A Safe Rule of Judgment.
By George I. Butler
“WISDOM is justified by all her children.” This is the Douay rendering of Luke 7:35. These words were spoken by our Saviour in reference to the fault-finding spirit of the generation who lived when he was upon the earth. They found fault with John because he was very abstemious in his diet; and when the Saviour commenced his ministry, they found fault with him because he was not so. They could not be pleased with any course that could be pursued. But Jesus intimates that they were both justified in the course they pursued, and had all the circumstances been properly appreciated, it would have been known that wisdom actuated them both. While the mission of John was one involving great sorrow, labor, and perplexity, to himself in bringing up a lukewarm church to an appreciation of their duties and present responsibilities, in view of a Saviour near to come, it would be fitting that fasting should be seen in connection with it. But when that Saviour had come, circumstances were different. This was an event anticipated with great joy by every age, and when it was consummated it would not be fitting that his disciples should go about the streets fasting, with evident sorrow, or for him, their Master, to do so. “Wisdom was justified by her children” in both cases. This is a safe rule of judgment in every case—to judge of a thing by its results. Two persons labor in the same business: both pursue an opposite course, yet both think they are acting wisely. Sometimes it may be important that we should be able to ascertain which is really doing so. Our Saviour’s rule is a good one. Wisdom will be justified in every case by the one who really acts according to it. The result will demonstrate which has been wise. To illustrate: Two men start out in life as farmers. One of them looking mainly to present blessings and ease goes much upon credit, and by means of the money of others he has at command, has plenty of blessings around him; such as good buildings, good teams, good stock, carriages, &c. His family dress well, and to an outward observer he seems to be thriving finely; and he himself may be often deceived as to his real condition, and fancy himself well off. His neighbors think him a shrewd man, a lucky fellow; and he enjoys quite a reputation. But in the meantime he is paying interest largely and is not so economical in the expenditure of means as his real condition demands. His wants are numerous, to keep up appearances. He runs behind more and more, till finally, with a life half spent, he finds himself bankrupt. How many times this is repeated before our eyes; and perhaps some of the readers of this article are going over this same ground. We may be sure this is not wisdom. Another person starts out in life with a different principle. He determines to pay as he goes. He adopts that great principle of financial safety to buy no more than he can pay for. His real wants are just as numerous as the other’s; but he thinks it best to forego them till he has the means to pay for them. His diet is plain, his clothes coarse, and perhaps he gets the name of being a small-minded man. But he has adopted a principle that looks to him correct. He follows it because he thinks it is right. He lives strictly within his means, and works with energy. His condition gradually improves till his neighbors gain confidence in his integrity. One step after another is gained till he has a handsome property. The latter portion of his life he is surrounded by comparative wealth. All this shows he has adopted the true principle of safety. Wisdom is justified of her children. Perhaps there is nothing that demands wisdom more than the training of children. The object to be gained is of immense importance. To train a family of children so they will be valuable members of society, moral and upright, whose influence in society will always be found on the right side, and above all, who will possess a Christian character, and live eternally in the kingdom of God, is a matter of mighty magnitude. The promise of God seems sure: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” This is very definite. It can be done then, and the sure result be reached. But here is where the wisdom is needed. As a general rule the course that seems most difficult at first will be the wisest in the end. It seems easier to pacify the child by letting it have its own way so as to get along easily, rather than to teach it to submit its will to proper authority. It is no small thing to learn this lesson. But there is never any real tranquillity or peace in the family without it. It will take much patience, labor, perplexity, and possibly the infliction of pain, to bring it about. How much easier to pacify the child by letting it have its own way for the present, or perhaps divert its mind, or buy a temporary peace by bribing with some gift. This is the general course pursued. But the sure result is, such a child grows up with an unsubdued will, and unless it can have its own way there is constant trouble. It becomes selfish and reckless of the feelings of others. How many such families are seen, some of them almost a hell on earth. But in the other case, with a firm conviction of the correctness of these principles, the parent commences early to stamp the lesson of obedience to just authority upon the tender mind of the child, at first mildly, but continues it with a steady purpose, many times with great perplexity and care, but with a full determination that the end shall be gained. At the age of five or six perhaps the main battle is fought and the victory won. The child expects to submit at once, and cheerfully. All that is necessary then is to wisely but firmly maintain what is gained. Such a family will be the abode of peace, and will amply repay the labor and care previously expended. But a person must expect in pursuing the latter course to constantly meet objections to this strictness from the former class. And individuals whose system of family training has been a wretched failure, if judged by its results, will be very free to give advice and find fault with those who are strict and firm. These lose sight of the principle that “wisdom is justified of her children.” Here is the important principle that should ever be remembered. Those who are qualified to give advice in any direction are those who have succeeded therein. The same principle holds equally true in the ministry. Those who succeed in bringing many souls into the fold of Christ, will be found to have followed some principle of wisdom in bringing it about, and those who have not been successful could evidently learn of them were they willing to take the pains to do so. Others are able to settle difficulties in churches and by their influence keep things moving forward prosperously. They do so because they have some correct principles of action which they follow. These things are not the result of luck or hap-hazard. This is a rule that will hold good in all the walks of life. Let us all remember that “wisdom is justified by her children.”