What Estimate Do You Place on Your Boy?
By L. A. Hoopes
As we visit from place to place, and see the indifference so many manifest in the future welfare of their children, we are led to ask this question, “What estimate do they place upon their boys?” But their love for position, power, and honor are the inducements held out to lay claim upon their best energies. These all appear to be objects worthy of aspiration, but they universally fall short of the high ideal that God has set for his children. With these ideals eternity is lost sight of, and the estimate placed upon children is measured chiefly by the possibilities of worldly aggrandizement. But what are the results? How many there are who see no further than that which is found in worldly glory and honor. They seem to be dazed when told that a storm is coming which will dash to nothing all their fine hopes. “Because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold.” In no way is this scripture more manifest than in the lack of interest shown by many parents in the eternal welfare of their children. One reason for this state of affairs is that the ideals of many parents concerning the education of their children are not pure ones. The system of education which is in vogue in the world is planned to meet the demands of the world. The courses of instruction are so arranged as to influence the child's impressions at the earliest period of his life. It is planned that the child shall be in school just at the time when his services are of the least value to his money-loving parents. “Why,” says the money lover, “go to the expense of establishing and maintaining a church-school when we can educate our children just as well in public schools?” Such statements only impress us more and more with the very low estimate which parents place upon their boys. Public schools, like many state governments, are arranged with specific objects in view. As such they serve their purpose; but the child of God, a citizen of the heavenly King, should have higher and more exalted ideals than those which dominate the public school. It is true that many great and useful men have been educated in public schools: but, if the truth were known in many cases might would be seen a “Jochebed” or a “Mary” for a mother, whose untiring watchfulness over them, and whose careful and prayerful instruction in their early childhood, laid the foundation of26their useful lives. If we are to rescue our children from the influence of the world, there must be a power stronger than death to take hold of them, and enable them to learn those things which make for life eternal. Our schools must teach truth instead of fiction; the wisdom of God instead of the wisdom of the world; faith instead of unbelief; true mental science instead of the blackening influence of hypnotism and spiritualism; the mind of Christ instead of the mind of man. If our children are under the influence of such teachings as this, it is not so easy for them to form worldly aspirations. Worldly honor, what is it? Perhaps only a laurel wreath, a victor’s plume, or honor of a corruptible nature, which must pass away. The honor of the nation demands that our boys be educated in the most approved military fashion. But the cries of a perishing world, the longing of sin-sick souls, the anxiety, the trouble, and the sorrow which fill men’s hearts, should demand most loudly in the training and education of our children that which will best fit them for service under the banner of Prince Emmanuel. What estimate do you place upon your boy? Are you training him for the great battle of Armageddon, or are you training him for a place in the Christian warfare? Be assured that a high estimate has been placed upon him by One who knows the value of a soul. Would you know the worth of a soul? Then look to the infinite sacrifice and see what that soul’s salvation cost. Heaven has poured out in one gift that which demands your all. The way to the cross is a sacred way. Our Leader has been over it; and he has left it fragrant with his pure, sweet life of self-sacrificing love. What a revelation of divine things in the light from Calvary! Our children must be taught to travel that way. In the way of Christ there is given to the individual a power to grasp things divine. Our children must be surrounded in our homes and in the school with those influences which may fit them for eternal life. What tremendous possibilities are brought within their reach, if we as parents do all we can on our part to place them on right lines of education! As we plan for the future of our children, let us plan wisely and well.