mitchell-P044_A-10_1_3

to retire and converse with God, fam. Wor.
may lead themto respect the ordinance, and
produce in them habitual reverence for
sacred things, and a taste for the habitual and
orderly attendance on the more publick
wor. of God. It will keep the joys of the
fam. within due bounds, when the sum sun of
prosperity shines. Being reminded at the
seasons of fam. wor. that every good gift and
every perfect gift comes from the Father
of lights, they will not be elated with pride
under the idea of superior wisdom and
prudence in calculation. And if adversi-
ty should enter the dwelling to throw
grief and melancholy around, fam. wor.
will tend greatly to dispel the gloom, and
introduce reconciliation and serenity.
The value of fam. wor. will further appear, when
we consider, that it is to the pub. worship of God,
what a well kept nursery is to an orchard,
it will furnish plants to flourish in the
courts of our God. Those families, who are
trained up under the influence of fam. wor.
are the [things], which furnish the regular,
and orderly attendants at the publick
worship of God. They are generally the ones
who feel its value, and will aid in sustain-
ing it. Once more, fam. wor. is most
efficient aid to family government, and of
course to civil govern.; since the two are
so connected, that whatever tends to strengthen
the one, equally fortifies the other.
Where is the well regulated family, where the stranger
may see parental authority, religiously exercised,
and in return receive the fear, the love, the
obedience, the honnour due from the several
members? it is the family, where fam. wor. is a sacred
principle. And where is the well regulated civil
community? It is the com. that has the most of such families.