The question is sometimes asked, When should we begin to take our children to the meetings? For our part we answer, Begin at once. It is well when the children of Christian parents never know when they started to go to the meetings where the Lord Jesus is remembered in death, or where He is well spoken of.
Children should be brought up to expect to go to the meetings; they should see their parents faithful in attendance. If the parents carelessly neglect "the assembling... together," then they may expect the children to consider that it is of little importance. In the days of King Jehoshaphat, we read, "And all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children." 2 Chron. 20:1313And all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. (2 Chronicles 20:13).
It is indeed a beautiful sight when the father, mother, growing children, and even the babe in arms are found making their way together to the gospel meeting, or to the place where prayer is "wont to be made," or to other meetings. We recognize that there are certain limitations in the health and strength of either the parents or the children at times, but we are speaking of a general rule and of what is desirable.
Some children learn very easily that they are to be quiet during the meetings, and others learn with great difficulty—sometimes with considerable trouble to the parents. We have known of some parents who went together to their knees and sought the Lord's special help each time before they left for the meeting. It takes wisdom and patience to persevere until the children learn how to behave at such times. It may also require patience and understanding on the part of others while the parents seek to train the children. Usually it is only for a short time for each child, so let parents take courage and bring the children to the meetings, seeking the Lord's help in dealing with the problem of keeping them quiet. If on occasion a child makes too much disturbance it should be taken out, but let not the parents give up.
Some mothers take time out each day to sing and read with their children while the little ones have to sit still and be quiet. Others see to it that there is a time in the family reading for the children to learn discipline in being quiet in a meeting. Of course, discretion must be used to not overdo the amount of time they must remain quiet. It is important that they should learn at home how to act in a meeting. In all this there is sometimes considerable discipline for the parents in following through with such a program.
Let no Christian parent be influenced by hearing some unsaved one say that he will not go to a meeting because he was forced to go as a child. More frequently than not this is only an excuse for his refusing to hear the gospel of the grace of God now, and a very flimsy excuse at that. Even if the parents of such a one were unwise in the manner in which they handled his reluctance (if it were such), it is no reason for Christian parents to neglect their God-given duty and privilege of taking their children to the meetings.
As the small children grow up they should be taught to listen to what is said in the meetings, and not be encouraged to carelessness by having other things to occupy them. It is to be deplored when children old enough to understand what is said, or at least a part of it, are given drawing books and other such object to distract them. Sometimes children who should be drinking in a solemn gospel message and taking it to heart are only present in body while their minds are on something else brought in with them.
Some excuse their occupying children with drawing books, pictures, and other things, by saying, "They cannot understand or take in what is said," but it is surprising what they can and do take in. We have seen and heard of cases where they laid hold of what was said in an astonishing manner, and we fear that parents who allow their older children to have objects foreign to the purpose of the meeting are doing them a positive damage.
We all need to remember that "God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about Him." Psa. 89:77God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. (Psalm 89:7).