p. 203 | Do Children Notice? by J. A. Dayton

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 24, 1864

Do Children Notice?

By J. A. Dayton

Is a question often asked and as often answered in the affirmative, yet, with a strange inconsistency of conduct, often denied by those who assert it, for they seem to act in a manner which would lead one to conclude they either did not believe it, or cared but little for the influence their conduct might have upon the minds of those around them. It cannot be denied that children are watchful; and their perceptions of character and of right and wrong are often much more keen than would be readily admitted; yet this cannot lessen the fact, or release us from the responsibility. And though with seemingly good intentions we may argue that because they are children we have no need of the restraint we use in the presence of those of riper years, yet as none can tell exactly the extent of the influence his actions may have upon another, so none may presume to exercise indifference in regard to it. There is a power in example that we find in nothing else. Look for a moment at that pensive child. Why does he start? What means that scornful curl of the lip, that sudden flush of anger, the tearful eye, and wildly heaving bosom? 'Tis but a child! True, but he has marked that unguarded word, the action, good or bad has left its trace. The influence tells.

I well remember a circumstance that came under my observation not very long since, which, as it may serve to illustrate my meaning, I will relate. In the quiet little town of ***** the Superintendent of a Sabbath School had been earnestly endeavoring to impress upon the minds of the children the importance of perfect obedience to every requirement of God's law, and, calling especial attention to the ninth command remarked that every deviation from truth, however slight was a violation of it, and perhaps some of us may break it unwittingly, but we must be watchful, and, he continued, I want you all to watch me, and if you find me breaking it, you must tell me. It chanced the next day, the Superintendent called with other brethren, to visit the parents of one of these children. Time passed pleasantly. The hour of dinner arrived, and the brother was about to take his leave, but the father politely invited him to remain. "No," said he, "I am going home to dinner." He urged. The brother stayed. After dinner, the child, who had been present, went to the Superintendent, and innocently thinking to do as he was bid, said to him, "Sir, you have broken the ninth commandment." "Broken the ninth commandment?" he exclaimed. "How so?" "Why," said the child, "father asked you to stay to dinner, and you replied that you were going home to dinner; yet you remained. Was not that breaking it?" And thus the child had reasoned. What could he say? Nothing. He had told the child to watch, and he was obeyed; and though he had not the least intention to do any harm, yet who shall be able to measure the extent of its influence upon the mind of this child?

Would we have an influence for good let us be watchful. Not one of us can escape the vigilance of Satan and his hosts. He watches every unguarded point. Shall we alone be sleeping? The word of warning is,

"Let us not sleep as do others but let us watch and be sober," and "What I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch."

Chesaning, Mich.