CHRISTIAN
PARENTING “TRAIN UP A CHILD”
Gardiner Spring. D.D.
(1785—1873)
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents...............................2
I. ESSENTIAL TRUTHS TO TEACH OUR
CHILDREN..........................................3
1. Subjection to Authority...................3
2. Sacred Regard for Truthfulness......4
3. Industrious Habits..........................5
4. Temperance...................................6
5. Selection of Friends........................7
6. Proper Estimation of the World and
Its Culture ..........................................9
7. A Generous Spirit.........................12
II. MEASURES TO TAKE IN TEACHING
OUR CHILDREN.................................16
1. Set an Example............................16
2. Provide Vigorous Instruction........19
3. Gain Their Confidence..................23
4. Train Your Children to Be Under
Authority..........................................25
III. COURAGE! TAKE COURAGE!..........30
1. Do Not Get Weary in Well Doing. .30
2. Be a Correctable Parent...............31
3. Children– Consider Your High
Obligations.......................................32
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I. ESSENTIAL TRUTHS TO TEACH
OUR CHILDREN
1. Subjection to Authority
Time and again, the Word of God calls us to
be in subjection to authority. If there is a
place where this call should be especially
steady and certain, it is the family. And it is
a happy family who cultivates this habit of
subordination.
God has assigned the years of childhood
and youth to parental control. This wise and
generous arrangement simply cannot be
upended without jeopardizing the best
interests of our children for time and
eternity. It is an arrangement that will
preserve a child from a thousand evils.
The spirit that considers a parent's wishes—
that hesitates to violate a parent's authority
—that prefers to sacrifice its own
gratification—this spirit is one of the
strongest shields that can be thrown around
youthful character.
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In fact, this spirit of submission helps lead to
early purity. Not every dutiful child is pure,
but it certainly is more likely that such a
child will become so, rather than one of an
obstinate, unbending temper.
2. Sacred Regard for Truthfulness
A sacred regard for truth is also a prime
habit. What a difference exists in the
dispositions of children! Some rarely, if ever,
lie and some just seem to be born with a
lying tongue. It is terrifying to see how an
early habit of extravagant and false
storytelling sticks to one's character.
And what a strong barrier this lying throws
in the way of holiness and heaven! Children
must be taught the immense importance of
always speaking the truth. They must see
that love, confidence, and honor—or disgust,
distrust, and disgrace—will follow them as
they let either truth or lies lead them. Every
false statement—every art of concealment—
every exaggeration—every broken promise
—only hardens the heart. It burns the
conscience and opens another avenue to
new seductions.
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On the other hand—truth, pure truth—with
all its simplicity and loveliness—forms the
foundation of every moral virtue.
3. Industrious Habits
Do we have our eyes on our child's best
interests? We will prepare them for some
sort of useful employment. Industrious
habits have such a happy influence on the
intellectual and moral character. Many a
child has been lost—to himself—to his family
—to the world—and to God—because he had
little else to do but indulge himself. But
many have been rescued from disgrace and
ruin—and pointed toward industry,
accomplishment and happiness—simply
because they had little time for
entertainment.
Now, when we talk about hard work, are we
enemies of refinement? Certainly not—and
we do not want to prepare our children
merely for splendid accomplishments.
Courtesy and elegance also have a happy
influence on character. But combine them
with enterprising work habits, and you have
a truly powerful force.
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4. Temperance
Temperance is inseparable from a good
education. Every generation brings new and
different temptations to be intemperate. If a
child cannot be temperate, there is little
hope that he will be holy or respectable as
an adult. Intemperance in thought, word, or
deed is simply an indulgence.
For a while an uncurbed, unrestrained child
may roll right over life's bumps, but
eventually distress and ruin will come
calling.
Health, intellect, character, usefulness,
comfort, property, conscience, and the soul
—all are so easily sacrificed at the shrine of
the 'god of intemperance'. A child's mind is
the door to his heart, and our children must
think, feel, and consider clearly, before they
will repent, pray, and love.
If the God of all the earth has appointed
parents the immediate guardians of their
children's happiness, virtue, and hopes—let
us beware how we sow 'seeds of
intemperance' in infancy and nurture them
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in childhood. They are fertile seeds—and
prolific in death.
