Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-10-04
Sunday and the Children.

He who commanded his apostles to feed his
lambs can hardly be pleased to have the memo
rial day of his resurrection observed in such
a way that it becomes the dread Of the little
folks He who came to call US to liberty,
does not mean that his day shall be one Of
bondage and burd rs. The Pharisees made
the day one Of rest SO rigid that it was no
rest at all. In forbidding all kinds Of work
they forbade all freedom. Their ritual pro-
scribed walking on the grass, lest some grain
should be bruised under foot, which, they said,
would be kind Of threshing. Ii was not
permitted by them to catch flea on the Sab
bath, for this would be kind of hunting
To hedge around the day-which above all
minute restrictions, is to initiate the Pharisa-
ism against which the Savior so vigorously
inveighed while he lived.
Particularly, We ought to remember that
the rest so precious TO US is not and cannot
be fully appreciated by our children. The
worry and wear and work from which it re-
lieves US, they know little or nothing Of And
even its spiritual rest and refreshment are
but imperfectly apprehended by those who
have as yet but little experience of spiritual
tolls and conflicts and sorrows What then ?
Shall we convert the holy day into a mere
holiday, day of excursions, Of fun and frolic,
second Saturday? God forbid The lit
tie ones have spiritual wants as well as their
elders and they will most enjoy the Sabbath
who are taught most to profit by it. Let us
illustrate
A gentleman of our acquaintance, hard
worker through all the week, has family oi
dozen children. He is superintendent oI
the Sabbath School He does not send bis
children to Sabbath school; he takes them
Their first religious service is one in which
they join with their father. Sabbath schoo
over, the older children remain with him Al
morning service. After dinner comes th'
happest hour Of the week. The father gath
ers the children about him. Sometimes som'
of their more intimate companions join thu
circle. For an hour or two he devotes him
self to them. Sometimes he reads some
times he talks. But the afternoon is theirs
and no ordinary call is suffered to iuterrup
this children's meeting. AS the day draw
to its close, they spend the twilight hour il
the open air where the sweet breath of heav
+, en- and the birds songs Of praise are in har
mony with the Inspirations of the day. Onl
one thing more is necessary; it is that afte
tea the entire household should gather abou
the piano or the parlor organ for service 0
song
Ii is possible it is not difficult, to max
the Sabbath "day of rest and gladness' 70
the little folks; though it requires SOM
thought and some loving service. 1t is dan
o gerous to suffer them to grow up to dread II
sunrise aud to rejoice in its sundown III
. who attends religious services 80 rigorousl.
! that he has no time to study the religion
I wants Of his own children, mistakes the day
and breaks the Sabbath by proxy. In no way
can we more effectually forbid our childre
access to Christ than by making the day tha
celebrates his triumph over death day whic
represses their life, day tedious aud odiou
TO them. In no way can we invite theI
I. more etfectually to the Lord than by maxim
!, the Lords day joyous and spiritually a
:. tractive one to them Christian Weekly.