Front matter
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Preface
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In presenting this volume to the public, we have no apology to offer, unless it be for the imperfect manner in which we have actualized the true ideal of the Christian Home. The idea of the Family which we have endeavored to develop and illustrate in these consecutive Home-scenes of the New Testa¬ ment, we regard as essentially connected with all social progress and Christian civilization.
The Family as a Divine Ordinance, is the first and most influential school of man. Here must ever abide the deepest springs of Social Life. No extraneous education, whether in the week-day or Sabbath school, can be substituted for Home culture and training. The greatest privileges and most sacred responsibilities find their basis here; and we are taught first, “to show piety at Home.”
The Family, it is said, is the first element of society. The Home is an institution, “forecast in the very peculiarities of our nature.” It is the foundation of all society. It em¬ bosoms the germ and ideal of the state. It is the nursery of the Church.
In our age of manifold voluntary associations, and the multiplied agencies for reform and social progress, there is, we think, an obvious tendency to neglect this radical school of 1 * ( v )
VI
PREFACE.
childhood, this primordial institution for the advancement of our race in all social virtues and Christian perfection.
What we need more than any thing else, is home-religion — parental authority religiously directed — home - training and discipline—home-happiness and purity. Upon the sanctity of the domestic relations, the intensity of its sympathies, the inviolability of its rights, the sacredness of its responsibilities— upon these, more than upon any other instrumental agencies, must depend the moral purity and elevation of society, the enlargement of the Christian Church, and the consequent education of our race for glory and immortality. Truly and beautifully has the Christian poet sung : —
“Domestic Happiness, thou only bliss Of Paradise that hast survived the fall! ******
Thou art the nurse of virtue — in thine arms She dwells, appearing, as in truth she is,
Heaven-born, and destined to the skies again.” —Cowper.
We are conscious, deeply conscious of the inadequacy of these discussions to the importance of the subject. But we fondly hope that this earnest plea for home-affections and piety — these suggestions upon topics of such intense personal and general interest — these “Home-scenes” — may with the Divine blessing be conducive to the great end of the Gospel, the renewal of the soul and the redemption of the home.
Philadelphia, December , 1856.
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CHAPTER I. Inmt
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MEMORY OF OUR CHILDHOOD.
THE TRUE IDEAL OF HOME.
THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY.
THE LAW OF THE HOUSE.
ORGANIC UNITY OF THE FAMILY.
HOME, THE NORMAL SCHOOL OF CHILDHOOD
CHURCH OF CHILDHOOD.*.
CHRISTIAN HOMES.
FACTS. .
THE CHURCH IN THE HOUSE.
PACE
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(vii)
PAGE
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SOMETHING PECULIAR AND DISTINCTIVE IN THIS HOME-
SCENE.
TWO PICTURES...
BETHLEHEM AND THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT.
CHRISTIANITY THE GUARDIAN OF CHILDHOOD.
FRIENDLESS AND HOMELESS CHILDREN..
MARY ; OR, THE TRUE IDEAL OF A CHRISTIAN MOTHER.
THE MOTHER AND THE CHILD..
THE MATERNAL RELATION...
THE CHILD.
HOME-SCENE... .
APPEAL TO MOTHERS. .
OUR COUNTRY.
THE MOTHER’S REWARD.
CHATEAUBRIAND AND IIIS MOTHER..,.
DEATH-SCENE.
IX
Chapter III. Page
EARTH’S EIRST BRIDAL. 100
MARRIAGE IN CANA. 110
STEPS TO THE MARRIAGE-ALTAR. 113
YOUTHFUL LOVE AND COURTSHIP. 116
SUGGESTIONS. 119
THE BRIDAL CEREMONIAL. 121
THE NEW HOME. 129
WEDDED LOYE. 132
LAST GLANCE AT THE CANA FESTIVAL. 139
THE MORAL END OF MARRIAGE. 140
Chapter IV. Religious Character Of Cornelius. 144
UNION OF DEVOTION AND MORALITY. 146
X
THE DUTY OP FAMILY WORSHIP.
SEASONS AND CONSTITUENT PARTS OP FAMILY WORSHIP
THE SEASONS OF DOMESTIC WORSHIP.
MORNING WORSHIP.
EVENING WORSHIP.
THE BLESSINGS OF FAMILY WORSHIP.
THE INFIDEL CONVERTED .
A FAMILY CONVERTED.
FAMILY PRAYER ESTABLISHED BY A CHILD.
THE DISCOURAGED FATHER.
PAGE
FAMILY CARES.
DOMESTIC TRIALS. 224
HEAVENLY PEACE. 225
MARTHA, OR HOME CARES. 229
MARY, OR SPIRITUAL REPOSE. 236
BEAUTIFUL ATTITUDE OF MARY. 239
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THE ONE THING NEEDFUL. 243
Xll
IV. Domestic Afflictions
THE SHADED HOME.
SICKNESS.
THE VIGILS OF LOVE.
THE MESSAGE TO JESUS.
THE DEATH OF LAZARUS.
BENEFITS OF AFFLICTION.
DEATH IN THE FAMILY.....
LIGHT IN THE HOME OF BETHANY.
INTERVIEW BETWEEN JESUS AND THE SISTERS... THE RESURRECTION SCENE.
PAGE!
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