Many parents, anxious to bring up their children in the fear of God, have been perplexed to know how to go to work. The one great end to keep in view is the child’s submission to the truth. Let this be the goal, and let the path to it be kept always free. This policy will simplify the subject. Whatever instruction is given or arrangements are made, let them be of such a nature that they will not form an impediment in the way.
Even in babyhood, the ground may be prepared or marred for future sowing. How often are little children taught to strike the chair or table against which they have stumbled, because it has caused them pain! Is it any wonder that, as they grow older, their blows fall upon brothers and sisters in retaliation for injuries received? How hard will it be to unlearn this lesson in obedience to Christ’s command: “Avenge not yourselves”. Again, how often do parents, by pitting their anger against their little one’s anger, and their will against his will, exercise and stimulate a child’s disposition to anger and stubbornness. “Provoke not your children to anger.” It is as unwise to incite passion in a babe as it is in those of maturer years. These are two examples of many, which show that in the earliest training steps may be taken for after good.
Daily Teaching
As soon as a child is old enough to receive Bible instruction, some systematic method of daily imparting it should be adopted. Reading is not very successful with the very young. It is better to rehearse in simple language Bible narrative and incident. These can be made both interesting and profitable. It is a good plan to devote a few minutes previous study to the lesson, inasmuch as it is necessary to be thoroughly conversant with the subject to be spoken upon. It is a mistake to think that anything will do for a child. The impressions that are sought to be conveyed to him should be such as may be retained for life. As the child grows older he should be taught to read and study the Scriptures for himself. As long as he is under the control of his parents, some daily Scriptural instruction should be arranged.
Obedience Important
Obedience is a very important item in the training of children. A child who disobeys his parents is very unlikely to obey God. Parents who would have God’s approval should strive to have their children in subjection with all gravity. Disobedience to parents is one of the characteristics of a godless age (Romans 1:30). Evil examples in this direction abound on every hand. These examples children should be taught to shun. The youth of today love to set themselves on a pinnacle above their elders. The greater than Solomon acted not thus in his youth. Concerning His attitude toward His parents, it is recorded that he was subject to them. Let parents take means to ensure the same demeanor in their children.
Punishment Necessary
Timely and judicious punishment is often a necessary adjunct in successful child-training “Correct thy son while there is hope and let not thy soul spare for his crying.” Human nature both in childhood and adolescence requires continual correction and chastening to render it docile and teachable. The toleration of wrong doing strengthens the evil in a child’s disposition. To punish is sometimes the only way to bring a child to his senses: “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it far hence.” The punishment, however, should be meted out aright. Undue severity hardens and brutalizes. Some dispositions experience great difficulty in punishing except under the stress of great anger. This is just when punishment should not be given. Reason, not passion, should be the motor in the matter. The moral effect of the offense upon the child should be the standard by which to punish, and not the annoyance caused to the parent. Let not a child be punished for accidentally damaging a valued possession, while an act of disobedience or a lie is allowed to pass. Gentleness and thoughtfulness should characterize the parents” rule, but firmness and severity should never be withheld when called for. God would have parents exercise the fullest authority they possess in holding back their children from wrong-doing. Eli mildy reproved his sons, when he should have deprived them of their office and punished them. God’s comment on Eli’s conduct was this! “You honor your sons above me in that they have made themselves vile and you have restrained them not.” For this offense God visited judgment upon Eli and his house. The example is recorded for the profit of those who were to come after.
New Difficulties
When schooldays approach, the father and mother will find new difficulties and dangers open out before them. Influences will be brought to bear upon the young minds, the effects of which the parents will have to be continually on the alert to counteract. In selecting a school one should, if possible, be chosen in which exemption from erroneous religious tuition can be secured. The principal or teacher should be requested to arrange for the exclusion of the intended scholars from prayers and all doctrinal instruction. In most schools this is practicable. The children should be informed of the arrangement, and also of the necessity for it, arising out of the lack of harmony between the religious teaching of the school and the teaching of the Bible. They will probably feel their singular position, especially if it evoke ridicule from their companions. The parents are in a position to administer comfort by showing that there is great reward in fearing God, and that those who have feared Him have had to be singular in all generations. Parents should endeavor to win their little ones” confidence. They should have sympathetic ears for their troubles, whether small or great. It is unwise to regard children as little bores to be kept out of sight and hearing. If the parents act judiciously and considerately, they will help the young minds to form convictions that will not easily be overthrown.
The query is often raised: should children be sent out to boarding school? The question might, perhaps, be best answered by raising another. Is the placing of a child for three months at a stretch amid purely gentile surroundings likely to advance or impede his submission to the truth? To place a young child out of reach of the watchful eyes and godly counsel of his natural guardians is like withdrawing the prop from a tender sapling—it may then become bent beyond all power to straighten. The temptations against which the child may have to stand alone may prove too much for him. Were the advantages of a boarding school unquestionably ahead of those of a day school, it would be wiser to forego them for the sake of environments more favorable to the truth. But in the large majority of cases the only gain on the side of the boarding school is the attention which is bestowed on the child’s deportment. It is, doubtless, very gratifying for parents to be able to secure, without any trouble to themselves, a cultured bearing in their children. But if it is obtained at the sacrifice of the truth, too great a price is paid for it.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One