A Snapshot of Family Worship

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VirginiaHuguenot

Puritanboard Librarian
The Family Altar: Or, The Duty, Benefits, and Mode of Conducting Family Worship (1844), pp. 65-67:

Another, and perhaps better way, is to make the members of the family supply the commentary themselves. This evening, before it is so late that you are all sleepy, you sit round the table, each with his Bible open before him; and the passage selected is Isa 45.

'Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two-leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut.'

Father. The prophet has been foretelling the fall of Babylon, and here he names its conqueror. Mary, what is his name?

Mary. Cyrus.

Father. Does any one know how long after this it was before Cyrus made his appearance? Can no one tell? George, your Bible has got the date on its margin. Can you tell when Isaiah uttered this prophecy?

George. About 712 years before Christ.

Father. Now if you will look to the beginning of Ezra, you will see the first year of Cyrus set down there.

George. Before Christ 536.

Father. Then how long before had the Lord called Cyrus by his name?

George. Nearly 200 years.

Father. It is not very long since John and Henry finished the Life of Cyrus. Do you remember any facts which illustrate this prophecy?

Henry. The Lord says, 'I have holden his right hand to subdue nations before him.' Cyrus subdued the Lydians with their rich King Croesus, the Phrygians, the Phoenicians, and many more, as well as the Babylonians.

John. Yes; and when he took Babylon, 'the gates were not shut.' For the people were all drinking and diverting themselves, when he dried up the river; and had forgot to shut the gates at the end of the streets which open into the river—so that Cyrus had nothing to do but march down the dry channel, and then climb up the banks into the city.

Father. Very true—but do you remember nothing more about 'opening the two-leaved gates?'

Henry. O, yes! When the King of Babylon heard the uproar in the city, he sent to find out what was the matter, and when they were opening the palace gates, to let out the king's messenger, the Persians rushed in and killed the king.

Try to bring out some lesson that may be needed that very day. You read at morning worship that verse, 1 Cor 10:31.

'Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.'

Father. What does that mean?

John. That every thing, however little, we are to do it so as to please God.

Father. Quite so. It means that you children, when learning your lessons, or at play—that Sarah down stairs, and your father in his counting-room, should all remember that we have a Father in heaven, and should do every thing, the little things and the great things, in the way that pleases Him.

The passage which you mean to read with your family, read carefully over beforehand; and consider what are its most striking points and most useful lessons; and a little practice will make you a good family expositor.
 
The passage which you mean to read with your family, read carefully over beforehand; and consider what are its most striking points and most useful lessons; and a little practice will make you a good family expositor.
That is great, practical advice.
 
The passage which you mean to read with your family, read carefully over beforehand; and consider what are its most striking points and most useful lessons; and a little practice will make you a good family expositor.
That is great, practical advice.

Yes, indeed, and it is something that I personally need to apply more faithfully.
 
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