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Thoughts on Family Worship
A classic book on the importance of an often-neglected duty, Thoughts on Family Worship by James W. Alexander focuses on the many benefits of daily worship as it strengthens minds and cultivates personal piety among both parents and children. The author further shows how family worship influences our churches and society, perpetuating sound doctrine and leaving a legacy for posterity. Alexander gives practical directions for conducting family worship, discussing in detail such things as the place of Scripture reading, prayer, and praise. He is aware, however, of the difficulties of maintaining family worship and answers several common objections to it. If you struggle to hold times of worship with your family, or even if you simply desire some encouragement in the practice, this book is sure to provide the words of counsel you need. 'In the hurry of our great cities, it is painful to observe the preference given to mammon over God. Look at the living tide which rolls every morning down such a thoroughfare as Broadway! A stranger might be forgiven if he supposed that the life of each breathless banker, merchant, or clerk depended on his reaching the commercial latitudes within a certain minute. But how many of these have prayed with their families? Some, I rejoice to believe; but the mass have no time for anything but the world. Unless men will lose their own souls, and jeopardize the souls of their children, they must take time for God. And the more busy, exhausting, and absorbing any man's days are, the more he needs the deliberate abstraction of a quiet devotional hour, such as that of family worship.' - James W. Alexander Table of
The Nature, Warrant, and History of Family Worship
The Influence of Family Worship on Individual Piety
The Influence of Family Worship on Parents
The Influence of Family Worship on Children
Family Worship as a Means of Intellectual Improvement
The Influence of Family Worship on Domestic Harmony and Love
The Influence of Family Worship on a Household in Affliction
The Influence of Family Worship on Visitors, Guests, and Neighbors
The Influence of Family Worship in Perpetuating Sound Doctrine
The Influence of Family Worship on the Church
The Influence of Family Worship on the Commonwealth
The Influence of Family Worship on Posterity
Practical Directions as the Mode of Conducting Family Worship
The Reading of Scripture as a Part of Family Worship
Psalmody as a Part of Family Worship
The Householder Exhorted to the Duty of Family Worship
Difficulties, Objections, and Conclusion
The Nature, Warrant, and History of Family Worship
The Influence of Family Worship on Individual Piety
The Influence of Family Worship on Parents
The Influence of Family Worship on Children
Family Worship as a Means of Intellectual Improvement
The Influence of Family Worship on Domestic Harmony and Love
The Influence of Family Worship on a Household in Affliction
The Influence of Family Worship on Visitors, Guests, and Neighbors
The Influence of Family Worship in Perpetuating Sound Doctrine
The Influence of Family Worship on the Church
The Influence of Family Worship on the Commonwealth
The Influence of Family Worship on Posterity
Practical Directions as the Mode of Conducting Family Worship
The Reading of Scripture as a Part of Family Worship
Psalmody as a Part of Family Worship
The Householder Exhorted to the Duty of Family Worship
Difficulties, Objections, and Conclusion
160 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 1847
35 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 28, 2015
This is the best book I have read on family worship. The reason for this is because Alexander gives a theological basis and also a logical basis for why family worship is biblical and impactful. He reveals how family worship increases individual piety within the home. Family worship also has a profound impact on parents, children, guest, and neighbors (Alexander takes 4 chapters to discuss this). Perhaps my favorite two chapters were when Alexander reveals that family worship is a means of intellectual improvement for individuals within the home, and also brings about domestic harmony within the household. These two chapters were both beautiful and convincing. He addresses many other aspects of family worship, but hopefully this will suffice for getting you to purchase the book and reading it for yourself.
January 1, 2023
Helpful primer on the far too ignored subject of family worship. One of the few titles dealing exclusively with this subject, Alexander gives scriptural support and encouragement for why this lost practice must be recovered.
May 11, 2017
This is a wonderful book. It is far more organized than the title would lead one to believe. It is not random “thoughts” on family worship; it is a systematic presentation of this gravely neglected duty by way of Scriptural arguments on the nature of the family, the church, the covenant, and worship.
