Among the property owned jointly by two young brothers who were carpenters was the old tumbledown place of their birth. One of the brothers was soon to be married, and the old house was to be torn down and a new one erected on its site. For years neither of the brothers had visited the cottage, as it had been leased.

As they entered now and started the work of demolishing the place, again and again floods of tender memories swept over them. By the time they reached the kitchen they were well-nigh overcome with their emotions. There was the place where the old kitchen table had stood—with the family Bible—where they had knelt every evening. They were recalling now with a pang how in later years they had felt a little superior to that time-honored custom carefully observed by their father.

Said one: “We’re better off than he was, but we’re not better men.” The other agreed, saying, “I’m going back to the old church and the old ways, and in my new home I’m going to make room for worship as Dad did.”

The strength of a nation lies in the homes of its people. ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Says Dr. J. G. Paton: “No hurry for market, no rush for business, no arrival of friends or guests, no trouble or sorrow, no joy or excitement, ever prevented us from kneeling around the family altar while our high priest offered himself and his children to God.” And on his father’s life in his home was based Dr. Paton’s decision to follow the Lord wholly. “He walked with God—why not I?”

“Stand ye in the . . . old paths, where is the good way” (Jeremiah 6:16 KJV).