him lord. The same principle is repeatedly
taught in the New Testament. "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own
husbands, as unto the Lord." "As the Church is subject unto Christ, so
let the wives be to their own husbands in everything." "Let the wife see
that she reverence her husband." "Likewise ye wives be in subjection to
your own husbands." There can be no room for doubt, then, on this
subject. But, where Christian principle prevails with both parties,
there will be rarely, if ever, occasion to exercise this authority.

The fifth commandment teaches the duty of subordination to the head of
the family, not only on the part of the children themselves, but of
every member of the household. So far as the general interests of the
family are concerned, persons residing in it are regarded in the same
light as children; subject to all its laws, rules and regulations. Thus
the Lord speaks of Abraham: "I know him that he will command his
children _and his household_ after him, and they shall keep the way of
the Lord." The principle is here recognized, that Abraham had a right to
_command_, not only his own children, but all his household. And the
same may also be inferred from the language of the fourth commandment.
It is addressed to the head of the family, and enjoins upon him to see
that no labor is performed on the Sabbath, by any of his household, not
even excepting the _stranger_ that is within his gates.

The duty of the younger members of the family to respect the elder, may
be inferred,--1. From the nature and fitness of things. The elder
brethren and sisters are the superiors of the younger, in age and
experience, and generally in wisdom and knowledge. They are better
qualified to take the lead, and therefore entitled to respect and
deference. 2. The same thing may also be inferred from the precedence
always given in Scripture to the first-born.

But the great household duty is LOVE. If this is properly discharged, it
will set all other matters right. If this is wanting, there will be a
lack of everything else. The Scriptures insist upon the duty of
brotherly love. "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to
dwell together in unity!" Christ, in his sermon on the mount, severely
rebukes the indulgence of anger, and the want of kindness and courtesy
among brethren. And the apostle John says, that "whosoever hateth his
brother, is a murderer." A kind, tender-hearted, affectionate, and
peaceful temper, s