After presenting a thoroughly Biblical case for the practice and Christian duty of family worship in Chapter 1, Alexander proceeds to demonstrate, both from Biblical precept and living examples, the various benefits of family worship. So, for instance, he discusses the influence of family worship on individual piety, on parents, children, on domestic harmony, on the church, on the nation, on posterity, etc. These chapters are filled with amazing practical wisdom.
He then concludes the work with some suggestions on how most effectively to conduct family worship. Yet he is cautious not to set down any hard and fast rules because he recognizes Christian liberty and the fact that each family has its own set of circumstances.
The force of Alexander's work obviously comes from real life. The work is dedicated to his parents, “by whose hands I was first led to family-worship.” A cursory look at Alexander's ancestry find several preceding generations training up their children in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.” One could look at Alexander's own descendants and see the familial piety continuing. It is plain as day that nothing in the book is merely theoretical. When Alexander speaks of the holy influence of family worship on domestic tranquility (i.e., husbands and wives living peaceably and affectionately, children living in respect and honor for their parents and in love and respect for siblings), it is obvious that these are statement made from experience, not from ivory tower speculations. He knows by personal experience the love that is engendered between spouses when they pray with and for each other. He knows by personal experience the peace and love that obtains between siblings that pray with and for each other. He knows the personal piety that is produced by sitting daily under the reading of God's word. This is conveyed in many subtle ways. For one, his high respect for the practice is hinted at by the fact that he always writes it as “Family-Worship.” Secondly, the authority with which he writes can only come from personal experience.
There are a few features of the book that don't have much relevance to the contemporary reader. He is clearly writing in an agricultural society, so he expects that families will have long work days, but which will follow a highly regular schedule, hence he anticipates no difficulty on gathering the whole family to prayer early each morning and gathering everyone again each evening for family-worship. He does not anticipate someone working 3rd shift, but neither does he anticipate someone working 1st shift either. He recommends that family-worship be done in the evening before dinner because waiting till after dinner means dealing with a tired head of the home, tired farm hands and servants, and tired children. For most of us, this is not an issue. We are not usually eating dinner at 9 PM, nor are we exhausted from 12 hours of 19th century farm labor. Nevertheless, many of the suggestions he makes to cope with such situations are clearly transferable to our contemporary situations.
James Waddel Alexander has done the Church a great service in writing this book.
After presenting a thoroughly Biblical case for the practice and Christian duty of family worship in Chapter 1, Alexander proceeds to demonstrate, both from Biblical precept and living examples, the various benefits of family worship. So, for instance, he discusses the influence of family worship on individual piety, on parents, children, on domestic harmony, on the church, on the nation, on posterity, etc. These chapters are filled with amazing practical wisdom.
He then concludes the work with some suggestions on how most effectively to conduct family worship. Yet he is cautious not to set down any hard and fast rules because he recognizes Christian liberty and the fact that each family has its own set of circumstances.
The force of Alexander's work obviously comes from real life. The work is dedicated to his parents, “by whose hands I was first led to family-worship.” A cursory look at Alexander's ancestry find several preceding generations training up their children in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.” One could look at Alexander's own descendants and see the familial piety continuing. It is plain as day that nothing in the book is merely theoretical. When Alexander speaks of the holy influence of family worship on domestic tranquility (i.e., husbands and wives living peaceably and affectionately, children living in respect and honor for their parents and in love and respect for siblings), it is obvious that these are statement made from experience, not from ivory tower speculations. He knows by personal experience the love that is engendered between spouses when they pray with and for each other. He knows by personal experience the peace and love that obtains between siblings that pray with and for each other. He knows the personal piety that is produced by sitting daily under the reading of God's word. This is conveyed in many subtle ways. For one, his high respect for the practice is hinted at by the fact that he always writes it as “Family-Worship.” Secondly, the authority with which he writes can only come from personal experience.
