"That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner-stones, polished after the similitude of a palace." Ps. 144:12.
NOTE.-We often hear the saying, "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world." This is not out of keeping with the saying of the wise man, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Prov. 22:6. No father or mother knows the future of the little child prattling about the home circle. But G.o.d knows, as He did in the cases of Moses and Esther and Timothy. Whether it is His purpose for some of our children to rule the world, as did Joseph and Daniel virtually, as prime ministers; or for some of them to "stand before kings," as did Moses and Esther and Daniel; or for some of them to serve and suffer for the name of Christ, as did Peter and John and Paul, it is our sacred privilege to teach the children faithfully and diligently during their tender years.
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
Christ Blessing Little Children. "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me." Matt. 19:14.
Promises For The Children
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
Eli And Samuel. "Of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 19:14.
1. What is said of the fifth commandment?
"Honor thy father and mother; which is _the first commandment with promise_." Eph. 6:2.
2. What is promised those who honor their father and their mother?
"Honor thy father and thy mother: _that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy G.o.d giveth thee_." Ex. 20:12.
3. What does G.o.d desire to teach the children?
"Come, ye children, harken unto Me: _I will teach you the fear of the Lord_." Ps. 34:11.
4. What is the fear of the Lord declared to be?
"The fear of the Lord is _the beginning of wisdom_: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments." Ps. 111:10.
5. What is said of the poor but wise child?
"_Better_ is a poor and a wise child _than an old and foolish king_, who will no more be admonished." Eccl. 4:13.
6. How did Christ show His tender regard for children?
"_Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me_: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 19:14.
7. How did He show that He loved them?
"And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them." Mark 10:16.
8. With what promise do the Old Testament Scriptures close?
"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and _he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers_, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." Mal. 4:5, 6.
NOTE.-From this we learn that while disobedience to parents and the breaking up of home ties will characterize the last days (2 Tim. 3:1-3; Matt. 24:37-39; Gen. 6:1, 2), G.o.d"s message for the last days will strengthen the cords of love and affection, and bind the hearts of parents and children together.
9. What peaceful, happy conditions will prevail in the next world as compared with those of this life?
"They shall not labor in vain, _nor bring forth for trouble_; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and _their offspring with them_."
"_The sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the c.o.c.katrice" den._ They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Isa. 65:23; 11:8, 9.
A pair of very chubby legs Incased in scarlet hose, A pair of little stubby boots With rather doubtful toes, A little kilt, a little coat, Cut as a mother can- And, lo! before us strides in state The future"s "coming man."
Ah! blessings on those little hands, Whose work is yet undone, And blessings on those little feet, Whose race is yet unrun.
And blessings on the little brain, That has not learned to plan.
Whatever the future holds in store, G.o.d bless the "coming man."
Evils Of City Life
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
The Burning Of Sodom. "And Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain." Gen.
13:12.
1. When Abraham told Lot to choose that part of the country which he preferred, what choice did Lot make?
"And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord.... _Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan._" Gen. 13:10, 11.
2. Where did Lot dwell?
"Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and _Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom_." Verse 12.
3. What was the character of the inhabitants of Sodom?
"But the men of Sodom were _wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly_." Verse 13.
4. What further description is given of this city?
"Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, _pride_, _fulness of bread_, and _abundance of idleness_ was in her and in her daughters, _neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy_. And they were _haughty_, and _committed abomination_ before Me: therefore I took them away as I saw good." Eze. 16:49, 50. See Gen. 19:1-9.
5. How did their conduct affect Lot?