HOW great is the responsibility of parenthood! of begetting, and bearing, and educating a child who will be capable of enjoying the glories of eternal life, or enduring so much wo! This thought should lift every husband and wife above the plane of selfishness, and bring them to ask as did Manoah, "How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?" or the margin, "What shall be the manner of the child, and what shall be his work?" And consider well the angel's answer respecting the mother: "Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware. . . . Neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing."
Let us consider that the education of the child begins in the character of the parents, as is plainly taught in the case of Zacharias and Elisabeth. They were chosen to be the parents of the forerunner of Christ, because "they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." What a testimony is that! And we may each come up to that standard. We may each "have a conscience void of offense toward God and man." We may give our children a heredity against which they will not have to contend all their lives. Like John the Baptist, every child is entitled to be a welcome child, and bring "great rejoicing at his birth," and be "trained in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."
The Two Readers The child trying to read the book; the mother trying to read the child
The word "train" suggests a vine with clinging tendrils. Is not that a beautiful similitude of a little child? Yes, indeed, they are constantly reaching out for something to cling to, constantly seeking to learn. The father and mother are intended by God to supply all the support and wisdom the little child needs.
Many parents appreciate the sacredness of this trust, and improve their opportunities the best they can. But do they fulfil their mission, when the little clinging hands are pushed aside, and the little pleading face is clouded by their lack of time? So busy with everything under the light of the shining sun, with time for everything but their dearest treasure, their most precious responsibility! Would to God that parents might appreciate their blessed opportunity while their children are about them; before they have learned to cling to other supports, that will pierce them with sorrow; before they receive an education in the way that leads to death. The precious promise is ours that if our children are trained in the way they should go, when they are old, they will not depart from this way. They may depart for a time, but in the end their parents' teaching will prevail. And the Gospel brings hope to those parents who from lack of knowledge, or any other cause, did not give their children this right training in early life. When they do see the right way, instead of becoming discouraged, let them remember that Jesus can heal and repair every wound that sin or neglect has made; and let them take hold of God's strength, who does not will that any should perish, and they may yet each have the glorious privilege of saying, "Here am I, Lord, and the children Thou hast given me." And they may all "come to Zion with praise and rejoicing."
