THE CHILDREN AND THE SABBATH.
By A. C. B.
How can I teach my children to love the Sabbath? How can I induce them to keep it to the honor of God and to their own profit? These are questions that come with force and deep interest to the mothers of little children. I offer a few thoughts: In the first place, love the Sabbath yourself. Meditate on the law of God, and pray until you are full of holy gladness that you are privileged to understand its true meaning and obligation. As you move about the house attending to your duties, the children will catch your spirit. Begin some of your preparations on Thursday—sweeping, for instance—that you may not have too many cares pressing you on Friday. Then let the children, as soon as they are old enough, assist you. Have them arrange their toys for your inspection before bathing time. They may keep their books, papers, cards, pictures, anything that is suitable and pretty, in a neat box, to be used only on Sabbath days: in this way the enjoyment is new every week. Let a long new slate pencil be sharpened ready for use; and slates and sponges, all clean, be hung in their places. If they have a Noah’s ark, or a set of picture, letter, or motto blocks, they can be used with great profit and pleasure as a means of instruction, and should be reserved for Sabbath. Then, with cooking all done, house in order, and clean clothing on, all will be looking forward eagerly to the beginning of holy time. Little feet will be running to the windows, and sweet, earnest voices asking, “Mamma, isn’t Sabbath almost here?” Show the children that you look forward to this as a time of especial blessing, and your faith will gain the reward for yourself and for them. Let family worship be earnest and pointed. A short Bible story will be acceptable to the little folks before bed-time, and a few songs in which they can join, will be all the enlivenment they ask. Let all be up early in the morning. We do not cheat ourselves on week days, let us not cheat the Lord on the Sabbath. After a simple breakfast, let each take part in family worship, thanking God for this blessed rest-day, and asking for his grace to assist in spending it aright. If near a house of worship, church and Sabbath-school will occupy the morning; if not, let each home be a meeting-house, and, with the blessing of God, I know this will be great gain. After dinner, which should not be as hearty as on other days, the little ones will be eager for their clean slates, with the nice new pencils, and their box of Sabbath books. Part of the day should be given to them, and they should understand that, when left to themselves, they hold a trust, not only from you, but from God, which they ought, in all honor, to strive to keep sacred. One hour at a time is long enough to leave children from three to ten years of age to amuse themselves; for the arch-fiend is busy, and often finds good soil in young hearts. As the hour for evening worship draws near, let each talk freely of the way the day has been spent, and think how God’s record-book stands. Self-examination is easily comprehended by a child, and is excellent discipline for the growing mind. I have kept the Sabbath alone with my children for nearly three years, and God has blessed my efforts; for they love the Sabbath, are glad when it comes, sorry to see it close, and often exclaim, “How short Sabbaths are!” A. C. B. Hermitage, Mendocino Co., Cal.