Western appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1885-18??, 1885-06-20
CHILDREN's DAY.

Last sunday was observed by all the
churches of the Methodist denomination
as Children's Day, and exercises were
held by them of very excellent char
acter, at st. James A. NJ E. church,
which was beautifully decorated; The
Pastor, Elder R. Knight delivered an
eloquent sermon, text;
Duty OF PARENTS TO CHILDREN.
4 Discourse delivered by R. Knight,
Pastor of the st. James A. NJ. E. church,
st. Paul, Mimi, June Il, 1885.
Gone God and Father of all, who is
above all, and through all and in you
all.n
The definition of this word as given
by several eminent photographers is,
that which one person owes to another,
Or that person is bound by any natural
moral or legal obligation to pay, do or
perform, &c. The Bible tells us that the
Christian has but one God, true and
living, who by this appellation is highly
distinguished from the Gods of the
heather, who were many. This one
God is father of us all, being the author
of our spirits and life, hence he is above
all and through all and in you all. He
has given earthly parents as teachers
and guides to their children, and from
whom He should ever receive praise and
thanksgiving. 1t then becomes neces-
sary to cultivate an early religious or
Christian life, and thus prepare your
children against offering offences to God
or man.
THE ANCIENT CHRISTIANS
seems to have observed and enforced
whatever of discipline was necessary
to the cleansing, purifying and establish
ment of good and pure home and public
life. See to it then, parents, that the
home of our own times be protected by
the same earnest spirit which prompted
them to the observance of the most val
liable of all blessings to man.
Once mother was left to the care of
several children; what to do, was, with
her, the great perplexing question, but
while in the spirit of meditation and
prayer, the angel of peace and consola-
tionappeared and bid her to be contented
and trust God in the abundance of faith;
the result of her obedience was the 10y
ofa pleasant and happy fEanily of child
rem to bless her declining days of a long
and interesting life.
When Mrs. Penn commenced to train
her son William, disappointment sur
rounded but to startle her into thought
and to spring suspicious Of this worlds
vanity; born for better as all are, she
soon discovered that this world was not
the place of her rest, a land of shadows
where hardly anything is but trouble,
and nothing certain but death, instantly
she gave her heart to God; she sought
an equal happiness for he son, who
proved great blessing both to himself
and those around him in the world.
Many examples of the result of early
piety rise before us; Timothy knew the
scriptures from his youth; Joseph was
but young boy when he interpreted
the will of God to the heather king;
Samuel worked before the Lord from
childhood to old age; Josiah was but
eight years old when he assembled the
throne of Israel, Daniel knew the Lord
from his youth; Francis Asbury, second
bishop of the M. 3. church and the first
ordained in the United States, was
trained by pious parents, at an early age
was placed in good schools, and when
between six and seven commenced read
ing the Bible regularly, with the histor-
ical part OF which he says he was greatly
delighted, and at IA years of age was
converted and at IS commenced preach
ing the everlasting gospel
Let the cardinal virtues, Justice, pru-
dence, temperance and fortitude, which
even the pagans supposed and taught,
be your guide. Bring your children to
the sunday school and house of mercy,
here you will find an able body of good
teachers and officers who are ever ready
and willing to assist you in shaping their
future destinies. May the interest of
Children's day in the church of our
choice, move on and on through the
world, in squirting and rousing all to
thrust in the sickle and "gather in the
sheaves" until the knowledge of the
Lord shall be known among the nations
as the waters cover the sea, and, as the
browning light of the king Of day, may
this good work go on, till men be con-
strained to say, that nation of good
children is born unto God in a day.
The mission of christian and nom
christian parents will be more forcibly
discerned, and presenting these at the
Redeemer's feet the sight to him will be
more imposing than the seven wonders
of the world, richer to him than all the
kingdoms of earth. We hope to see the
day when this church and school will
have SO advanced in sacred literature
and in numbers, that thousand voices
may be herd pouring forth songs OF
praise to Him, whom to know Alright is
life forever more. And, when the DAYS
of the years of our pilgrimage are at an
| end, we shall 90 up from the land al