FAMILY READING by Editor

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, February 5, 1880

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 6

FAMILY READING.

By Editor

WE are happy to hear from one (Sister J. S. Olive, of Prescott, Wis.) who has commenced the course of reading recommended by the Conference. It seems the reading was commenced in this family before the special meeting of Dec. 21; but we would call attention to two points, (1.) The plan of reading early in the evening, when the family are alone and uninterrupted; (2.) The testimony that it makes every evening seem like a Sabbath evening. How can a family help growing in grace and in the knowledge of the truth, when a portion of each evening is devoted to the solemn worship of God and to learning his will? Is not this just what each family ought to do? Are others benefited? Let us hear from them. Sister O. says:—

We began reading “Spirit of Prophecy” in November, and have finished the first and second volumes. Since that, we have read the most of Testimony No. 29. Our plan has been to read the first thing after the family assemble at lamp-lighting; we read a chapter and then have family prayers. Then if any one comes in, or any of us wish to go out in the evening, we do not miss the reading or prayers. At first some of the younger ones seemed to get tired and impatient; but we insisted on having the youngest read two pages to begin with, though that is a trial to the rest; and I think we all read and hear with increasing interest, and the influence seems good. To me it makes every evening seem like a Sabbath evening, and the reading seems almost as good as a sermon. I had before read the greater part of the books aloud to the family, which detracts somewhat from the interest of the reading; but they are of sufficient importance to be re-read.