There are a few features of the book that don't have much relevance to the contemporary reader. He is clearly writing in an agricultural society, so he expects that families will have long work days, but which will follow a highly regular schedule, hence he anticipates no difficulty on gathering the whole family to prayer early each morning and gathering everyone again each evening for family-worship. He does not anticipate someone working 3rd shift, but neither does he anticipate someone working 1st shift either. He recommends that family-worship be done in the evening before dinner because waiting till after dinner means dealing with a tired head of the home, tired farm hands and servants, and tired children. For most of us, this is not an issue. We are not usually eating dinner at 9 PM, nor are we exhausted from 12 hours of 19th century farm labor. Nevertheless, many of the suggestions he makes to cope with such situations are clearly transferable to our contemporary situations.
James Waddel Alexander has done the Church a great service in writing this book.
April 28, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
Thoughts on Family Worship. James W. Alexander. Philadelphia, PA: Presbyterian Board of Publication. 1847. 260 pp.
It is lamentable that the practice of domestic or family Bible studies looks like an alien culture in Philippine Christianity. What covers for it seems to be the weekly small group homogenous Bible studies. But these small group gatherings do not cut it for the promotion of domestic religion. Rev. James W. Alexander penned this book with the intention of persuading Christians to practice the lost practice of domestic religion beginning with maintaining a daily family worship. Every chapter is a dense goldmine of wisdom and instruction. Every chapter title gives away the summary of the chapter like "The Influence of Family Worship on Individual Piety" or "The Influence of Family Worship on Children."
Rev. Alexander wrote at “a period when the world is every day making new inroads on the church, it has especially invaded the household.” The marked impact of his day is the neglect of domestic religion. The expressed intention of this book was to awaken “heads of families, communicants in our churches, and
(according to a scarcely credible report) some ruling elders and deacons, who maintain no stated daily service of God in their dwellings” to the duty of family worship.
This book is astounding in its wisdom and persuasion. Readers who love to collect powerful quotes will have a field day with this book.
The first chapter is a solid presentation on "The Nature, Warrant, and History of Family Worship" where it focused on discussing the Judeo-Christian roots of family worship. Rev. Alexander states, "the universal voice of the Church in its best periods has been in favor of family worship."
The succeeding chapters present the utility of family worship as it relates to its influences -
- On individual piety
- On parents
- On children
- As a means of Intellectual improvement
- Domestic harmony and love
- On a household in affliction
- On visitors, guests and neighbours
- In perpetuating sound doctrine
- On the Church
- On the Commonwealth
- On posterity
The remaining chapters centered on practical concerns on its implementation.
This book is a constant aid in my family's practice of family worship. I make sure I get to read a chapter once in a while to rekindle dying motivation.
You can download an old copy here https://books.google.com.ph/books/abo...
Or you can order from Amazon the one published by Soli Deo Gloria Publication here https://www.amazon.com/Thoughts-Famil...
Thoughts on Family Worship. James W. Alexander. Philadelphia, PA: Presbyterian Board of Publication. 1847. 260 pp.
It is lamentable that the practice of domestic or family Bible studies looks like an alien culture in Philippine Christianity. What covers for it seems to be the weekly small group homogenous Bible studies. But these small group gatherings do not cut it for the promotion of domestic religion. Rev. James W. Alexander penned this book with the intention of persuading Christians to practice the lost practice of domestic religion beginning with maintaining a daily family worship. Every chapter is a dense goldmine of wisdom and instruction. Every chapter title gives away the summary of the chapter like "The Influence of Family Worship on Individual Piety" or "The Influence of Family Worship on Children."
Rev. Alexander wrote at “a period when the world is every day making new inroads on the church, it has especially invaded the household.” The marked impact of his day is the neglect of domestic religion. The expressed intention of this book was to awaken “heads of families, communicants in our churches, and
(according to a scarcely credible report) some ruling elders and deacons, who maintain no stated daily service of God in their dwellings” to the duty of family worship.
This book is astounding in its wisdom and persuasion. Readers who love to collect powerful quotes will have a field day with this book.
