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A Little Church in the Home, October 25
Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy
friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee,
and hath had compassion on thee.
Mark 5:19
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In forming a relationship with Christ, the renewed man is but coming
back to his appointed relationship with God. He is a representative of
Christ.... His duties lie around him, nigh and afar off. His first duty is
to his children and his nearest relatives. Nothing can excuse him from
neglecting the inner circle for the larger circle outside. In the day of final
reckoning fathers and mothers will be required to answer in regard to
their children. Parents will be asked what they did and said to secure
the salvation of the souls they took upon themselves the responsibility of
bringing into the world....
Fathers and mothers, are you allowing your children to grow up in
impurity and sin? A great good done for others will not cancel the debt
you owe to God to care for your children. The spiritual welfare of your
family comes first. Take them with you to the cross of Calvary, laboring
for them as those that must give an account.
Parents should seek to gain the cooperation of their children. Thus
children can become laborers together with God. Some households have a
little church in their home. Mutual love binds heart to heart, and the unity
that exists among the members of the family preaches the most effectual
sermon that could be preached on practical godliness.
As parents faithfully do their duty in the family, restraining, correcting,
advising, counseling, guiding, the father as priest of the household, the
mother as a home missionary, they are filling the sphere God would have
them fill. By faithfully doing their duty in the home, they are multiplying
agencies for doing good outside the home. They are becoming better fitted
to labor in the church. By training their little flock discreetly, binding their
children to themselves and to God, fathers and mothers become laborers
together with God.... The members of the family become members of the
royal family above, children of the heavenly King.
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