Conversion of Children

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 7, 1909

Conversion of Children

TALMAGE tells us that “Robert Hall, the prince of the Baptist preachers, was converted at twelve years of age; Matthew Henry, the commentator, at eleven years of age; Isabella Graham, immortal in the Christian church, at ten years of age; Dr. Watts, whose hymns will be sung all down the ages, at nine years of age; and Jonathan Edwards, perhaps the mightiest intellect that the American pulpit ever produced, at seven years of age.”

In a recent sermon on “The Unpardonable Sin,” Dr. W. E. Biederwolf, a successful American evangelist, asserted that “nine tenths of all the decisions for Christ are made before the age of twenty,” and confirmed his statement in a striking way. He called upon all Christians in his audience to rise, and about two thousand did so. Those converted under twenty were told to be seated, and only about two hundred remained standing.

Those converted under thirty were then seated, and seventy-five remained on their feet. By the same method it was found that only sixteen of the two thousand were converted over forty, two over fifty, and not one over sixty. The preacher contended that, allowing for early deaths, the chances were five thousand to one against conversion after twenty, and twenty-five thousand to one against conversion after a person was thirty years of age.

Others who have made this subject a study have arrived at similar conclusions. It is in the contemplation of

such figures that we are brought to realize the immense importance of work among the young. Parents, teachers, and evangelists have a great responsibility on their hands. They have to do with the human soul in its most plastic state, and should they neglect to mold it in the image of Christ, their opportunities are forever lost. And if the children of Christian parents, under the regular influence of Christian teachers, may be neglected, how much more pitiable is the condition of the unfortunate waifs of our large cities who are subject to no such beneficent influences!—The Australian Christian.