Is there not a great need of godly wisdom and carefulness in the training of our children? The first thing to know is whether they are truly the Lord’s, and moreover that the fact of their salvation, however much counted on in faith by the parents, is to them a cause for never ending gratitude and praise. It is a great thing to be taught to value the saving grace of God when young.
Their mode of training is detailed in Ephesians 6:44And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4); but though we should keep them separate from the withering influences of the worldly scene that man delights in, children should learn much from and fully enjoy that world which God has made, as well as all simple recreations suited to their age.
It is rather, however, as to divine things that these few lines are written, and especially with regard to such truths as are distinctive of our position. If we are to be guided by the Word.
It is abundantly clear that real humbleness and lowliness of mind is one of the first things to be ingrained in the young heart, and it is best taught by being reflected from the parent’s walk and ways. Nothing can be more injurious than for the young to hear us speak unguardedly, and it may be slightingly, of others.
We little think at such times how we may be sowing in their young hearts the seeds of “I thank thee I am not as other men are.” Let us rather instill that “esteeming others better than ourselves,” which is so characteristic of the spirit of Christ.
To cram young souls with a glib head knowledge of “the mystery” and the “strong meat” of Christian truth before they have learned much either of Christ, themselves, or the world, is equally to be deprecated, and produces pride in spiritual things rather than spirituality. Let truth always be taught in its relationship to Christ, and never as a creed or dogma. A sectarian spirit is easily imbibed and hard to get rid of, and on the way in which we train our children largely depends whether the precious truth of the “one body” will become the mere insignia of a sect, or a truth humbly confessed by those who are walking in the spirit of its Head.
It is to be feared that at times we but little think of the immense responsibility we have, thus rightly to train and mold the thoughts of those around us. We never can go wrong in speaking of Christ. We can always safely exalt and make much of Him in every way; and next to Him surely must come the training of the mind in humbleness and lowliness (which is of great price), in obedience and in unworldliness. Truth has its place, but it is alas! eagerly picked up from tracts and books by the natural mind. The love of Christ and these graces however are not; yet it is only by means of these that our children can learn to walk soberly, righteously and godly in this present evil world.