5. Selection of Friends
Parents should also consider their children's
selection of friends, and teach them wisdom
in this area. This cannot always be under
parental control, but at least we can teach
them discernment with regard to their
friends.
There are two aspects of this principle. First,
the family is the most important set of
relationships that God has given us. How we
deal with other relationships is directly
affected by how we deal with the people in
our family.
The second aspect of this principle is
recognizing how other people influence and
affect us. Idle, vicious, ignorant or skeptical
tendencies in our companions often
influence us to the detriment of our
convictions. We are sometimes unconscious
of this effect. Sin is contagious—it seems all
right if everyone else is doing it. Children
should be encouraged to flee these
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tendencies, and to live as righteous children
of God.
It is here, in the company of older friends,
that—example persuades—argument
encourages—exhortation stimulates—
flattery deceives—and ridicule mocks. Here
all that is social and sympathetic in a child is
pressed into the service of good—or evil.
"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise
—but the companion of fools will suffer
harm."—Proverbs 13:20. Many parents have
seen their hopes die in such a circle of
friends.
Our children's relaxation and even their
employment (where possible) should ideally
be at home. No matter where they are, their
entertainment should never bring reproach
upon a well-governed and godly family.
This means that parents may need to deny
themselves some creature comforts. Is this
unthinkable in our current affluence? If by a
few sacrifices you could purchase for your
children the habit of loving their home, is
any price too high? Those families are best
educated, and exhibit the most moral
feeling, which are most tenderly attached to
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home. Soon enough, our children will be
extending their borders beyond it.
While we ought not to be completely
separated from the world, every family
ought to be a little world within itself. A
bright, strong affection for the images and
friendships of early life so easily draws an
affectionate child away from temptations.
They bind him to his home, so that no
matter how far a child may be removed
from your control, as long as this affection
moves and glows within him, his love for
home will keep him from falling.
6. Proper Estimation of the World and Its
Culture
What do children esteem most highly? They
should be carefully taught how to estimate
this world and its culture. Many prudent,
even pious parents encourage far too much
zeal for worldly advancement. The spirit of
this competitive world is so ingrained in our
anxious parents' minds. The great object of
our pursuit insensibly becomes the
attainment of wealth and honor.
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Certainly parents should be concerned for
the character and condition of their children
in this life. We want to see our children
develop useful and respectable character.
We will urge them to unbending fidelity in
their profession, whatever it may be. We will
inspire our children with a generous 'love of
excellence' and a 'strong desire for good'.
We will aim for excellence in the best sense
of the word.
But it is not an easy matter in everyday life
for parents to draw a line between that love
of distinction and excellence which the
gospel requires—and that which flows from
a selfish and worldly heart. We all sin in this
regard. It is very natural for us to smile
whenever we discover in our children a spirit
that is eagerly set on worldly good, or that is
simply shrewd. In doing so, we leave them
with the impression that, in our estimation,
there is no good to be compared with this
world.
Do we regularly cultivate higher and nobler
principles than the love of earthly things? If
our children are taught that the great
business of men is to heap up wealth, attain
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honors, and enjoy human life, what will be
the probable end of their careers?
If we would train them up for usefulness and
heaven, they must often be reminded to put
a low estimate upon everything beneath the
sun. They must not be shielded from the
world—but instead taught how vain and
empty a thing it is!
The sooner a child can see—that there is a
higher object of pursuit than his own
advancement—that there are more elevated
and enduring joys than the sordid and
transitory pleasures of time and sense—the
sooner he will bear fruit unto eternal life.
The sooner he sees that even though he
may attain popularity, power and wealth
and yet be filled with disappointment and
sorrow—the more quickly he is prepared for
eternal usefulness.
Let children be taught that God sent them
into the world to do their duty—to fill up
their life with usefulness—and thus to honor
His great name. If this generous principle
takes its seat in their hearts, they will enjoy
greater real happiness, than if they sit in the
thrones of princes, or become possessors of
untold millions.
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If parents know their children's hearts—and
especially if they know their own—they will
always tremble for them at the prospect of
'career advancement'. The wisdom that
comes from above will lead them often to
say to their child, as God did to the Prophet,
"Do you seek great things for yourself? Do
not seek them!"—Jeremiah 45:5.
Let children be taught that God sent them
into the world for the sole purpose of
obeying him, and bringing honor to His
great name. If this principle rests in their
hearts, and becomes a controlling influence
on their lives, they will find contentment and
satisfaction in the work God has given them.
