p. 613 | UN-CHILDLIKE CHILDREN by W. F. Hoskins

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 6, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 39.

UN-CHILDLIKE CHILDREN.

By W. F. Hoskins

We reprint the following article from the Review and Herald, for which it was contributed, with a most hearty good-will. We hope it will be read by everybody who has children or the care of them, and that after it is read it will be remembered and needed.

In localities where "Band of Hope" societies and similar gatherings are maintained, often a very prominent part of the program consists in recitations and other exercises by very small children, especially little girls. I have frequently seen little girls six or eight years of age, and even younger, called up to declaim or sing before large audiences.

These jewels of the home thus exposed to challenge the admiration of the public, are by no means unconscious that all eyes are fixed upon them, and, young though they be, they are not too young to flush with pleasure at the applause which follows their effort. The doting parents and friends, highly gratified by this juvenile display, seem to overlook entirely the fact that great and lasting injury may, in this way, be done the little ones.

Can it be hoped that the seeds of pride thus early sown in the young and impressible heart of the child, will bear no baneful fruit in after years? Will not the love of approbation, the praise-seeking spirit, thus engendered, sadly unfit the little one to meet and overcome the temptations of a world whose friendship "is enmity with God"? James 4:4. Nurtured under the glare of such publicity as can but crush out true modesty, will the child develop a character adorned with the "meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price"? 1 Pet. 3:4.

These are questions that mothers should consider well before they permit their little daughters to barter away that which is most beautiful in woman, for the mere gratification of their love of applause. Indeed, we need not look far into the future to see the effect of this kind of training; it manifests itself very quickly. The artless grace of childhood that was at first so pleasing, so beautiful, is soon exchanged for a boldness that ill becomes one of such tender years.

After the little girl has been induced to come before the public once or twice, coaxing is no longer necessary; praise is sweet. It is surprising how eagerly the children will listen for their names to be read on the program for the next meeting. This being true, it is not surprising that the results mentioned should soon follow. Are children not thus robbed of their childhood, of the very characteristics that make them a type or an example of those who should enter the kingdom of Heaven? Matt. 18:2-4; Luke 18:16, 17.

With such training, it will be little wonder that "the daughters of Zion are haughty." Isa. 3:16-24. That this work is connected with a good cause offers no excuse, since the child gains nothing that could not be imparted to it in other ways free from objection.

W. F. HOSKINS.

Muscatine, Iowa.