Parental Responsibility for the Condition of the Young
By Mrs. Cora Hoopes
The condition of the young at the present time is to a large degree just what Satan would have it. Their minds are diverted from the truths of the Bible, and the spirit of pride, selfishness, and worldly amusements has crept into the hearts of many of the young. The truth seems to have no charms for such, and the spirit of carelessness prevails. Those who have charge of the children keenly feel the lack of interest shown from Sabbath to Sabbath. Great efforts have been put forth to counteract this spirit of indifference, but as those in charge of Sabbath-schools and young people's meetings have the children only a few hours each week, the good accomplished has been far less than we could wish to see. The leaders and teachers of the children should have the hearty co-operation of the parents. The Sabbath-school lessons should be studied in the home, ready to be recited in the class, and the parents should lead out or direct in this study. Duties, whether in the home or in the Sabbath-school, should be performed as unto the Lord. God is a God of order. Things that are done in a careless manner are displeasing to him. We are living on the brink of eternity. We have been warned repeatedly of the stupefying power of the evil one. Satan is lulling us to sleep, and we do not realize the danger, nor the importance of keeping awake and watching unto prayer. The Christian experience of the young is a matter with which the parents have very much to do. When the children and youth are given an active part in the young people's meeting, they should willingly and freely respond. The exercises in which they are to take part, should be studied at home, ready to be given promptly when called for. This would be pleasing to the Lord, and less embarrassing to the leaders, and would put an end to confusion; but only with the co-operation of the parents can this be successfully brought about. In “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. V, page 322, we read: “Parents, if you would educate your children to serve God and do good in the world, make the Bible your text-book. It exposes the wiles of Satan. It is the great elevator of the race, the reprover and corrector of moral evils, the detector which enables us to distinguish between the true and the false. Whatever else is taught in the home or at school, the Bible, as the great educator, should stand first. If it is given this place, God is honored, and he will work for you in the conversion of your children. There is a rich mine of truth and beauty in this Holy Book, and parents have themselves to blame if they do not make it intensely interesting to their children. . . . Parents have a great and responsible work to do, and they may well inquire, ‘Who is sufficient for these things?’ But God has promised to give wisdom to those that ask in faith, and he will do just as he said he would. He is pleased with the faith that takes him at his word. The mother of Augustine prayed for her son's conversion. She saw no evidence that the Spirit of God was impressing his heart, but she was not discouraged. She laid her finger upon the texts, and pleaded as only a mother can. Her deep humiliation, her earnest importunities, her unwavering faith, prevailed, and the Lord gave her the desire of her heart. To-day he is just as ready to listen to the petitions of his people. ‘His hand is not shortened that it can not save, neither his ear heavy that it can not hear;’ and if Christian parents seek him earnestly, he will fill their mouths with arguments, and, for his name's sake, will work mightily in their behalf in the conversion of their children.’” On page 328 of the same book we find the following: “The Bible gives explicit directions concerning the important work of educating children: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.’ ‘The parents are themselves to be connected with God; they are to have his fear before them, and to have a knowledge of his will. Then comes their work: ‘And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.’” The sifting time is no longer in the future. Let us arouse and put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Eph. 6:11. We know not how soon we shall be called upon to give a reason for the faith that makes us a peculiar people. Now is the time for parents to train their children as never before. They should be taught the reasons of our faith—why we are Seventh-day Adventists. Our children will be called upon to suffer for Christ, and if they do not receive the training God has designed they should, the parents will be held responsible. The children are to help carry the message, and how necessary and important that they should receive thorough training for this work. Parents, let us put forth a decided effort in this matter and improve the time that is left us. To do this work we shall have to pray. Our Saviour spent long nights in prayer on the lonely mountain-side and in the groves, with the dew of heaven falling upon his brow. If it was necessary for Jesus, the King of heaven, to spend so much time in prayer, how much more necessary that we should have our hearts uplifted to him in prayer continually! Then when his elect are gathered from the four winds, may we be able to say, Lord, here am I, and the children whom thou gavest me.