—Colossians 3:23.
7. A Generous Spirit
Oh, the lifelong joy and reward of a
generous spirit! This is a chord to which the
conscience always vibrates. Children quickly
grasp this truth: A selfish spirit is a low,
abject and base spirit. There is nothing more
elevated—more grand and noble—than a
benevolent and unselfish spirit!
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Let your children be taught the evil of a
selfish spirit, and the beauty and excellence
of an unselfish spirit, unattached to 'toys of
dust'. Help them to think of the welfare of
others. Form in them the habit of consulting
the wishes and feelings of others. Fix their
minds upon objects that are great and good.
Prepare them for acts of generosity. Show
them that "it is more blessed to give, than
to receive"—that there is more pleasure in
offering a gift than accepting it, and more
lasting joy in the enlarged, generous spirit of
the gospel—than the low, groveling spirit of
the world.
Children can quickly discover that there are
interests greater than their own—and, if
they have an enlarged and princely spirit—
interests which they will be happier for
investigating.
Let not their grand inquiry be—"What is best
for me?" But—"What does my duty require?
What does generosity require? What does
the spirit of kindness and unselfishness
require? What does God require?"
The 19th century commentator Thomas
Scott was well known for his remarkably
happy, successful family. When once asked
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about his method, he replied, "I have always
sought for them in the first place, the
kingdom of God and his righteousness."
Happy parent! Happy children! where the
"kingdom of God and his righteousness"
take the precedence in every plan and
arrangement for human life!
To the religious character of our children,
everything else ought to be made
subservient. Our high privilege is to "bring
up children in the discipline and instruction
of the Lord." Whatever others may say or
do, Christian parents should choose for their
children that "good part which shall not be
taken from them." To them, everything else
should be like dust!
Exhaust the weight and vigor of your effort
here! Our children are heirs to immortality!
They are creatures of responsibility, and are
rapidly advancing to the judgment seat.
Soon they will be upon a bed of death from
which they will ascend to heaven or descend
to hell—to the extent they sought or
rejected, followed or despised their great
Redeemer.
It is painfully true, that ordinarily, children
will not become holy without persevering
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parents. We cannot expect them to become
skillful in the arts, learned in the sciences, or
useful in the world without our careful
attention. And if we hope to see them
become the children of God, they must
understand that, in our estimation, their
'character' absorbs and eclipses every other
intention of our parental love.
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II. MEASURES TO TAKE IN
TEACHING OUR CHILDREN
1. Set an Example
"Be what you wish your child to be," the
saying goes. So much is accomplished by
"the power of example". It influences
children long before instruction can inform—
or authority can bind. "Rules constrain—
example is alluring. Rules compel—example
persuades. Rules are a dead law—example a
living law." Next to the 'law of conscience',
example is the first law with which children
are acquainted—and it often remains their
strongest motive to action after all others
are forgotten.
Children are imitative beings, and they
quickly understand what they see and hear.
The example of an affectionate and watchful
parent is a powerful influence! No child is
too young to be the accurate observer of its
parent's conduct—and to be purified or
contaminated, by that example. However
unwittingly—we are constantly molding our
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children's minds, habit, and character by the
power of our example!
Who among us desires for our children to be
unyielding, overbearing, contemptuous,
unkind, unfriendly, or discourteous? But if
they discover these in us—our example will
govern their conduct!
Perhaps most to the point in this very
affluent society—we do not want our
children to be afraid of work or hardship—so
why do we ourselves pursue fashion and
leisure? The message quickly forms in their
minds—My parents do not consider hard
work, or diligence, or "redeeming the
time"—to be reputable or pleasurable. They
are satisfied with an easy life. With such a
message, is it likely that our children will
aspire to hard work, usefulness and
accomplishment?
We want our children to be honorable and
completely truthful. We want them to be
punctual and thorough. But if they hear us
extolling these virtues and know that
instead we bend the truth and are
disorganized and careless, will not our
conduct trump our teaching?
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We want our children to carefully choose
their friends and conversation. But what if
we are careless in this regard? What are the
pleasures of modern society? Judging from
the reality of the popular market today, they
lie somewhere on a spectrum that stretches
from popular entertainment—to gambling—
to drunkenness—to pornography—to
prostitution. And now, perhaps more than
ever, all of these lie in some form waiting to
entice our children. Must we give them an
easy opening—right into our own lives and
homes?
