Important to Parents

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 4, 1857

Important to Parents.

DISCIPLINE OF THE YOUNG.—The oldest son of President Edwards, congratulating a friend on having a family of sons, said to him with much earnestness, "Remember, there is but one mode of family government. I have brought up and educated fourteen boys, two of whom I brought, or rather suffered to grow up without the rod. One of those was my youngest brother, and the other Aaron Burr, my sister's only son," both of whom had lost their parents in their childhood; "and from both my observation and experience, I tell you, sir, a maple-sugar government will never answer. Beware how you let the first act of disobedience in your little boys go unnoticed, and unless evidence of repentance be manifest, unpunished."

"Of all the sermons I have heard," said the narrator, "long or short, this has been among the most useful, so far as this world is concerned. It is a solemn lesson, to be prayerfully pondered by all parents and guardians." The Bible lays down four great rules, involving the four great elements of the successful training of children—prayer, instruction, example, and restraint. And it is doubted if a solitary case can be found where all these have been united, where the child has not followed in the footsteps of the pious parent: while, on the other hand, if but only one of the four have been neglected, it may have been the ruin of the child.

Remember, Christian parents, it is not enough to pray for, or even with, your children, if you do not also instruct them: and it will be in vain to instruct them, if your own example contradicts your teaching: and in vain will be the prayer, the instruction, the example, if like Eli, when your children do wrong, you "restrain them not." But let all be found united, and in all be faithful to your duty, and you may trust in God that he will fulfill his promise, and that your children will grow up to serve him, and to bless you for your fidelity to their highest interests.—Sel.