We, as students of the Bible, know that the end of this era will bring the commencement of the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, for upon the ashes of man’s misrule will the Kingdom of Christ be established.
The world around us does not know of these coming events, and can only see world disaster ahead of them. Indeed, I think this is the time, or very close to it, when, in the words of Jesus, “Men’s hearts fail them for fear.” We can indeed say that fear dwells in the hearts of men, and sober thinking people fear the outcome.
This is the world picture, as we see it today. And this is the world which our young people must face as they approach manhood and womanhood, a period of their lives when they are both young in years and young in the Truth. All too often hard decisions must be made, a time of crisis confronts many who are but infants in the Household, and I think that we who are older do not do enough to help our young brothers and sisters, as the many trials and tribulations come upon them during their early years.
As an example, let us consider one of the stands the young brothers must take. With the schoolroom door scarcely closed, they find it necessary to go out into the world, faced with the almost immediate prospect of being called before the draft board, to take their stand as a conscientious objector, and compelled to work in some hospital or similar government-approved job, for two long years. And our young brothers are accepting this early challenge in a credible manner, making their early stand for the Truth’s sake.
Then again in many other ways the young brothers and sisters have problems that do not so much affect those who are older, such as the choice of companions and friends. In this escapist world we live in, many people have a reckless, carefree attitude that is a feature of our day. Even in the world, the choice of companions and friends is critical; in the Household it is even more so.
Then there is the choice of work. This was practically no problem in our younger days when so many jobs were to be found. But today when the majority of industries produce or help to produce the many inventions whose sole aim is the mass destruction of life, the decision of the young brothers and sisters to stand aside is a hard one to make.
Then there are the amusements of today. There are many forms of amusement, some innocent, some harmful. I know the young brothers and sisters will avoid the more evil type of amusement, but when we indulge in some innocent form of recreation, let us do so in a manner that will not bring discredit upon our calling. And the Scriptural injunction comes to mind, to avoid over-indulgence—in other words, to be moderate in all things.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One