Example rules! Do we express careless
doubts about the truth of God's word and
the power of the gospel? Do we not
reverence the Sabbath? Do we neglect
regular worship? Are we conformed to this
world? Are we careless about joining
ourselves to a body of believers? Is our
object to be rich, great, and honored by all?
If so, will we have any ground for
disappointment if our example defeats our
instructions?
We are always acting in the presence of our
children—so let us do it in such a righteous
way that they are enticed to imitate us!
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2. Provide Vigorous Instruction
Children are not merely creatures of
imitation, but creatures of intellect. They
examine and judge the impressions they get
—and confirm or reject them according to
how they are taught.
There is no subject off limits for parents in
teaching their children. What gratification
for a child to be rightly taught and
educated! Frequent conversation with your
children—not preaching, but personal
conversation—will bear immediate fruit.
Your child must feel that you want to inform
his understanding and judgment—enlighten
his conscience—and impress his heart.
Parents! You must recognize a mournful fact
—your child is depraved! You will fail utterly
to educate him if you don't recognize this
sad reality. He possesses a supremely
selfish spirit—'self-indulgence' is his king!
Worse—unless he is instructed in moral
truth, he will become a slave of base
appetites and unholy passions! He will
become a giant in wickedness!
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But the Creator has given this child a tender
conscience. Enlightened, it differentiates
between right and wrong and gives him a
sense of obligation—it is how a child
becomes a moral agent and different from
an animal. He can learn that he is a
responsible creature. Does he know his
relationship to God? He must feel
accountable to Him.
What a person ought to know—he ought to
begin to know very early. The great moral
principles, which enlighten his adult
conscience and character, ought to
penetrate and work on his dark mind in
childhood.
What God requires of parents is clearly
spelled out—"And these words which I
command you shall be in your heart, and
you must diligently teach them to your
children—when you walk—when you lie
down—and when you rise up!" And not just
principles. Children must be taught the truth
about God—His being, perfections, and
government—redemption by Jesus Christ—
the influence of the Holy Spirit—the beauty
of true faith—the joys and honors of an
unreserved devotion to Jesus—His precious
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promises for the godly—and the dreadful
terrors awaiting the ungodly.
INSTRUCTION in God's Word should be
systematic, regular and frequent. It should
be casual, also—"When you walk by the
way". Early let them be made familiar with
Scriptures. Let their memories be stored
with its history—its biography—and its
truths. Let them also be stored with simple
and truthful catechisms, prayers, and sacred
hymns. How tragic that these ancient tools
have fallen into disuse! The child's attention
should be constantly be diverted from light
and destructive reading—to that which is
profitable and constructive!
Who disagrees that the great bulk of today's
literature and entertainment exerts a
destructive influence—both on the
intellectual and moral character? But let us
not just curse the darkness. Let children be
committed to teachers who will exert a holy
influence on their youthful minds. Let this
influence charm and win them to the love of
virtue and godliness. In this furnishing of
their minds, let them be so preoccupied with
the best instructions—that they shall have
little room for noxious and polluting guests.
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In conversing with them on the great subject
of their soul's salvation, we should address
them with all affection and tenderness. Let
us urge and plead with them to 'flee from
the wrath to come!' We want them to see
that this is a subject about which we feel the
deepest and most tender concern. This a
subject that brings tears to our eyes—and
persuasion from our tongues. On this matter
all the passion and strength of our affection
flows forth in "thoughts that glow—and
words that burn."
There is an inexcusable backwardness in
many parents when it comes to conversing
on religious subjects. Do we pile religious
conversation onto our children, no matter
how inappropriate the timing or application?
Every opportunity for instruction should be
well timed—and never made tedious.
Timing is everything! In the history of a
child, there are seasons of searching and
tenderness—and there are seasons of
openness. And there are times when we
ourselves think much, feel deeply, and pray
earnestly—for the salvation of our children.
Out of these special times, we may proceed
with special confidence and a delightful
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fullness of soul, to serious and
heartwarming conversations with our
children—with more than usual hopes of
success!
This is a job for parents alone. Here, the
faithful efforts of a faithful father—and even
more, a godly mother—are most important.
