The Christian Home How To Have A Family Altar
by E lizabeth W a lk e r Strachan
S omething very wonderful hap pens to a woman the day she becomes a mother. It is impos sible to describe it, but there sweeps over her an overwhelming desire to be for, and to do for, this little baby all that is best. We have a Mother’s Day to commemorate the innumerable daily sacrifices and the wearying hours of labor that most mothers give to fulfill that deep desire. But possibly one of the saddest things in the world is that blind mother who gives so much but who never gives that which is truly best. One is reminded of the foolish girl who was given a two-carat diamond which came in a beautiful little box. The girl put all of her delight and attention on the little dollar box and utterly ignored the valuable jewel within. However, that is not nearly so absurd or tragic as the sight of an eager mother, giving infinite pains to the clothing and health of her child, yet ignoring the immortal soul within that some day will have to stand before its Maker. We all want to be good, success ful parents. But who are the truly good, successful parents? If we pause to think, I’m sure we’ll agree that the only true measure of suc cess is if our children grow up to be pleasing in God’s sight, if they grow up to obey that first and great commandment—to love the Lord their God with all their heart, and with all their soul, and with all their mind. If we succeed here and fail in all else, we are still good parents; and by the same token, if we succeed in all else but fail here, we are of all parents most miser able. After such a solemn thought, one feels like bowing in God’s pres ence and pleading for a new supply of His enabling grace. How could such a high and holy aim ever be achieved? How have parents in the past produced godly children? Without hesitation, I’m sure we would agree from observa-
tion that by far the two greatest factors in a parental Christian heri tage are prayer and holy living. There is absolutely nothing that a parent can bequeath his children comparable to earnest, daily, fer vent prayers in their behalf cou pled with a memory of holy, exem plary living. The richest children in the world are the children of praying parents who live before them humble, sincere, loving, Spir it-filled lives. The above is ever so much more important than what follows. Not withstanding, there is yet something else that parents can do to fulfill their dream of raising their chil dren in the fear and nurture of the Lord. Moses spoke about it to the children of Israel when he coun seled them: “ . . . these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deut. 6:6, 7). When parents obey this command ment, they have in their homes the ideal family altar. All families are different and are run along different lines. However, most families can be divided into one of two groups: the traditional ist-type of a family that is run on system and order and schedule, and the casual type that likes variety and finds it difficult to plan two days alike. Most people agree that the former way should be one’s aim, and yet a great many of us, for better or for worse, find our selves in the second group. Such a family finds it difficult, if not im possible, to follow a routine sort of a family altar or family prayers. However, the important thing is that in our homes our children should become saturated with the wonderful law of God—the Word of God (apart from what they may
get from church or outside Chris tian influences). To make this practical, I would like to list various methods. Each family can adapt them to its own particular regime, can change from one method to another as we do frequently or can find a good meth od, time and place and follow it for years. 1. Probably the most common type of family altar (used in Eisen hower’s boyhood home) is that of a simple evening worship service. This is usually made up of singing, short Bible reading with a word or two of practical application and one or two short prayers. I mention short several times because it is im portant. Someone noticed that in the Book of Revelation it says that there was quiet in heaven for the space of a half hour. If in heaven even the angels are quiet for only half hour periods, we shouldn’t ex pect too much of small, wiggling children. Remember, our aim is that our children shall love the Lord their God. 2. Other families read a Psalm or brief passage around the breakfast table, before or after the meal. 3. Some families follow certain books such as Vance Havner’s Day By Day or Ken Taylor’s Devotions For The Children’s Hour. We vis ited in one home where there were five husky boys. It was a wonder ful experience to see the family of seven go into the living room be fore breakfast, read the devotional booklet Seek with accompanying Scripture passage and then all kneel down for a word of prayer. What a splendid way to prepare one’s boys for the opportunities and dangers of a new day. 4. A few families are strong on memory work. Most of uS have heard the little couplet “ Richer than I you can never be, for I had a Mother that read to me.” I’ve often thought that another true CONTINUED 43
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