Childhood by J. Clarke

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 22, 1858

Childhood.

By J. Clarke

"I HAVE fed you with milk and not with meat; for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able." 1 Cor. iii, 2.

Babes in Christ—shall we always remain so? Shall we remain children and make no progress, no advance? Have we Christ for a teacher, and yet always remain in the rudiments of godliness? Shall we always remain carnal and walk as men? (Unrenewed.) Shall we defile the temple of God? Shall we deceive ourselves by glorying in self or in men?

Babes are self-wise, yet knowing nothing aright. They need constant attention, or they would destroy themselves. They are often unwilling to learn the most salutary and important lessons. They need correction and vigilant watchfulness, in their education. "Brethren, be not children in understanding; howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be ye men." 1 Cor. xiv, 21.

Children have little jealousies, often little disputes about trifles, sometimes they have whims, and willful ways of their own, causing parents, or guardians and teachers much trouble, anxiety and pain. Sometimes they fret and tease. They are often stubborn and rebellious, and need the rod, and while in childhood they are a burden and a care to their parents and teachers, rather an expensive incumbrance, than useful and helpful, oftener causing anxiety and pain than joy and happiness; but as they advance in years, they can become a source of consolation, a help, a delight to their parents.

We, if truly Christ's, are in the school of Christ. Jesus is our Teacher, our Guardian, and Guide. He is a good teacher, and if we do not progress it is our own fault. He has provided needful food, and if we fail to partake and become lean, we cannot blame him. He is a skillful and untiring teacher; and if we remain always in the first principles, the rudiments, and make little or no progress, the guilt must fall upon self. We have a kind and forbearing teacher; do not let us tax his patience; it is cruel, when we consider how much he has forgiven and suffered for his scholars.

As a teacher, how he desires his scholars to advance in their studies. As scholars, how we may lighten the labor of our teacher. As a parent, how he desires to see his children grow and increase in stature, and become a help and a comfort, rather than a clog and a care; as children, how we may please and honor and glorify our heavenly Father.

But how lamentable is our case, to whom it is said, "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk, is unskillful in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe; but strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." Heb. v, 12-14.

Still let us who are babes take courage; it is no small inheritance to be a child in such a family, for even weak babes are heirs in law. So let us who are babes strive to lay aside childish things, as a manly brother in our Father's family has said, "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment, and this will we do if God permit: for it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance." See Heb. vi. Let us improve our opportunities and become men in understanding; in malice, children. J. CLARKE.