Lead the Children to Christ.
Let two examples tell what I mean. I knew a father who never ceased to pray in secret with a daughter, at least occasionally, until she, a young lady, came forward and took her place by his side among the professed people of God. I knew a mother who never ceased to pray in secret with a son, until she was permitted to bring him with her to the table of the Lord. I hardly need to say that these were converted young, or that they beautifully adorned the profession of faith which they thus imbibed from their parent's devotion. Mark: we cannot send an infant into the street to learn to walk all by itself, because it has limbs of its own. We aid those tottering, stumbling little feet till they are strong enough to walk alone, and then let them go forth. Even so we are bound to sustain and guide the feet of prayer till indeed the little ones pray—not merely say their prayers. We are bound to lead them toward Christ till indeed they meet him, and we are sure we have put their little hands into his. In other words, parents are under the most sacred obligation to superintend the private devotions of their children till their little hearts catch from them the true flame of prayer, till they love prayer, till they can pray alone, and will pray alone. But how many parents, after having begun this work, it may be, in the earliest infancy of their children, drop it just at the point where there is hope of its becoming really effectual? The mother teaches the little one to "say its prayers" for the little time that it is too young to go to bed alone; but as soon as it is able to undress itself, or be trusted with a light, it is sent off with an occasional heartless injunction, "Don't you forget your prayers;" and soon she knows not whether or not any attempt is made to pray. God said to his ancient people, "Thou shalt teach these words which I command thee, diligently unto thy children * * * when thou liest down and when thou risest up." The quiet hour when "he lieth down," when the day can all be calmly reviewed in the light of conscience, is the time when the door of the child's heart is most open, when evil can be best turned out of it, and Christ be brought in. Lead the children till you are sure you have brought them all the way to the Saviour. Never let go their hands till then.—Evangelist.