Chapter 7: The Deeper Meaning of Marriage 5. Religion Shared in the Home

The religious life of the home should be higher and deeper than all creeds or ceremonies, as the husband and wife share in their thinking about the meaning of life, and about the truth, beauty, love, and wisdom that are beyond, beneath and within all things. Their religion must not be a formality which they go through, careless-hearted and uninspired, for the real religion of the home is the sum and substance of its highest ideals and of its deepest love.

"Religion at its best burns like an altar fire in the home and God is the unseen guest day and night. Such an experience may seem difficult of realization, and it is, but not so difficult as appears. It requires daily consecration, daily thoughtfulness and daily `practice of the Presence of God! . . . Long experience has shown that the home is more stable when the husband and wife keep their ideals by God's strength; when children learn to pray at their mother's knee; when the family go to church together as a family custom and as a conscious participation in community life. The child needs the divinest home earth can offer. He thrives best in settled ways, where life is on a high plane. He lives by love as much as by food and drink."

What is said here about the child is equally true of grown people, who, from this point of view, are simply children of a larger growth. The world is sometimes cold. We need our hearts warmed at home. When life is hard we need a refuge where hearts are responsive. The parent also, or the newly married person, lives by love as much as by food and drink.

Practical results of religion in family success have been indicated in a striking way in a number of studies that have been made and by careful observation. These studies have shown that divorce is almost negligible in homes in which the husband and wife are regular in their church duties. Time taken for private and family prayer and for attendance upon public worship is time spent in building up the spiritual strength of the family. These habits bring the individual and the family into an atmosphere in which appreciation, forbearance and mutual devotion are cultivated, and a critical and unforgiving spirit is out of place.

One would say to homemakers: "Never let religion be an occasion for unkindness, intolerance, or prejudice against each other, or against any human soul. Honor all good people, whether of your creed or of some other. So far as you have ability and opportunity, work with all who in any way are striving to advance human good. Your family is part of a world of families. Help lift the general level.

"If creeds and forms that are presented to you as embodying religion do not satisfy or convince you, look for the truth and beauty that are deeper than all forms. If your church is imperfect try to make it more perfect through your influence in it. Do not throw stones of criticism at those who are trying to make the world better. Help them, and carry on a little demonstration of human betterment at home."

The great and wonderful stream of life comes out of the past and flows through us toward future generations. We are heirs of all the ages yet we must take up our inheritance and prepare to pass it on not only unimpaired but built up and revitalized. If in our families we work together, with devotion to each other, with reverence for the great gift of life, and in harmony with God, we shall not fail to find the highest possible good.