TRAINING THE LITTLE ONES FOR SERVICE.
By M. E. Olsen
CHILDREN should be taught to find their own greatest happiness in ministering to the happiness and well-being of others. This is a lesson which they can begin to learn very young, and it is one which will be of inestimable value to them in after life. A properly educated child will get far more real enjoyment from taking a basket of food or some needed clothing to a poor family, and seeing how much good it does them, than from a whole day's sport on the playground or in the nursery. Some parents have misguided opinions with reference to these things, and think that their children must not be allowed to see want or suffering anywhere. This is neglecting a very important part of a child's training. It is leaving him in ignorance of the things which he must know in order to form correct views of life, and develop into a useful member of society. The world is full of sin and sorrow and trouble. The rising generation should be taught that they are under solemn obligations to God and to their fellow-men to do what is in their power to lessen this tide of wo and sin. They should be taught that it is both a duty and a privilege to comfort the sorrowing, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to share with others all the good things which the Lord has given to them. Tell the children the story of our Saviour's life, which was spent in just such work, and let them understand that you consider a life devoted to the moral, spiritual, and physical uplifting of fallen humanity as the highest ideal that any one can aspire to. Read to them at an early age from the lives of such missionaries as Livingston, Judson, Williams, Carey, Moffat,11etc. Make them acquainted with the work being done in our own missions as related in the Medical Missionary and other journals. Draw out their sympathy for the children in the various orphan homes. Take them along to your missionary meetings, where they will learn to sing missionary songs, help wrap papers, etc. But be sure that they are actively engaged in helping the poor and needy, the sick and suffering. This is something that readily appeals to their sensitive natures, and with only a little encouragement, they will teach themselves valuable lessons in self-sacrifice, and will be all the time getting real enjoyment out of it. You will be surprised to see how quickly the hearts of your children will respond to this kind of teaching, and it will be your rich privilege day by day to see your boys and girls growing up into noble manhood and womanhood. Sanitarium, Battle Creek, Mich.