The first chapter is a solid presentation on "The Nature, Warrant, and History of Family Worship" where it focused on discussing the Judeo-Christian roots of family worship. Rev. Alexander states, "the universal voice of the Church in its best periods has been in favor of family worship."
The succeeding chapters present the utility of family worship as it relates to its influences -
- On individual piety
- On parents
- On children
- As a means of Intellectual improvement
- Domestic harmony and love
- On a household in affliction
- On visitors, guests and neighbours
- In perpetuating sound doctrine
- On the Church
- On the Commonwealth
- On posterity
The remaining chapters centered on practical concerns on its implementation.
This book is a constant aid in my family's practice of family worship. I make sure I get to read a chapter once in a while to rekindle dying motivation.
You can download an old copy here https://books.google.com.ph/books/abo...
Or you can order from Amazon the one published by Soli Deo Gloria Publication here https://www.amazon.com/Thoughts-Famil...
September 9, 2021
This book was highly recommended to me by a pastor friend and mentor I greatly respect. This book did not disappoint. This was probably the greatest little book on family worship I’ve ever read. Written by James Alexander, the oldest son of Archibald Alexander, he served as a professor at Princeton Theological Seminary and became one of the most famous Presbyterian preachers of his generation (1804-1859). Alexander helped me see how much I have to grow as a husband and father in leading my family in daily family worship to God. He uses much Bible, and practical Christian principles throughout the book that help paint a very black-and-white picture of why it is so important to daily worship God together as families no matter how small or large, no matter how old or young your children. Here is just one section that really stood out to me at the end to wet your appetite:
“ Unless men will lose their own souls, and jeopard the souls of their children, they must take time for God. And the more busy, exhausting, and absorbing any man’s days are, the more he needs the deliberate abstraction of a quiet devotional hour, such as that of family worship.”
“ Unless men will lose their own souls, and jeopard the souls of their children, they must take time for God. And the more busy, exhausting, and absorbing any man’s days are, the more he needs the deliberate abstraction of a quiet devotional hour, such as that of family worship.”
July 20, 2024
I can't think of a better work on the subject than this little volume by J.W. Alexander. Family worship is a much neglected spiritual discipline that the church would do well teaching fathers to recover it. Alexander takes note of the effect of family worship on the Scottish peasantry and the Presbyterian forefathers in the British Isles and in the American context too. Many families where there were few books and very little prowess for reading could memorize massive swathes of Scripture because of this discipline. Alexander gives biblical foundations for family worship, answers questions for those who won't do family worship in the home, and advice for elements of family worship. He has chapters on Psalmody in family worship, Bible reading in family worship, and other ways to structure and strive to grow in family worship. The work is easily read too in an accessible style that's not stuffy at all for a 19th century work. I could easily give this to a father in the church who is implementing family worship or is seeking to be faithful to the Scripture by implementing family worship. Highly recommend this little work!
January 7, 2018
Excellent and challenging. The book is timeless even if it was written in a period where people had slaves - he wisely approached that subject as well. His questions are searching, and if many people in our churches would read it and apply to their lives, we would call it 'revival' - as the author himself does. What is sad, that he wrote it in the middle of the 19th century, complaining about the state of things in his day, and we certainly did not come back on the right track, it is even worse today than it was in his day. For more modern & practical approach, read Joel Beeke's short work, but this one ought to be read first as it gives great foundations. He writes in the style of his day, but that should not put off anybody. Highly recommended.
June 3, 2020
I just love reading old books that stand the test of time! This book was written in the 1800s and it is remarkable to see that the same struggles people had in making family worship a priority and regular practice hasn’t changed. The book gives strong encouragement to begin or strengthen the habit of gathering together as a family to study and be edifies and gives practical advice as to how to implement it without begin legalistic in its form or time. Much liberty was given from the author in how family worship looks from home to home which I really appreciate. This book has opened many conversations between my husband and I on how to change and improve our “Bible time”, I would highly recommend it even though there are a few doctrinal bones to pick out.
