PARENTS AS SOUL-WINNERS.
By Lily Manker Allen
Lily Manker Allen, in the Christian World. WHEN we consider how easily little children may be won for Christ, how naturally and lovingly they turn to Him almost from babyhood, we cannot but wonder why so many children of godly parents grow up without becoming Christians. I believe the chief reason for this state of affairs is because the child was not led to see that he was expected to give himself to Christ in childhood; that his acceptance of Christ was not ratified, as it were, by a definite surrender of himself. As he grows older, there comes a feeling of shyness in regard to sacred things, and he begins to hide his deepest feelings from others; and finally, not being definitely committed in the matter, he finds himself afloat to drift, it may be, among whirlpools and rapids and dangerous shoals, until perchance some strong impulse later in life shall lead him to seek and find anchorage. But how much harder it will be then! This is the course that parents are unwittingly leaving open to their children when they endeavor to leave them entirely unbiased during their early years, trusting that they will make the right choice “when they are old enough to decide for themselves;” but the parent who would avoid all this for his child should improve the blessed opportunities of early childhood. How much better to grow up and unfold in a sunny atmosphere than to be torn up by the roots later on, and transplanted to the spot where the Gardener wants them to be. By surrender to Christ I do not mean uniting with the Church, although that is often the beautiful sequence, and is certainly to be expected sooner or later. Nor would I intimate that the parent can take his child all the way, for no father or mother can give a change of heart. But we may go further than we often realize; and I would like to suggest some ways in which the parent may help the child to decide for Christ:— 1. By seizing the opportunity, when there is a loving desire in the heart, a softened turning toward the good, to invite the child to give himself now. 2. By renewed consecration. On birthday anniversaries, or occasions of deep experiences, the kneeling together of the family to reconsecrate themselves will help the members from slipping back or growing worldly. 3. By sharing our spiritual experiences with our children. It is natural that we should treasure in our hearts our sacred experiences—there is an instinctive shyness in regard to them. But is there not another side? It has been said, “Some experiences are too sacred to be kept.” I believe if Christians would open their hearts more to one another, that the kingdom would come far sooner. We are to be “stewards of the mystery of godliness,” and we shall be held accountable for the way in which the experiences granted us are used to help others. But, however it may be outside our family circle, surely we owe it to our children to let them know what God means to us. The mother who, surprised at her devotions, hurriedly and shamefacedly makes a pretense of doing something else, instead of inviting the child to come and kneel a moment with her, misses a great blessing for herself and a greater for her child. How are our children to know what our Saviour is to us if we constantly close up that side of our being? and how can we expect to win and keep their confidence if we withhold ours from them? A father who had been deeply moved by an unusual spiritual experience came to the breakfast table with the tears still shining in his eyes. “Papa, why are tears in your eyes?” asked one of the children. He was a practical, matter-of-fact man, but instead of trying to evade the question or turning it off lightly, he simply replied, “My child, they are tears of joy for what the Lord has done for me.” Could such an answer fail to impress the children? 4. By a definite surrender on the part of the parents, of their will, time, strength, money, children, home. Many a Christian parent would be astonished, not only at the permeating, spiritualizing influence such a surrender would have upon his own life, but also to see its effect upon his children and upon the home atmosphere. If parents are manifestly absorbed in the things of this world, how can they expect their children to regard the things of Christ as of supreme importance? Happy the family that, being “not conformed to this world,” can say, “He hath made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”