PhillipsFamilyBox1_22-23_003d

Duties are required of them; and this duty exists, not only
when the several parts of a family are together, ^but^ when [cross out] one
or both of the heads are separated from the little flock; and only to sup-
plicate [cross out] ^the protection & blessings of Heaven^ in their behalf but where it can be done, to substitute
another to lead in the religious worship of the Supreme Being; - how much
pleasure would it afford to both your Parents, if you my dear Son, was
willing to perform this duty! - your capacity for it, can't be dis-
[missing]ited; For act[] would never be [] pleasant and I hope
you will ever be on your guard against that fear of man, that
brings a snare; But if you can't at present consent to lead in
prayer, I hope the time is not far distant when that reluctance will be remo-
ved; and while Wm. Newman is so good as to perform that exercise, you
will take particular care to get the family [underlined] together [end underline], in season; be sure by the
beginning of the first Academy Ball - or sooner if convenient, and to
read a short passage of scripture, in course - my rule was generally to read ab^t^
half a chapter of common length - taking care to pause where the sense would be
least broken; - sometimes you may perhaps have only time to read a short
psalm; - but if a little previous care be taken, you wont find it difficult to
read about 20 verses or from 20-30. The most proper hour in y^e^ev^a^ is
9 o'clock, or as near it as the concerns of y^e^ family will admit - when this duty is