January 26, 2019
A fantastic book on the importance of the head of house performing Family Worship. Possibly the most thorough book on the topic I have yet encountered. Keeping in mind this book was written in the 1800's there is some language that is difficult to understand but this in no way takes away from its potency.
For someone who is wondering, debating, or simply does not know where to start in leading their families in devotions this book will not fail to give direction. Even as someone who leads his household in family worship I felt conviction from the Lord and received insights and ideas that I have already implemented.
For someone who is wondering, debating, or simply does not know where to start in leading their families in devotions this book will not fail to give direction. Even as someone who leads his household in family worship I felt conviction from the Lord and received insights and ideas that I have already implemented.
November 24, 2017
James Alexander gives an exhaustive treatment of the nature, blessings, motives, manner, and objections to family worship. His numerous anecdotes of the practice in the Reformed traditions are deeply inspiring. His treatment on the blessings of family worship in the individual, home, church, and nation are so convincing that even the young or weak believer would be moved to establish the practice in their homes. Especially convicting and motivating is his examination of the duty of the head of house to this practice.
Oh that God would be honored and worshiped in our homes!
Oh that God would be honored and worshiped in our homes!
February 1, 2021
This is one of the newest publications of this work and omits the chapter on the Influence of Family Worship on Domestics (slaves, servants).
I’m not mad at that.
I read that original chapter and there are some things to be gleaned from it despite the fact that no one has slaves in the United States.
The rest of the book is intact.
That said this was a powerful work and I will be referencing it again over time. Very convincing.
I’m not mad at that.
I read that original chapter and there are some things to be gleaned from it despite the fact that no one has slaves in the United States.
The rest of the book is intact.
That said this was a powerful work and I will be referencing it again over time. Very convincing.
February 6, 2021
Excellent! Alexander does a thorough job explaining the reasons and motivations for family worship. This book focuses on the rationale for family worship rather than the more practical side though his practical comments are helpful.
August 9, 2020
This book was shocking the first time I read it. An amazing summary and practical guide for leading family worship.
June 14, 2022
Good book. A little difficult because of the older language, but great practical advice on what constitutes family worship.
January 24, 2024
If you can read only one book this year, let it be this. I found the writing lovely to read. It smacks hard of truth and calls households to action.
December 19, 2025
Wonderful book that gives historical perspective to the downstream effects of family worship on the whole world.
December 28, 2025
Excellent. Highly recommend.
October 10, 2018
I found it really helpful, and more encouraging than anything. If family worship was important to me before I read this, it is more so now. It addresses the history and biblical warrant for family worship, as well as its effects upon individual holiness, parents, children, intellectual improvement, domestic harmony, coping with affliction, neighbours or guests, sound doctrine, the church, the Commonwealth and posterity.
Every chapter was a real treat to read, and I learned of the significance of family worship for not only your family, but the church, the nation, and your descendants. Anyone not convinced on the virtue of family worship would do well to read this. Having been convinced, I have found myself solidified in my conviction that the church of the next generation depends upon us raising our domestic altars. Every young family should grab a copy of this and take the time to read about how vitally important it is not to miss the mark on this issue. I will be re reading this book in the future.
"When soon or late you reach the coast,
O'er life's rough ocean drive:
May you rejoice, no wanderer lost,
A family in Heaven."
Every chapter was a real treat to read, and I learned of the significance of family worship for not only your family, but the church, the nation, and your descendants. Anyone not convinced on the virtue of family worship would do well to read this. Having been convinced, I have found myself solidified in my conviction that the church of the next generation depends upon us raising our domestic altars. Every young family should grab a copy of this and take the time to read about how vitally important it is not to miss the mark on this issue. I will be re reading this book in the future.
"When soon or late you reach the coast,
O'er life's rough ocean drive:
May you rejoice, no wanderer lost,
A family in Heaven."
