But what a sad effect do we see on our youth! They
have quick eyes for cant and hypocrisy. They follow us to church on
Sunday less and less willingly, until finally there is rebellion in
their hearts and irreligion in their souls. Family worship is a fount of
piety pure enough for even the young, who are pure themselves. Into its
depths they look and see only a chastity of spirit reflected. The
machinery and the ambition that adulterate the true faith at the church
have not had their birth at the fireside of a good man. At that
fireside the child grows up religious, because he loves religion. It is
kind and good to him. His shrine is at home. And where can we ever build
SO HOLY AN ALTAR
as at that sweet spot where life has come in upon us, and love been
wrapped around us! Burns sees the humble cotter finish his family
service in the presence of his little ones, and then, to show a further
duteous regard for the souls intrusted to his care, kneel again with the
wife:
The parent-pair their secret homage pay,
And proffer up to Heaven the warm request,
That he who stills the raven's clamorous nest,
And decks the lily fair in flowery pride.
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