The Children Among Us by JANETTE BIDWELL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 10, 1915

The Children Among Us

By JANETTE BIDWELL

JANETTE BIDWELL

IN many churches today children are seldom seen. The habits established in childhood have a strong tendency to remain unchanged throughout life, and we do not wish the youth to form the habit of remaining away from the services. It is not best for parents to leave the children at home, or with some neighbor, or on the streets, while they attend church, lest the children forget that it is the Sabbath. If the mother or some other member of the family remains at home with them, it deprives that one of the blessing which awaits the congregation of God’s people, an unnecessary deprivation under ordinary conditions. Children ought to go with their parents to the service, and sit with them. If permitted to sit in the rear of the church, they often get no good from what is being said, and sometimes disturb others who would like to give attention.

Children can be taught to be quiet and attentive in the house of God, and the parents’ example does much to emphasize their teaching. “Let parents in their words and deportment give to their children an example of what they desire them to be.” “Notice how you conduct yourselves in the house of God, and what efforts you are making by precept and example to cultivate reverence in your children.”

The going in and out during the service is often annoying. Rarely is it necessary for children who are old enough to leave the room without their parents, to do so; but there are times when it cannot be avoided, and then they should go on tiptoe, and as quickly and quietly as possible.

Many children are too young to understand what is being said. These little ones are usually very active; it is hard for them to remain quiet for a long time, and they should not be kept in meeting for hours at a time. But for a reasonable length of time they can be kept quiet. I have in mind two mothers whom I have observed. One has a boy about two years of age. If he attempts to turn and look behind him, he is roughly seized by the shoulder and jerked about. He hardly dares to move, and almost every week he is punished for some imagined misdemeanor. In a few years this child may not be willing to enter a church, and his memories are likely to be those of extreme aversion for the worship of God.

The other mother has a very restless little girl. This mother does not oblige her to remain constantly in the same position; she is free to move in her chair as long as she makes no sound. When she grows weary of looking about, her mother takes some small object from her hand bag; and when the child is tired of that, another is quietly produced, and the other is slipped back into its place. Several objects suffice to occupy the little one until she falls asleep. From week to week the articles are varied. Among them are a clothespin, a few large beads on a string, and a bright-colored post card. When the sermon is over this mother is not tired out, neither is the child fretful. She is perfectly contented, and she has disturbed no one. As she grows older she will have no unpleasant remembrances; and with her growing understanding, she will learn to listen to what is being said, as her older brother has done.