How Shall We Order the Child? by Mrs. M. E. Steward

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 19, 1914

"How Shall We Order the Child?"

By Mrs. M. E. Steward

MRS. M. E. STEWARD

How many parents realize, in their daily intercourse with their children, that they are constantly assisting in forming characters that will decide eternal destinies? How few remember that the harvest will always be true to the seed sown! A father kept all his pennies to give to his little son for occasional services, and for being good. That child is liable to grow up selfish and covetous; he already regards money as a most desirable thing. It is a bad thing for a child to expect pay for whatever he does. There is a better way.

Suppose the father comes in tired, and thirsty, and dusty. Without being asked, the little one runs for the brush, and tries to sweep the dust from his papa's feet, who tenderly thanks him, while he takes a chair on the porch. "Would my son mind bringing me a drink of cool water?" Lovingly the child obeys. Soon papa says: "Don't you think auntie would like a drink, too? She has no dear little boy now. Poor, lonesome auntie!" The child's sympathies are aroused; he quietly slips up to her side, lays his head on her shoulder, and asks, "May I do something for you, auntie?" "I would like some water, dearie." On his return with the cool drink, auntie takes him on her lap, and says, "You are a good boy." Going back to his parents, papa says, "My son, that makes me very happy; we like to have our boy imitate the precious Saviour who went about doing good." That child has entered a path in which, if he continues, he will be a blessing to the world. He will not think he must have compensation for every service he renders, thus making himself disagreeable and a byword.

A mother says to her little daughter: "Stop scowling; you will spoil your pretty face. Come here and see what a beautiful frock I have made you. Put it on and look in the glass and see what a pretty picture there is there." The child stands long at the mirror, admiring herself. Such a course will surely make her a frivolous, vain young lady, hungering for admiration, and an easy prey for the white-slaver.

Some children were prepared to take part in a public exhibition. They were dressed like dolls, and their mother said earnestly, "Now, girls, I want you to act like little ladies, and Harry to behave like a gentleman." She had never explained to them what it is to be ladies and gentlemen at heart, in soul and spirit. These children become charmed with the tinselry of earth, for they have no anchor of moral rectitude to hold them. How will it be when they have to meet the duties and responsibilities and the crushing burdens which every one is called to bear more or less in ripened life?

There are children who can "arise up, and call" their mother "blessed." They bless her for the wisdom and strength of character she gave them in early life. O, is not this worth all the sacrifice of pretty vanities and unsatisfying triumphs a child can ever gain?

Our wonderful Pattern never did anything during his thirty years of home life to call attention to himself. But his quick eye never missed a case of need, and his ready hand and tender sympathy relieved sorrow. Such sympathy has our Saviour today. Mothers may find in him a wise adviser, a tender and sympathetic helper at all times. He says to God-fearing parents, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee." He will be to you "a very present help in trouble."

Sanitarium, Cal.