CHILDREN AND THE SABBATH.
By Mrs. W. C. Sisley
MRS. W. C. SISLEY.
(Battle Creek, Mich.) There is perhaps no question that has caused deeper solicitude on the part of Sabbath-keeping parents, or that has been more of a tax on the ingenuity of many mothers, than how to implant in the hearts of their children a proper regard for the Sabbath. Though feeling keenly the delicacy of the task of attempting to say anything on this subject, the hope that some word or suggestion may prove a “seed thought” to some anxious-hearted mother, is my only apology. Truly it is a vital question. Our best judgment tells us that this “regard” is something that we can not legislate into our children. What then? — First of all we must be sure that we have the real love of the Sabbath in our own hearts, and a knowledge of what constitutes real Sabbath observance. If it is to us in any sense a yoke of bondage and grievous to be borne, so it will most assuredly be to our children. But God wishes it to be a “delight;” therefore it is possible that it shall be such to both parents and children. The natural tendency on the part of parents is to take things easy for the first few years, allowing the little ones to amuse and shift for themselves, while waiting for the “age of accountability” to come; or waiting, as one woman frankly put it, till her children “knew something” before she took upon herself any burden as to their relation to the Sabbath. What idea could be more fatal! The very first impressions of the little ones concerning the Sabbath should be that it is holy, demanding our reverence. Should we attempt to explain to them the meaning of these words, we doubtless would fail completely; but they can, and do, catch the spirit; they are impressible beyond our expectation. How shall the love of the Sabbath be implanted? — By precept and example, especially the latter, in look, in word, in act, and influence. As the parents conscientiously walk softly before the Lord, hearkening unto the voice of his commandments, will not the little ones naturally imbibe the same spirit and walk with them? Remember the Sabbath day all through the week; and when the time of special preparation comes, let the children “help” in preparing for its coming. Have everything in perfect order, — clean homes, clean bodies, with clean, and if possible, different, clothing than that worn during the week. Show respect for the Sabbath. We should plan to have all the work and other needful preparations out of the way in good time, to be ready and waiting to welcome its sacred hours as we would a loved friend. And in what more appropriate way could we bid it welcome than with song and thanksgiving? Now that our children are literally children no more, we look back to those precious Sabbath evenings when, with the little ones on father’s and mother’s knees, we sat before the open grate singing the “sweet songs of Zion,” the words of which were known “by heart.” First of all came — “Safely through another week
God has brought us on our way;
Let us now a blessing seek,
Waiting in his courts to-day.” And as we look back, we now believe that the sentiment, “Day of all the week the best,” had its influence on those little minds and hearts, as the hymn was sung week by week and year by year, as did also the hymn that as regularly marked the Sabbath’s close. “The light of Sabbath eve
Is fading fast away;
What record will it for us leave,
To crown the closing day?” “Is it a Sabbath spent
Of fruitless time destroyed?
Or have these moments to us lent
Been sacredly employed?” “To waste these Sabbath hours,
O may we never dare;
Nor desecrate with words of ours
These sacred days of prayer.” “But may our Sabbaths here
Inspire our hearts with love;
And prove a blessed foretaste clear,
Of that sweet rest above.” I give the entire hymn that we may see how forcibly, yet pleasantly, may this exhortation to faithful Sabbath observance be instilled into the mind through song. Strange as it may seem, these two hymns have never grown old nor lost their charm. They preach the same forceful sermon to us to-day. But I was speaking of Sabbath evenings. After singing, have a helpful exercise in the repeating of choice texts of Scripture, the children, of course, sharing in the same, this to be followed by a prayer season, in which the children should be encouraged, but not forced, to take part. Some time might be profitably spent with Sabbath-school lessons, reading to or with the children; and when at an early hour the dear little ones are at rest in sleep, then are the parents free with undivided thought to pursue their own line of reading or study. Then comes the Sabbath day with its varied opportunities — Sabbath-school and meeting, if such privileges are available; or if otherwise, participated in at home. Often neighbors and their children may be induced, at a favorable hour, to join the home school, adding interest as well as affording a field for missionary effort. Then the reading, the singing, the resting, the lessons of instruction, which are to be taught “diligently unto thy children, . . . when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way.” Yes, when walking by the way is a most precious time to impress the youthful mind with the greatness of God’s love. Let them early become acquainted with their Creator through his wondrous works, — the budding trees and fragrant flowers, stones, brooks, singing birds, — all contributing their part to make the Sabbath indeed a “delight.” No doubt some will say, “Must children receive so much attention?” Bear in mind that we are dealing with a live question, “How to implant a love for the Sabbath in the hearts of our children.” It will take time, and it will necessarily demand some, yes, much, denial of self at times, on the part of parents to accomplish this, but it will pay. When this love is once implanted, the battle is more than half won. As the children grow older, they will naturally help to interest themselves and one another; but with these conditions, let there ever be union of interest and sweet companionship on the part of the parents. It can not be emphasized too strongly that the first years with the children are the ones that tell. But we can not go back to live one single day that is past; the present and the future only are ours. So we must bravely take up life’s duties just where to-day finds them; and armed with God’s strength and assured of his great mercy, go forward, saying, “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Parents, let us in faith take to the Lord our children, and in faithfulness fulfill our part, that in him victory may be complete.