November 10, 2023
Închinarea, ca disciplină creștină, consider că este de o importanță majoră. Oricine neagă acest aspect demonstreză de fapt cât de neștiutor este. Din acest motiv am demarat un proces în care să caut să îmi fundamentez cât mai solid bazele acestei învățături. Omul este o ființă incurabil de religioasă care se închină mereu la ceva și care nu poate trăi fără a se închina. Problema este următoarea - cui se închină? Sau, cui ar trebui să se închine? Cum arată închinarea corectă? Cine o definește? Sau, la fel de important, de ce să se închine?
Această carte m-a pus oarecum pe gânduri într-un mod profund. M-a îndemnat la o analiză proprie a felului cum văd și cum aplic în viața mea și a familiei mele închinarea. Subiectul închinării este unul care aparține, nu doar cadrului eclezial, ci și al familiei, al casei. O familie creștină nu poate fi una sănătoasă din punct de vedere spiritual dacă ea nu practică în mod constant închinarea. Cu alte cuvinte, închinarea nu are de-a face doar cu biserica, cu mersul la biserică duminică dimineața, ci ea cuprinde toate ariile vieții noastre. De fapt, închinarea incapsulează toată ființa noastră, de la gânduri, vorbe și fapte.
Autorul explică cu argumente fundamentate pe Scriptură de ce este importantă închinarea în cadrul restrâns al familiei, cum trebuie ea să se desfășoare, cine trebuie să o conducă și alte întrebări specifice. Este excelent scrisă, ușoară și clar structurată. Foarte bogată în învățături și îndemnuri practice. Recomand această carte tuturor bărbaților, soților și taților care își doresc să facă din casa lor un loc ceresc la scară redusă.
Această carte m-a pus oarecum pe gânduri într-un mod profund. M-a îndemnat la o analiză proprie a felului cum văd și cum aplic în viața mea și a familiei mele închinarea. Subiectul închinării este unul care aparține, nu doar cadrului eclezial, ci și al familiei, al casei. O familie creștină nu poate fi una sănătoasă din punct de vedere spiritual dacă ea nu practică în mod constant închinarea. Cu alte cuvinte, închinarea nu are de-a face doar cu biserica, cu mersul la biserică duminică dimineața, ci ea cuprinde toate ariile vieții noastre. De fapt, închinarea incapsulează toată ființa noastră, de la gânduri, vorbe și fapte.
Autorul explică cu argumente fundamentate pe Scriptură de ce este importantă închinarea în cadrul restrâns al familiei, cum trebuie ea să se desfășoare, cine trebuie să o conducă și alte întrebări specifice. Este excelent scrisă, ușoară și clar structurată. Foarte bogată în învățături și îndemnuri practice. Recomand această carte tuturor bărbaților, soților și taților care își doresc să facă din casa lor un loc ceresc la scară redusă.
February 1, 2021
I’m assuming this is the original. Contains a chapter on the Influence of Family Worship on Domestics (slaves, servants) which are omitted from later editions.
I’m not mad at that.
Great despite that chapter. We don’t live in that time. The rest is good. But there are principles from that chapter that should not be forgotten.
I’m not mad at that.
Great despite that chapter. We don’t live in that time. The rest is good. But there are principles from that chapter that should not be forgotten.
July 15, 2019
I read this book sometime back between 2013 and 2014. I am currently (July 2019) re-reading portions of it and finding notes of mine along the text that give evidence to how useful this work was towards personal and family reformation. I highly recommend this work.
November 27, 2013
An excellent book for every man or the one who is head of his/her household. It will challenge you to leading a time of worship and devotion with your family drawing you closer to God as a family. It contains many timeless truthes in.
August 15, 2009
Excellent. Have to filter for modern application, though; we just ain't there anymore, though some are, perhaps...
March 17, 2011
Revolutionized my thoughts about "worship" in our home. This book is a gift!
January 9, 2016
Great book on family worship, though at times a bit flowery or sensational.
February 17, 2016
A bit dated, but some very good information.
Want to read
November 21, 2018Recommended by Elisabeth Elliot.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews