p. 10 | A CHAPTER TO CHILDREN by George C. Tenney

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Apr 25, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 17.

A CHAPTER TO CHILDREN.

By George C. Tenney

WHILE we all admit that children, as well as grown people, have rights to which they are entitled, it is true that there are some wrongs to which children are exposed even if they are not entitled. The child is born into the world with a sacred obligation resting upon him toward his parents, and that obligation never ceases while he and his parents live. It is true that, as his immediate dependence upon his parents decreases, his own independence increases in certain directions. But, as his independence increases, his accountability also increases. Many children are anxious for the time when restraint will no longer be brought to bear upon them. It seems like an irksome bondage to be in any measure accountable to father or mother, and they fondly imagine that to overleap those restraints would at once land them into the realms of perfect liberty, where their manhood or womanhood can assert itself to the full.

Now the thoughtful child knows better than that. He knows full well that a person always steps out from the sponsorship of father and mother into personal accountability to God.

The wise child will wish rather to abide under that sponsorship until called upon to act and live for himself. Then will it be early enough to assume the awful responsibility of his own actions. Many and many a person at the bar of God will wish with anguish of soul that the days of their personal accountability had been postponed until they had learned to avoid some of the deeds whose dreadful consequences they must now meet. God in mercy provided that the child, up to the age of accountability, could hide behind the responsibility of parents. But, foolishly enough, many children regard this great privilege as a disagreeable restraint, from which they are anxious to escape. The desire to escape the espionage of parents leads children to disregard the claims of all older people to respect.

In consequence of all this, children become heady and high-minded. They can not brook restraint, and their impetuosity goes with them into manhood and mature age. The abounding crimes and violence of these days are the result of the unrestrained license which children demand. It would be well if many of our boys would pause a moment and consider the painful position into which their parents are thrust. Here is a boy who demands the liberty of his own will. His parents well know that this means his ruin, and therefore feel that they can not grant all that he asks and be faithful to their obligations. But he insists that unless his way be conceded, and all restraint be swept away, he will leave the family and go into the world, where he can enjoy the fullest license. This the parents see would be fatal to their son. But what are they to do? Many prefer to suffer their unreasonable children to remain at home, domineering the family and overrunning all restraint, appearing not to think for a moment that there is anything in this world that is entitled to any consideration that does not coincide with their ideas or will.

Some will say that this sad picture does not represent all the children. We thank God that that is true. If it did we should be hopelessly lost. It is a sight that angels delight to witness when they behold an example of true filial love and obedience. The child that is willing to submit his will to the leadership of his parents is learning precious lessons that will be of the utmost value to him in all days to come.

G. C. TENNEY.