This Month's Subject: Children

 •  5 min. read  •  grade level: 10
 
The subject worked out for this month is—
“Children” as spoken of in Scripture.
We regret to say that there has been a falling off in the number of papers received this month, some to whom divisions had been allotted having found themselves unable from different causes to work out the subject; so that in one or two sections we have had but few papers, and we fear that the result may be somewhat imperfect. The subject is one of the deepest interest to all, especially when we consider that the young are particularly exposed to temptations, and that the loosening of natural ties is one of the signs which indicate to us the approach of the perilous times of the last days.
It may be that some have found the subject too difficult. We have wished for some time to be able to obtain the opinion of the Class on the subject that should be selected. The plan of asking each to suggest some subject has not succeeded, as the subject proposed has often been too vague or impracticable. We hope, however, next month to inaugurate a new plan that will be pleasing to all, and that is, to select four suitable subjects from those sent, and submit them to the Class generally, for consideration as to which of the four would be most generally liked. Thus next month the subject selected for July will be given as usual, but in addition four subjects will be named, and each member of the Class is requested to state when sending in their paper, which of the four he or she would prefer to work at, and the one found most generally acceptable will be the one given the month after (June) for August.
1. Statements and Precepts Relating To Children Generally.
Families in the sight of God.
Daniel’s persecutors and their families are cast into the den of lions. Daniel 6:2424And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den. (Daniel 6:24). Exodus 34:77Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. (Exodus 34:7); Numbers 14:1818The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. (Numbers 14:18); Deuteronomy 3:6; 32:256And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city. (Deuteronomy 3:6)
25The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs. (Deuteronomy 32:25); Job 17:55He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail. (Job 17:5); Psalms 109:9, 109Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow. 10Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places. (Psalm 109:9‑10); Joshua 6:2121And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword. (Joshua 6:21).
Children generally.
Children are exhorted
Children will find profit in the knowledge of the Scriptures, 2 Timothy 3.15. But should remember that their knowledge is only that of children-limited, 1 Corinthians 13:1111When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (1 Corinthians 13:11).
2. Passages Referring to Good Children
1. Statements and Precepts
2. Examples of Good Children
Esther, Est. 3:20.
Sons of Jonadab, Jeremiah 35.
3. —Passages Referring To Bad Children.
1. Statements and Precepts.
With regard to their parents-
They are punished for—
2. Examples of Bad Children.
Joseph’s brethren, Genesis 37