Home is, therefore, a partnership of spiritual as well as of natural life. The members thereof dwell "as being heirs together of the grace of life." "Heavenly mindedness," "the hidden man of the heart," and a "hope full of immortality," are the ornaments of the Christian home. Hers is "the incorruptibility of a meek and quiet spirit;" her members are "joint heirs of salvation;" they are "one," not only in nature, but "in Christ." They enjoy a "communion in spirit," that their "joy might be full." "What God, therefore, hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Such a home, being "right with God," must be "full of good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." Here the Christian shows his real character. In the sphere of the church, the family reaches its highest excellence and its purest enjoyment. Says the learned D'Aubigne, "Without the knowledge and the love of God, a family is but a collection of individuals who may have more or less of natural affection for one another; but the real bond,--the love of God our Father, in Jesus Christ, our Lord,--is wanting." We, therefore, abuse the idea of home when we divest it of the religious element. As the family is a divine institute and a type of the church and of heaven, it cannot be understood in its isolation from christianity; it must involve Christian principles, duties, and interests; and embrace in its educational functions, a preparation, not only for the State, but also for the church. The church gives to home a sacred religious ministry, a spiritual calling, a divine mission; investing it with prophetic, priestly and kingly prerogatives, and laying it under religious responsibilities. This gives to the Christian home its true meaning, and secures for its members-- "A sacred and home-felt delight, A sober certainty of waking bliss." Such was the home of Abraham, who "commanded his children and his household to keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment,"--of Joshua, who with "his house served the Lord,"--of David, who "returned to bless his household,"--of Job, who "offered burnt-offering according to the number of his sons,"--of Cornelius, who "feared God with all his house,"--of Lydia, and Crispus, and the jailor of Philippi, who "believed in the Lord with all their house."