The most illustrious statesmen, the most distinguished warriors, the most eloquent ministers, and the greatest benefactors of human kind, owe their greatness to the fostering influence of home.  Napoleon knew and felt this when he said, “What France wants is good mothers, and you may be sure then that France will have good sons.”  The homes of the American revolution made the men of the revolution.  Their influence reaches yet far into the inmost frame and constitution of our glorious republic.  It controls the fountains of her power, forms the character of her citizens and statesmen, and shapes our destiny as a people.  Did not the Spartan mother and her home give character to the Spartan nation?  Her lessons to her child infused the iron nerve into the heart of that nation, and caused her sons, in the wild tumult of battle, “either to live behind their shields, or to die upon them!” Her influence fired them with a patriotism which was stronger than death.  Had it been hallowed by the pure spirit and principles of Christianity, what a power for good it would have been!

But alas! the home of an Aspasia had not the heart and ornaments of the Christian family.  Though “the monuments of Cornelia’s virtues were the character of her children,” yet these were not “the ornaments of a quiet spirit.”  Had the central heart of the Spartan home been that of the Christian mother, the Spartan nation would now perhaps adorn the brightest page of history.

But the family, whether Christian or heathen, exerts an overwhelming influence over the state.  It is on the family altar that the fire of patriotism is first kindled, and often, too, by a mother’s hand.

  “It hath led the freeman forth to stand
  In the mountain battles of his land;
  It hath brought the wanderer o’er the seas,
  To die on the hills of his own fresh breeze.”

The same, too, may be said of the influence of home on the church.  It is the nursery of the church, lays the foundation of her membership, and conditions the character of her members.  The most faithful of her ministers and members are those generally who have been trained up in the most faithful families.  Wherever there is the greatest number of such homes, there the church enjoys the greatest prosperity.

What a fearful responsibility must rest, therefore upon the Christian home!  If its influence is for good or for evil, for weal or for woe, for heaven or for hell; if it is either a powerful emissary of Satan for the soul’s destruction, or an efficient agent of God for the soul’s salvation, then how responsible are those who wield this influence!

  “Upon thy heart is laid a spell,
  Holy and precious—­oh! guard it well!”