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own。 His descendants were taught to look up to him as their head； in both
religious and secular matters。 This patriarchal system of government Abraham
endeavored to perpetuate； as it tended to preserve the knowledge of God。 It
was necessary to bind the members of the household together； in order to
build up a barrier against the idolatry that had become so widespread and so
deep…seated。 Abraham sought by every means in his power to guard the inmates
of his encampment against mingling with the heathen and witnessing their
idolatrous practices； for he knew that familiarity with evil would
insensibly corrupt the principles。 The greatest care was exercised to shut
out every form of false religion and to impress the mind with the majesty
and glory of the living God as the true object of worship。
It was a wise arrangement； which God Himself had made； to cut off His
people； so far as possible； from connection with the heathen； making them a
people dwelling alone； and not reckoned among the nations。 He had separated
Abraham from his idolatrous kindred； that the patriarch might train and
educate his family apart from the seductive influences which would have
surrounded
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them in Mesopotamia； and that the true faith might be preserved in its
purity by his descendants from generation to generation。
Abraham's affection for his children and his household led him to guard
their religious faith； to impart to them a knowledge of the divine statutes；
as the most precious legacy he could transmit to them； and through them to
the world。 All were taught that they were under the rule of the God of
heaven。 There was to be no oppression on the part of parents and no
disobedience on the part of children。 God's law had appointed to each his
duties； and only in obedience to it could any secure happiness or
prosperity。
His own example； the silent influence of his daily life； was a constant
lesson。 The unswerving integrity； the benevolence and unselfish courtesy；
which had won the admiration of kings； were displayed in the home。 There was
a fragrance about the life； a nobility and loveliness of character； which
revealed to all that he was connected with Heaven。 He did not neglect the
soul of the humblest servant。 In his household there was not one law for the
master and another for the servant； a royal way for the rich and another for
the poor。 All were treated with justice and compassion； as inheritors with
him of the grace of life。
〃He will command his 。 。 。 household。〃 There would be no sinful neglect to
restrain the evil propensities of his children； no weak； unwise； indulgent
favoritism； no yielding of his conviction of duty to the claims of mistaken
affection。 Abraham would not only give right instruction； but he would
maintain the authority of just and righteous laws。
How few there are in our day who follow this example！ On the part of too
many parents there is a blind and selfish sentimentalism； miscalled love；
which is manifested in leaving children； with their unformed judgment and
undisciplined passions； to the control of their own will。 This is the
veriest cruelty to the youth and a great wrong to the world。 Parental
indulgence causes disorder in families and in society。 It confirms in the
young the desire to follow inclination； instead of submitting to the divine
requirements。 Thus they grow up with a heart averse to doing God's will； and
they transmit their irreligious； insubordinate spirit to their children and
children's children。 Like Abraham； parents should command their households
after them。 Let obedience to
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parental authority be taught and enforced as the first step in obedience to
the authority of God。
The light esteem in which the law of God is held； even by religious leaders；
has been productive of great evil。 The teaching which has become so
widespread； that the divine statutes are no longer binding upon men； is the
same as idolatry in its effect upon the morals of the people。 Those who seek
to lessen the claims of God's holy law are striking directly at the
foundation of the government of families and nations。 Religious parents；
failing to walk in His statutes； do not command their household to keep the
way of the Lord。 The law of God is not made the rule of life。 The children；
as they make homes of their own； feel under no obligation to teach their
children what they themselves have never been taught。 And this is why there
are so many godless families； this is why depravity is so deep and
widespread。
Not until parents themselves walk in the law of the Lord with perfect hearts
will they be prepared to command their children after them。 A reformation in
this respect is neededa reformation which shall be deep and broad。 Parents
need to reform； ministers need to reform； they need God in their households。
If they would see a different state of things； they must bring His word into
their families and must make it their counselor。 They must teach their
children that it is the voice of God addressed to them； and is to be
implicitly obeyed。 They should patiently instruct their children； kindly and
untiringly teach them how to live in order to please God。 The children of
such a household are prepared to meet the sophistries of infidelity。 They
have accepted the Bible as the basis of their faith； and they have a
foundation that cannot be swept away by the incoming tide of skepticism。
In too many households prayer is neglected。 Parents feel that they have no
time for morning and evening worship。 They cannot spare a few moments to be
spent in thanksgiving to God for His abundant merciesfor the blessed
sunshine and the showers of rain； which cause vegetation to flourish； and
for the guardianship of holy angels。 They have no time to offer prayer for
divine help and guidance and for the abiding presence of Jesus in the
household。 They go forth to labor as the ox or the horse goes； without one
thought of God or heaven。 They have souls so precious that rather than
permit them to be hopelessly lost； the Son of God gave His life to ransom
them； but they have little more
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appreciation of His great goodness than have the beasts that perish。
Like the patriarchs of old； those who profess to love God should erect an
altar to the Lord wherever they pitch their tent。 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 God in humble supplication for
themselves and their children。 Let the father； as priest of the household；
lay upon the altar of God the morning and evening sacrifice； while the wife
and children unite in prayer and praise。 In such a household Jesus will love
to tarry。
From every Christian home a holy light should shine forth。 Love should be
revealed in action。 It should flow out in all home intercourse； showing
itself in thoughtful kindness； in gentle； unselfish courtesy。 There are
homes where this principle is carried outhomes where God is worshiped and
truest love reigns。 From these homes morning and evening prayer ascends to
God as sweet incens