Smith's family was greatly influenced by Samuel Davies. Smith himself was a friend of R.L. Dabney.

As the editor notes, the importance of this book is seen in the fact that "[r]eform of the family would soon diffuse itself throughout the whole constitution of society, a higher tone of morals would be inspired, and not only would the moral influence of the church be enlarged, but the stability and security of the state would be perpetuated."

Or as the "Directory for Family Worship," appended to the Westminster Confession, so wisely points out, "[b]esides the public worship in congregations, mercifully established in this land in great purity, it is expedient and necessary that secret worship of each person alone, and private worship of families, be pressed and set up; that, with national reformation, the profession and power of godliness, both personal and domestic, be advanced."

This was a prize winning essay, covering, in depth, the family and its duties.