The Law of Kindness by MRS. S. N. HASKELL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 3, 1914

“The Law of Kindness”

By MRS. S. N. HASKELL

MRS. S. N. HASKELL

A young mother in her kitchen, busy with the morning work, discovers that five-year-old Johnny is entertaining himself by making paper tapers and lighting them in the kitchen fire. At once the command is given, “Johnny, do not play with the fire.” But Johnny, unmindful of her words, lights another taper. In a higher tone the mother calls out, “Johnny, did I not tell you to quit playing with the fire?”

But Master Johnny has never been taught to respect the simple commands of his mother. Mere words mean nothing to him, and he proceeds to light another taper. In a rage the mother calls out, “Johnny, if you do not stop, I will punish you.”

That alters the situation. Johnny has vivid memories of punishments of various kinds administered in anger by his mother, and he leaves the fire to find other entertainment. The mother’s command has no influence over his actions; he follows his own will until punishment for doing so seems certain if he persists.

Ten years have passed, during which time Johnny has been governed not by the word of his mother, but by the fear of punishment and scolding.

Johnny, at the age of fifteen, chooses foolish amusements and wicked companions. He is too big to fear the punishments his mother inflicted in his childhood, and he has become soured and hardened by her angry scolding.

The mother is heartbroken; she sees him going down to destruction, but has no power to hold him. It is a pitiable sight, but a common one in many homes.

What is the difficulty?—Simply this: the “law of kindness” is not known. Many connect law only with threats of punishment, made in anger. That is not the law of kindness, but an unstable government. The law of kindness is firm and steady, based upon sound judgment, always the same. The law of kindness does not condemn a wrong act in the child today and overlook it tomorrow. It rules every day alike.

The mother who requires obedience to the first command, spoken in a kind, gentle tone, and never repeats the command a second time, will control her children by her word, and not by fear of punishment. “Her children arise up, and call her blessed.” Prov. 31:26, 28.

I know a quiet little mother of stalwart sons who taught them from babyhood to mind her word, and now they, like Esther, still respect the word of their parent. Esther 2:20.

The Good Book says, “A child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.” Prov. 29:15, 17. “Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.” Prov. 19:18. There is no hope in chastening him when the mother has lost control of her own spirit and is in a fit of anger, neither is there hope after the child has entered manhood or womanhood.

Mothers, did you ever stop to think that when you are teaching your babe in the high chair to mind your simple word once spoken, you are laying the foundation for your child to obey the Word of God? God has given us his simple word. We are to obey it because it is his word; not from fear of punishment, but because we love him.

When children are taught to obey the word of their parents, and that obedience is enforced by firmness and kindness, the children will love their parents and fear to disobey them. From such Christian homes children are sent forth into the world with a reverence for the Word of God which will shield them when assailed by the tempest of sin and wickedness.

How can children really love parents who are continually nagging and scolding them? There can be no tender love in such homes. How sad it is that—

“We have careful thought for the stranger, And smiles for the sometime guest; But oft for our own, the bitter tone, Though we love our own the best.”

South Lancaster, Mass.