Thanks to Scott Brown for sending me this important quote from one of our favorite Puritans, Mr. Richard Baxter:

Holy families are the seminaries of Christ’s church on earth, and it is very much that lieth upon them to keep up the interest of religion in the world. Hence come holy magistrates, when great men’s children have a holy education. And, oh, what a blessing is one such to the countries where they are! Hence spring holy pastors and teachers to the churches, who as Timothy, receive holy instructions from their parents, and grace from the Spirit of Christ in their tender age. Many a congregation that is happliy fed with the bread of life, may thank God for the endeavors of a poor man or woman,that trained up a child in the fear of God, to become their holy, faithful teacher. (The Reformed Pastor, Vol. 4, The Poor Man’s Family Book, p. 230.)