Faithful parents certainly owe much to the
other faithful adults in a child's life—Sunday
school teachers, nannies, and godly women
and elders in Christ's church. These all have
obligations that may never be forgotten.
But that mother who leaves her child only to
the instruction of teachers—or that father
who neglects the Christian education of his
family at home (because he can shift the
burden onto a religious school)—has not
carefully considered his responsibility. More
importantly, he underestimates the power a
parent has in shaping the character and
destiny of his children.
3. Gain Their Confidence
In all their conduct toward them, parents
should seek to gain children's confidence.
Every child should be convinced that his
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parent is his best friend. He must know that
there are none on whose devoted
attachment he may so completely rely.
There are none who will do and suffer so
patiently and so long for him. Who look for
no higher gratification or reward, than his
good conduct and highest welfare.
Once we plant these thoughts in a child's
heart, we cannot fail to have a strong hold
upon his conscience and character.
But this alone may not gain their
confidence. We should use every sensible
and lawful means—to secure the affections
of our children—to induce them to choose
our company—to enter into conversation
with us without embarrassment—and trust
us with their own private affairs.
Children who want to be respectful to their
parents are sometimes afraid of becoming
'too familiar'. And some parents who desire
to be respected and honored by their
children strangely resist such familiarity.
Where children are held in slavish fear—the
fault is always the parent's. Even with
children whose tempers seemingly cannot
be controlled by other means, there is little
hope of having any happy, long-term
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influence as long as they are held in the
bondage of fear.
Gaining the confidence of an impetuous
child—while restraining him—is no small
feat. It calls on all the kindness, discretion
and firmness of a godly parent—who will
soon go to his heavenly Father for wisdom!
4. Train Your Children to Be Under Authority
The great question in every act of parental
discipline is—"What will be for the best good
of the child?" Where a family is small, and
especially where there is but a single child,
this may be the only question.
Every good system of education maintains a
kind and wholesome authority. The
government of a family is of a peculiar kind
—and its great operating principle comes
from the Apostle Paul—"Fathers, do not
provoke your children to anger, but bring
them up in the discipline and instruction of
the Lord."
To be what it ought to be—your authority
must be absolute! "Those who maintain the
strictest discipline—give the fewest
strokes!" If your authority is absolute—it
need not be severe. Your will should first be
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righteous—and then it should be law!
Anything to which you cannot freely
consent, should be considered as altogether
out of the question for your child.
Family government must never be
impulsive. Do you exercise your authority
only when the notion strikes you? Are you
foolishly indulgent? Is your authority so
various and changeable that your children
don't know what the rules are? Do you
announce a rule and then, without any
change of circumstance, revoke it? Such
government does not deserve the name. It
is enough to spoil any child.
A mild, affectionate government is the most
authoritative—so your authority ought to be
exceedingly KIND. Children are naturally
displeased, even angry, when governed—
but they ought to find no foothold for their
anger in their parents' behavior. The human
heart revolts at simply being restrained, and
all that much more when authority is rash
and unkind. Weave "kindness" in with every
act of discipline—and your government will
rarely fail to influence.
By the time a child can walk—and even
earlier—he should be taught implicitly to
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obey! If parental authority is not established
early—it will never be established. When I
say early—I mean very early! By the time a
child is 15 years old, authority—bare
authority—will not reach him. He must then
be under a government of influence—or be
self-governed—or not governed at all.
The alternative is simply more difficult and
impractical! This early habit of subjection—
even to impatient and unbending children—
will soon become easy, and parents will find
it effective too.
Here may I add—I have no doubt of the
propriety and importance of "corporal
punishment". God has abundantly approved
of it in His word. But it is only for a child.
When that child passes from childhood to,
say, fifteen years of age, the same rod does
him injury (unless it is used in response to
downright impudence or disobedience). If
the 'young adult' will not be governed by
reason, kindness, influence—he needs a
stronger arm than the discipline of his
family!
Indeed, all our efforts to train up our
children in the way they should go, exhaust
their influence before we are aware of it!
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The days of childhood—these are the
seasons when character is formed! And if
these are neglected, it will be a miracle of
mercy if our children are not forever lost!
The parents purposes in discipline should
never come in collision with each other.
Marital discord is the deadliest foe to the
education of children. On every topic of
education, let there be no jarring between
the united head of a family.
