“FORBEARING THREATENING.”
By Albert Stone
This inspired prohibition, recorded in Eph. 6: 9, relates to the domestic relation of masters and servants. It is a pity that parents should, as they sometimes do, transgress this caution given to masters. Natural affection alone, were it exercised evenly, would prevent it. But when passion rules, natural affection, for the time being, is not. Of all places on earth, the household should be a place of circumspection and propriety of conduct. There is where children receive their first and most durable impressions. The proper thing for parents to do is to be in their families first what they wish their children to be in their future life, and to teach them such lessons as will best qualify them for life’s responsibilities and duties. The moulding influence of parental instruction and example upon children, be it right or wrong, is very great. Some threaten their children with punishments, to inflict which, would be most unnatural and sinful. In nearly every instance where this evil habit obtains license to appear once on the stage, it becomes chronic, and throws in a claim for a permanent residence. Such a habit is utterly opposed to the spirit and practice of the Christian religion. Such parents have inconsiderately and inexcusably fallen into this bad practice, which one half hour of serious, prayerful consideration would cure. Think of it, dear, delinquent mother. You hold the rein of passion loosely, or rather, you do not hold it at all, on this subject. Satan so controls your mind here that you go off at half bent, and accept at his hand a vocabulary of phrases, from which you select those which seem to you best adapted to the degree of your momentary insanity. Truly here is an anomaly in nature: the natural affection of a professedly Christian mother practically annihilated for the time being, and she become the medium of Satan, through which he talks to her innocent children in language only befitting his Satanic majesty. The sin consists in giving place to the devil. The result is, God is displeased, family government is broken down, parents become servants, and children masters. “Set thy house in order. Behold the judge standeth before the door.”