Page:Heaven Revealed.djvu/273

 actions; for then we shall be able to lead our children by their affections, as the angels do. We must endeavor to shield them against all corrupting influences, and to surround them by such a sweet and heavenly atmosphere as will strengthen all their good affections and stifle all the bad.

Such is the instruction which the new revelation on this subject suggests and emphasizes, by showing us in what way children are trained in heaven, and the happy results thereby attained. It shows us how the growth of their hereditary evils may be checked, and thus prevented from becoming actual sins. And how it enforces the duty of striving to make the home of our children a little heaven on earth! How it entreats us to suffer nothing "that defileth or worketh abomination or maketh a lie," ever to enter there! It tells us as in loud trumpet-tones, that all harsh and uncharitable judgments, all angry looks, resentful feelings and evil speaking, all impatience, discontent, discord and moroseness should be banished thence as soul-destroying fiends;—that the domestic altar should be shielded from every taint of sin as from a wasting pestilence,—swept clean of evil thoughts and words as of the seeds of death;—that it should be guarded and kept as the Holy of Holies where resteth the ark of God's covenant, where truth and purity and peace go hand in hand, and all are encircled with religion and love as with beautiful shining robes.

See how the Old and the New doctrine on this subject appear, when placed side by side! Look at them in the light of Scripture and reason and the revealed character of the Heavenly Father. Which has the stamp of truth