A Lesson from the Heathen by F. G.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 5, 1907

A Lesson from the Heathen

By F. G.

It is the Spartan parents who teach us the lesson. To them their city and their nation were dearer than their lives and the lives of their children. From its birth, each mother gave her child as a free-will offering to the support and upbuilding of the nation. At seven years of age the boy was taken from his home and brought up in the care of public teachers. He was subjected to severe hardships. Only plain food and coarse clothing were given him. Much of his food he had to get himself.

A mother's and a father's love for their children was the same in ancient Sparta as in our own times. Yet they gladly gave their sons to this life of hardship and severe toil. The Spartan mother wept tears of joy when her sons were brought home to her dead from the battle. She was glad to have been the mother of heroic sons. The sacrifice which she made was a joyous one. She loved her country. Nor was this careful training for the service of the country confined to the sons alone; the daughters were subjected to careful training also, that they might do well their part.

These Spartan parents denied themselves the pleasure of having their children with them, that they might have a secure and stable government. Their government was of a perishing nature, yet they loved to sacrifice for it.

God calls on his people to sacrifice. He set us an example of true sacrifice in giving his only Son for the salvation of mankind. Why are we so slow to heed the call which he makes to us in asking us to give our children to him for his service—a service of love? Truly the Spartan parent had a better conception of sacrifice than have very many of God's professed people. Their hearts were so aflame with a love for their country that they were willing to give their children to its service. So strong was this affection that they even joyed in the death of their children when in defense of their nation.

This is a time of year when parents are called on to send their children from them. Altogether too many will feel that they can not make the necessary sacrifice. Many plausible reasons will hastily present themselves as to why these children should not go. There is work which they can do; there is a scarcity of means with which to support the child in school; and in some instances where neither of these nor any other plausible excuse presents itself, the simple fact that the parents can not bear the thought of the separation will keep many from sending their children away to school. As a consequence of these excuses, the child remains at home, and is lost to the cause of truth. True, he may live a respectable and valuable life in his community. Yet this is not for what God has given us our children. He claims every child, and we should bend every effort to so educate and train them that they may do a large work for him. Will not all our parents follow the example of our Heavenly Father in giving their children to a perishing world? Shall we not train them continually to have a love for missionary work?

Shall we not hold ever before them the great needs of dying humanity? Surely, the heathen Spartan parents ought not to put us to shame. Surely, we should have as true a love for an eternal kingdom as had they for a temporal one. We should joy to give our children and our means for the advancement of God's cause in the earth. If all who can and should, would send their children to our schools to receive a fitting for Christian warfare, there would need to be a great increase in our schools. May God give to us his spirit of sacrifice.

F. G.