S.G. Winchester

The Importance of Family Religion (Part 1)

GOD, the Creator of man, established the family constitution. 'God setteth the solitary in families,' Ps. 68:6. As to the design of this constitution, we are expressly informed in Malachi 2:15. 'And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the Spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a…

The Importance of Family Religion (Part 10)

4. This is a duty which; as parents, you owe to the community of which, you and your children form a part, and to the world in which we live. Your children are to be either blessings or curses to society, according as their principles, education, and habits are good or bad. Should they become,…

The Importance of Family Religion (Part 11)

WE come now to consider the remaining office devolving on the head of a family. In addition to that of governor and instructor, he is required to act the part of a priest to his family. I, of course, use the word 'priest' figuratively, inasmuch as there are now no sacrifices, in the proper sense of…

The Importance of Family Religion (Part 12)

The duty in question is fully settled by the authority of Holy Writ. :There is, indeed, no specific and formal command on the subject. This we had no reason to expect, any more than a formal injunction, requiring men to eat and sleep. The Scriptures do not stop to announce every thing which is…

The Importance of Family Religion (Part 13)

Let us now look at the examples of those eminent saints mentioned in Scripture, and see whether they thought the duty of family-worship obligatory or not. More was not required of them than of us; rather less was to be expected, as they had less light. 'Life and immortality were brought to light by…

The Importance of Family Religion (Part 14)

Perhaps the reader of these pages, is by this time, if not before, convinced of the great importance of the duty we have endeavoured to exhibit and of the obligation there is upon him, punctually and faithfully to discharge it. But there may arise in his mind particular difficulties, which hinder…

The Importance of Family Religion (Part 2)

The parent is the divinely constituted HEAD AND LORD of his family. The authority which he possesses is not usurped, but is delegated to him by the source of all authority. It belongs to the station which he occupies, and to which he has been called by the providence of God. He is invested with…

The Importance of Family Religion (Part 3)

The parent is invested with authority for some wise and special end, which looks beyond this world, and 'things temporal.' It is to accomplish the great purpose for which the family was constituted. It is true, that as a community and as individuals, we are greatly indebted to the domestic society,…

The Importance of Family Religion (Part 4)

THE head of a family should act the part of a PROPHET towards the rest of his household, and impart to them such instruction as is calculated to answer the purpose for which he is placed in honour and authority over them. Without such instruction, he can not, and ought not, to expect to accomplish…

The Importance of Family Religion (Part 5)

The term education, as it is commonly received, is too restricted in its signification. In its usual acceptation, it is applied to the acquisition of what may with propriety be called worldly information, as distinguished from spiritual knowledge; and to the training of the mind for the…

The Importance of Family Religion (Part 6)

But in addition to preceptive instruction, there must be superadded the force of corresponding example. The one will effect but little without the other. We are imitative creatures, and learn our earliest lessons, and receive our most enduring impressions through the eyes and not through the ears.…

The Importance of Family Religion (Part 7)

As the helplessness of a child, unable to defend itself from surrounding danger, makes a strong and effectual appeal to its parents for protection, so should its native ignorance, especially of the most important truths, and of those, a knowledge of which is essential to its well-being, both here…

The Importance of Family Religion (Part 8)

It may be proper in this place to notice briefly, the peculiar duties, advantages, and consequent responsibilities of MOTHERS, in regard to the education of their children. To its mother’s care and instruction, the first years of a child, are almost exclusively committed. She makes upon its infant…

The Importance of Family Religion (Part 9)

The obligations which rest upon parents to 'bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,' are numerous and weighty. Besides those already mentioned in a general way, we may specify, 1. The baptismal vows which they have assumed in behalf of their children. And lest any should…