Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 207

"And there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord." Gen. 12:8. See also Gen. 13:4; 21:33.

NOTE.-"The manner in which the family wors.h.i.+p is conducted is very important. It should be made so pleasant as to be looked forward to with gladness even by the youngest children. Too often it is made tedious, monotonous, or burdensome.... To make it dull and irksome is treason to true religion.... A few minutes given every day to preparation for family wors.h.i.+p will serve to make it, as it should be, the most pleasant and attractive incident of the day."-_"__Week-Day Religion,__"_ by J. R. Miller, D. D., pages 81-83.

10. What instruction suggests the giving of thanks for daily food?

"_In everything give thanks_: for this is the will of G.o.d in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thess. 5:18.

NOTE.-As a rule, children will reflect the life and principles manifested in their parents. The reason why so many children are irreverent, irreligious, and disobedient today is because their parents are so. Like parent like child. If parents would see a different state of things, they must themselves reform. They must bring G.o.d into their homes, and make His Word their counselor and guide. They must teach their children the fear of G.o.d, and that His Word is the voice of G.o.d addressed to them, and that it is to be implicitly obeyed. "In too many households prayer is neglected.... If ever there was a time when every house should be a house of prayer, it is now. Fathers and mothers should often lift up their hearts to G.o.d in humble supplication for themselves and their children. Let the father, as priest of the household, lay upon the altar of G.o.d the morning and evening sacrifice, while the wife and children unite in prayer and praise. In such a household Jesus will love to tarry."-_"__Christian Education,__"_ page 221.

Are all the children in? The night is falling, And storm-clouds gather in the threatening west; The lowing cattle seek a friendly shelter; The bird hies to her nest; The thunder crashes; wilder grows the tempest, And darkness settles o'er the fearful din; Come, shut the door, and gather round the hearthstone: Are all the children in?

Are all the children in? The night is falling, When gilded sin doth walk about the streets.

O, "at the last it biteth like a serpent"!

Poisoned are stolen sweets.

O mothers, guard the feet of inexperience, Too p.r.o.ne to wander in the paths of sin!

O, shut the door of love against temptation!

Are all the children in?

Are all the children in? The night is falling, The night of death is hastening on apace; The Lord is calling, "Enter thou thy chamber, And tarry there a s.p.a.ce."

And when He comes, the King in all His glory, Who died the shameful death our hearts to win, O, may the gates of heaven shut about us, With all the children in!

ELIZABETH ROSSER.

Honor Due To Parents

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Was.h.i.+ngton And His Mother. "Honor thy father and thy mother." Ex. 20:12.

1. By what is every child known?

"Even a child is known _by his doings_, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right." Prov. 20:11.

2. What is the duty of every child?

"My son, _hear the instruction of thy father_, and _forsake not the law of thy mother_." Prov. 1:8.

3. What does the fifth commandment require of children?

"_Honor thy father and thy mother_: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy G.o.d giveth thee." Ex. 20:12.

NOTE.-While this precept refers directly to our earthly parents, it also includes G.o.d, our Father in heaven; for in honoring them we honor Him. To the child too young to know G.o.d, the earthly parent takes the place of G.o.d. Learning to honor, respect, and obey his earthly parents is the child's first and most important lesson in learning to honor, respect, and obey G.o.d, his Heavenly Parent. Benjamin Franklin well said: "Let a child's first lesson be obedience, and the second may be what thou wilt."

4. For how long a time should one honor his parents?

"Harken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother _when she is old_." Prov. 23:22.

NOTE.-As long as parents live, they should be honored and respected by their children. The duty enjoined in the fifth commandment does not cease at maturity, nor when the child leaves the parental roof.

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Jesus With The Doctors In The Temple. "And He went down with them [His parents], and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them." Luke 2:51.

5. What is the character of a child who will not listen to his father's instruction?

"A _fool_ despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent." Prov. 15:5.

6. What course on the part of children is well-pleasing to the Lord?

"Children, _obey your parents in all things_: for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord." Col. 3:20.

7. In what spirit should children obey their parents?

"Children, obey your parents _in the Lord_: for this is right." Eph. 6:1.

8. What is one way in which a child may dishonor his parents?

"He that is _a companion of riotous men_ shameth his father." Prov. 28:7.

9. What is said of one who robs his father or his mother?

"Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; _the same is the companion of a destroyer_." Verse 24.

10. How did Jesus honor His parents?

"He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and _was subject unto them_." Luke 2:51.

11. How did the Jewish leaders in the days of Christ, for the sake of gain, make void the fifth commandment?

"But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, _It is a gift_, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of G.o.d of none effect by your tradition." Matt. 15:5, 6.