Are you, for example, a proponent of
extravagant leisure and entertainment—and
your spouse opposed? Are you "early to bed,
early to rise"—and your spouse up at all
hours? Is your spouse firm in authority—and
you chide her as severe, and the enemy of
your children's pleasures? Your bone of
contention is the child you love! Who can
wonder if your authority—and your child—
are sacrificed in the squabble?
When should parental government cease?
Wisdom would tell you to look at the
disposition of your child—and the condition
of your family. Are you seeing increasingly
joyful experiences with your children? That
would certainly point in the direction of their
freedom. On the other hand, if your
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experiences are bitter, patience—not
harsher government—is the remedy.
Patience—and hope in God.
Humble, persevering prayer will accomplish
much in educating your children! Is your
pride concentrated in your children? Parents
of great intellect and determination—
especially young parents—are very apt to
place great confidence in their own skill,
management, and firmness. This pride in
our children—and confidence in ourselves—
will meet with severe trials. The Lord of
heaven and earth holds both in His hands.
God means for us to renounce our self-
confidence and feel our dependence on Him.
When we fail—as certainly we will to some
extent—we will lie prostrate on our faces
and carry our children to the God of all
grace and power. The sooner, more
earnestly, and more submissively we do
this, the more reason we have to hope.
Parental tenderness is the most pure, the
most faithful, and the most productive—
when prayer nourishes it. It is at God's
mercy-seat that a parent's love all flows out.
And God reveals His mercy exactly as our
children need it.
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Let your children hear you pray daily. Pray
for them so they can hear you asking God's
special blessing on them. And then
remember them in your private devotions.
An affectionate and faithful parent will not
let the Angel of the Covenant go—until He
blesses his children.
Finally, do not be content to plead only for
God's restraining grace! Go on in confidence
to ask him for his saving mercy. Plead for
them in their sinfulness—lost without
Christ's blood. Plead for them because they
possess indisputable, inalienable
immortality. Plead for them with the
tenderness of Jesus. Plead for them with the
assurance that someday you will say with
Jesus, "Of those whom you have given me—I
have lost none."
III. COURAGE! TAKE COURAGE!
1. Do Not Get Weary in Well Doing
God's time for the conversion of your
children may not be your time. Your efforts
may seem to be in vain—even for years—
but you will likely at last see your children
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rejoicing in the graces and comforts of
holiness. He who goes forth and weeps,
bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come
again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves
with him.
A hardened, ungrateful child may break your
heart ten thousand times. He may turn you
grey with grief, even to the grave—but you
can look back and know that you were not
negligent.
2. Be a Correctable Parent
You may be doing all of this faithfully, and
your children will long praise you for it. But if
you know you have been unfaithful in this,
know also that this unfaithfulness greatly
displeases God. You will feel the bitter
consequences forever. Yes, God may allow
your children to live out very unholy lives
before your eyes. You may even live to see
them plunge down to death and hell!
Do you stand between God and His blessing
for your children? I have simple advice—
Reform at once! Take your child by the hand
—while you can—and walk them in the
paths of holiness and salvation.
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Look at your children. Look at their cradle.
Anticipate their progress through this
ensnaring world. Look at death and
judgment. Will you meet them there—with
joy? Will you, on the morning of
resurrection, greet your sons and daughters
with a smile?
3. Children– Consider Your High Obligations
"Honor your father and mother, that it may
go well with you and that you may live long
in the land."—Ephesians 6:2-3. We have
seen this promise delightfully fulfilled. And,
tragically, we have seen its implied threat
executed with force. In New York, this guilty
metropolis, where popular trends and
fashions are their most powerful—I have
seen so many youth glide down the
dangerous current, and I have seen them
pay the ultimate price as they scorned
authority.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord—for
this is right. But I want so much more from
you. I want—your hearts—your lives—and
your existence for Him who made you.
Remember your Creator in the days of your
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youth. Seek the Lord while He may be
found, call upon Him while he is near.
Hear me once more, if you still despise this
great salvation—What is this great
infatuation that drives you on to ruin and
despair? Are you sporting with that over
which the saints in glory weep? Were you
nurtured in the lap of holiness—only for the
society and employment of the fiends of
hell? Let the 'world of darkness' never
rejoice that you—the object of so many
prayers and tears—have become its own
child!
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