The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-14
Il is true that our children do "bother"

It is true that our children do "bother
US, but it is not kind to tell them OF 1t ana
besides, have learned that either child is
always wounded when told that he botners
his mother, or that he gets SO used to being
told it that he cares nothing about 1t, ana
YOU have then lost an influence that, had 1t
been kept in reserve, might have done you
great service. If child fancies We called
him, the very coming of the child into our
presence should make us give some cares,
say some kindly word, if it be only gentle
permission to go on with play or with rest,
as Eli said, Lie down again, my child"
suppose it never entered Ems mind, Till
Samuel put his boyish head into the tent tOr
the third time, that it might be God was call
ing the child. Naturally ne would hope that
If there was to be any "open vision In those
days" it would be gwen TO himself, the Old
high priest who hsu served God so long. 80
mis- patience was only what ne had trained
himself to exercise; and, having patience
with the child, the wondrous possibilities
bound up in that child life dawned upon bis
mind, as it always will dawn In any patient,
thoughtful soul who has the care of chill {.
Let us, then, take the childrens interrGL-
tons pleasantly, and see If we cannot LEAD
them nearer to GOd,-lead them to take lit
tie Samuels attitude, and say, SPEAK,
Lord.
Mothers and fathers, remember your child
may have a higher call than any you may
hear; take care you do not mislead that
young soul. A daughter feels called TO deep
er and more earnest study than her mother,
a good, faithful house-keeper, can understand
or approve of. The girl tells you of her am
billions, of the wonderful thoughts that come
to her. If you are made of different stuff,
if you do not understand these ambitions, you
can either sheer at the girl, blame her for
her foolish notions" or you can tell her to
wait patiently and make sure whether it Is a
call from above,-a call to be his servant,-
and then listen.
You, my dear friend, have talented and
brilliant son, whom you have determined shall
succeed you in your business. But the young
man has no taste for the business, and longs
to follow a profession, or he has heard call
to give himself to the preaching of Gods
Word. Take care how you silence this call
that he hears. Remember that in most cases
a man, to do the greatest good in the world,
must love his work and feel he has chosen
his work. Remember too, that call to study
mechanics, or to be a farmer, may be as
much call from God as is a call to the min
istry.
And there is another lesson for us parents
in my boys chapter. There comes time in
the life of almost all young people when they
suddenly realize that the dear father or moth
er is by no means faultless. 1t is very Sc
rious time for the child, and he will general
ly shun the parents, fearing they may see
what he has discovered. Now there is really
no help for this. We shall all make mis-
takes. But let us see to it that our children
shall never find any really diShOnOrable action
in us; then, when the awakening comes, we
can draw the child closer, and tell him to
hide it not" from US.