When ecclesial meetings are within reach, it is advisable to let the elder children attend them. The instruction which the meetings provide is beneficial, and the witnessing of the public and collective acknowledgment of God tends to keep Him to the front in relation to the children’s minds It was the custom in Israel (and Israel’s customs have been recorded for our admonition) at the reading of the law to gather together men, women and children, “all that had understanding”.
If a Christadelphian Sunday School is accessible, it will afford great help both to parents and children It furthers the home tuition, and provides a stimulus for the children Parents should interest themselves in their young folks’ behavior at the school/ Right doing is as Important an element in the Truth as right knowing The faithful preparation of lessons should be encouraged, and insisted upon, and, to facilitate it, a period of quiet and leisure should be secured to the children Obedience and a respectful manner to the teachers should also be Included Order, subjection to those in authority, fear rendered to whom fear is due, honor to whom honor is due, courteous behavior to all, these are divine requirements, and should be faithfully instilled into the minds of the young Teachers should not be made the subjects of criticism in the scholars hearing, nor spoken of in a way that would lower them in the scholars’ estimation.
When there is no Sunday School in the neighborhood, should the children be sent to an orthodox Sunday School? Emphatically, no! To do so, from whatever standpoint the matter is viewed, is wrong. We would ask those parents who see no harm in this practice: Will you send your children to be indoctrinated in lies? Will you send your children to drink of the deadly abominations of Christendom when you have had to reject the cup in order to save your life? Will you allow their easily-won affections and sympathies to be entwined around the exponents and upholders of those systems which God describes as the “abominations of the earth?” If you warn the children against the teaching that is presented, what will he think of your consistency? Send the child to be taught, and tell him not to sing hymns, and tell him that the hymns, because they are untrue must make no impression on his mind! Can the child be blamed if he grows up to think that it is a matter of little moment where he goes or what he believes? Dear parents, pause and consider!
Similar objections apply to sending children to the Sunday Schools of those who were once in the truth, but who now hold erroneous doctrine. A false doctrine is a lie, and a lie moreover, which is directed not against man, but against God. False doctrine directly antagonizes what God has laid down. Brothers and Sisters recognize its dangerous bearings in relation to themselves, and rightly shun the teaching and influence of those who propound it. On what principle can they place their children, who have less discrimination than themselves, under the influence of false teaching? The first principles may not be tampered with.
Teach the whole Truth
Remove one, and others are bound to follow. It matters not whether it is the truth concerning the nature of Christ, His paternity, the nature of man, in inspiration of the Scriptures, or any other item of the Gospel. To remove one doctrine is to remove a support from an edifice. The structure is rendered unsafe—tottering. Is the parent who places his child under a swaying roof blameless? If, in the day of Christ’s coming, parents who thus act see their children among the crumbling and doomed edifices of the apostacy, instead of in the temple of the living and true God, will they be able to hold themselves guiltless? Better by far would it be to keep the children away from a Sunday School which is in the hands of terrorists, and to let them learn . . . though at odd times and disconnectedly . . . the truth in its purity at home.
Some parents say that they have no time for engaging in home tuition. Many are undoubtedly sorely pressed for time. But there are few indeed who cannot manage to introduce a little Bible instruction each day. Among the brotherhood there is at least one instance (probably there are many more) of parents in very humble circumstances—the father at work from morn till night, and the mother with almost every moment consumed in attending to a large family—who have faithfully brought up their children in the fear of God. If ever there was an instance in which parents could say, “We have not time,” it could have been said in this instance. These parents, however plodded on faithfully, laying hold of the little opportunities which presented, and now they are gladdened by their children’s obedience to the faith. What a crown of rejoicing will these children be to them in the day of Christ’s appearing! “They that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars forever and ever,” and their luster will not be diminished if among the “many” are to be found their own offspring. Yet another instance of creating opportunities under difficulties suggests itself. In this case the father was in the truth and the mother opposed to it. Every Sunday morning, and again in the evening, the father (who was in isolation) was to be found with his elder children around him, instructing them in the Word, or allowing them to witness his obedience to the command: “This do in remembrance of me”. The failure to find time is frequently due to a non-recognition of duty, in most cases the cause lies in a distaste for the work. This is evident when parents engage in enlightening the alien, and neglect their own offspring. If there really must be a choice between the two, the children should undoubtedly come first. What mother would busy herself in making warm garments for the poor, while her own babies were perishing with cold? Or what father would devote his means to feeding the destitute while his own children lacked bread? Surely, none. And yet regarding the moral training of the children this is precisely the anomaly that frequently presents itself. Brethren and Sisters are busy hither and thither with the work of the truth and their own children are deprived of that nurture and admonition which God has directed the parents to bestow. There are duties in the truth in which others share, and can assist, but the daily training of the children rest wholly with the parents. God does not expect much from those who can only do little. Let the little be done, and God will bless and reward it. Those who do nothing stand in danger of having the words “slothful” and “unprofitable” servant addressed to them.
Tell Bible Stories
There are many little things, the observance of which form steps in the right direction. The children can be kept from drinking in apostate teaching. Too much emphasis cannot be laid upon this. Their silly nursery tales can be discarded, and some of the beautiful, truthful narratives of the Scriptures can be made to take their place. Much information concerning God and His works can be conveyed. So far as a child’s interest and understanding are concerned, Bible stories are far more appealing than any other stories under the sun. Did ever a child tire of hearing of the flood, of Joseph, of Moses in the bulrushes, of the passage through the Red Sea? The great feature in such stories is that they will not have to be subsequently expunged from the mind, but will form a foundation to which stone upon stone can be added. Then at least ten minutes might be occupied at breakfast or at tea-time in giving a little instruction in the things of God. Mealtimes form a favorable opportunity because all are then gathered together. Let parents who are pressed for time make a beginning on these lines, and they will eventually create an interest in and liking for their task. As they get more practical and expert in their work, they will probably find that they can launch out into better and greater things. If God should see fit, He will open up ways and means to those who make the subject a matter of strong endeavor and earnest prayer. It must not be expected that everything will work without any hindrance. Some caller perchance, or one of those infantile calamities which so commonly occur in a family of little ones, may put a stop to the lesson one day, but the interruption should not prevent the resumption of the lessons on the following day. All success is dependent upon overcoming difficulties. Where these are allowed to reign, nothing is accomplished. Many parents, especially mothers, have to surmount great difficulties in instructing their children. Let them take courage. The promise is to him that overcometh. Faith, patience, and endurance will bring them to the end of their labors and these “God is not unrighteous to forget”.
Healthful play is necessary
The question is sometimes asked: Is it right for children to play and frolic. Undoubtedly. He who made the lambkin to skip in the meadow also made the gleeful eye and the bounding step of the little child. Boys and girls playing in the streets of Jerusalem will be one of the beautiful features of the Kingdom. The little ones should not be cut off from fun and enjoyment. The parents should aim at providing and supervising the frolic rather than at putting a stop to it. If the children of God-fearing brethren and sisters live near, by all means should the little ones by allowed to mingle freely in each other’s company. If the children have to be cut off from companions because of injurious influences, then let the parents themselves when possible have a game with them.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One