The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-09-27
Foa the Central PpEsBrrrprAS.
PREACHING TO THE CHILDREN.

Is it the minister's duty, in giving to each
part of his charge their portion of meat in
due season, to preach frequently, expressly
for the childreng
This question seems never to have been
eonelusively answered. In several of the
Protestant Churches it is made the duty of
the pastor "to eatechise the children. -
Which usually means, See that they COM
NIT to memory the Catechism of the Church
But family, and seldom have any of these
churches said, Preae1 to the Children. Go
to the children, also, as the ambassador Of
Christ; and among them as well as among
the older members of the flock, SNAKE full
proof of thy ministry"
1t is almost time that the churches should
give an unhesitating answer to this question,
1t would be rash presumption, more like the
skeptic's pride than the Christian 8 modesty,
to answer confidently where so many great
and good men have hesitsted, or been silent.
Yet surely at is not wrong earnestly and pa
tientlv TO seek an apsweS; not tto-esstisfs ~eie
curiosity, but to settle a great question of
practical duty. There are some simple, and
well known truths that suggest an answer,
The Census Of 1860 shows that in the
United States the children between the ages
of and Is years, are 313 per cent of the
whole number of people who are over 5
years of age; and that of the whole number
over years of age, about 80 per cent are
between s and Is years of age. Suppose a
pastoral charge to contain 1000 persons
over six years of age; then on an average
it viii contain 800 children; almost one
third passing through the years of childhood
and early youth. speak for vast numbers
when I present this question to the ministers,
and churches of the land. While bringing
so often to the sanctuary "strong meat for
men," viii you not sometimes put cup of
milk on the Lords table for the children !?
'The fodder is often held so high" that only
the tallest sheep can reach it; while the
lambs, as needy, get not blade, and some
preachers we have seen, who were so unused
to coming down, that with stiff, and clumsy
effort they descended; and having left the
Gospel in the clouds, because barely able to
get down without impedimeata, they fed the
children, instead, with worldly twadding,
and good behavior" morality. Men of
fair ability, and deep piety have thus failed,
from utter want of practice.
The question comes back upon us lis it
a duty incumbent on ministers to preach to
the children? 1t is especially the preach
ing Of the word" that is made efectual unto
the salvation of sinners. $50 ye into all
the world, and preach the Gospel unto every
creature. Is a child OF half score of
years, a creature" within the purview of
this weighty precept?
I6aur- Ssy3r's earthly ministry, the
word was most efectual among those, who
had little literary culture; and, who in mental
capacity and habit were most like children.
''Not many wise, not many mighty, not
many noble are called; but God hath chosen
the foolish things of the world to cOnfOund
the wise; and God hath chosen the weak
things Of the world to confound the things
which are mighty" And the reason for
this greater success Of the gospel among the
simple-minded, common people is manifest.
The truths essential to salvation could be
understood by them, as well as by the wise
and learned; while they had less of that self
sufficient pride, which ever says: 81 am
whole, and have no need of a physician. -
Many very young children have mental ca
paeity enough to understand the easy alpha
bet of gospel truth, and besides they have
more trustful faith, and less self sufficient
pride. If ye labor to win souls, is not this
the most hopeful part of the harvest field?
Here is sufficient mental capacity, and hum,
bic, trustful temper.
But Doubtful still asks questions; let
US ponder them-Is the conscience of a child
sufficiently developed to make the child ca
pable of that thorough conviction of sin /;
which is needful step in true conversion ?
The faculty of conscience is born with the