THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OF THE CHILD.
By MRS. C. M. SNOW.
We have heard of a parent who said, “If I clothe and feed my boy, my duty is done.” Some parents, however, realize that the education and training of their child are as much their duty as to supply its temporal needs. Yet of these a large number devote their time to the mental and physical improvement of the child. If they “keep him straight” during the week, and see that he is in his place at school promptly every Sabbath morning, they have a satisfied feeling of “well done” on their part, and leave his spiritual education to the teacher. That promptness is a great help to the teacher every one knows who has greeted tardy pupils. They are welcome, and yet their entrance occasions an interruption. A synopsis of the lesson so far recited must be given to the new-comer, and thus the study for the hour delayed. And how short a time an hour is for Bible culture! Let us think of a mountain rivulet as it comes sparkling, dancing down over its rocky bed. Each day a deeper channel is worn. Some farmer wishes to use a piece of land over which it glides, so turns the chattering stream aside into another course. For one hour each week he changes its current into another channel, the remainder of the time allowing it to run as of yore. How long a time will elapse ere any permanent change is effected? Even so the child comes laughing down the stream of life. Life seems to him a joyous, playful thing. Yet hourly, momentarily, he is marking out the course in which his future is apt to flow. How carefully, prayerfully, then, should the parent guide in this work! It is a burden he can not lay down for even a moment—except at the foot of the cross. “Cast thy burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.” And only by taking counsel of the divine Teacher can the parent rightly direct his child. Not by arbitrary command or hasty reprimand can the parent assist in this important work of character forming. Often a mere mischievous impulse is changed into absolute evil by a stern, angry rebuke—from one who has the child’s best good at heart. When desiring to change the course of the brook, the little stream was not admonished or reprimanded; its embankments were so changed that it would easily flow in the desired course. Can not this be done in child life? When the watchful eye of the parent detects a wrong tendency in his child, can not its environments be so changed that true correction will be accomplished, so that the failure shall not grow13into a fault? In this way the beautiful chord of love between parent and child would be saved from the discord that often mars its harmony and jars on the sensitive heart of the child. Its thoughts can imperceptibly be drawn into another channel. A little boy who was considered quite unmanageable, caused considerable anxiety to his teacher by his inattention in Sabbath-school. One day she made a happy discovery. He was passionately fond of ships. From this center she could lead his interest almost anywhere. And what a wide field of knowledge could thus be opened up to him in the life of Christ and His apostles! Have you ever noticed from how many avenues the precious truths of the Bible may be reached? By forming an intimate acquaintance with each pupil you will find some theme especially attractive to him, by means of which you can lead him to the great storehouse of knowledge. In preparing a dinner the cook carefully mixes the various ingredients. Dishes are prepared to suit the appetite of the different members of the family. In preparing our Sabbath-school meal equal care should be used. The taste of each pupil should be considered, and some ingredient be added to suit his case especially. If this is not done, the meal may cause spiritual drowsiness in some, and will likely be untasted by others. All children can not be treated alike. One who is so fortunate as to be—and know that he is—his mother’s pet and darling, should not meet with the somewhat reserved courtesy which is most appreciated by another. Some boys who are worried at home by a fretful, overworked mother (who loves them better than does any one else on earth, but is too tired and impatient to show her love) will be bound firmly to his teacher by wisely-chosen words and looks of appreciation. The florist studies his plants individually, and apportions to each the conditions most conducive to its welfare. One requires shade, another heat; one moist earth, another dry. Shall we give less attention to these plants that we are rearing for heavenly transplanting? The work of the mother and teacher is the most responsible, the most holy on earth. The minister works largely with those whose character is already formed. But Jesus and the angels share their sacred work of molding character with the parent and the teacher. Then how tenderly, how judiciously, should they seek unitedly to do this work! Neither is sufficient of himself alone. As partners in business affairs hold long and earnest consultations as to the most efficient means of procedure, so will this firm, with Christ as the senior partner, hold sweet counsel together. The parent will feel that he can not travel heavenward alone. At the gates of pearl he will be able to say, “Behold I and the children which God hath given me.” “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.”