Those strains that once did sweet in Zion glide,
He wales a portion with judicious care;
And "Let us worship God," he says, with solemn air.--Burns.
The good and holy custom of family prayers is, I fear,
dropping into disuse. Our lives are so full of business that a season of
God's service in the morning and in the evening is almost thought to be
an excuse of sloth. But what a sad effect do we see on our youth! They
have quick eyes for cant and hypocrisy. They follow us to church on
Sunday less and less willingly, until finally there is rebellion in
their hearts and irreligion in their souls. Family worship is a fount of
piety pure enough for even the young, who are pure themselves. Into its
depths they look and see only a chastity of spirit reflected. The
machinery and the ambition that adulterate the true faith at the church
have not had their birth at the fireside of a good man. At that
fireside the child grows up religious, because he loves religion. It is
kind and good to him. His shrine is at home. And where can we ever build