The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-19

The Importance of Bringing Up the Young
in the Fear of God.

The Importance of Bringing Up the Young
in the Fear of God.
In keeping with the services of the afternoon
at st. Paul's, union of Episcopal congregations
occurred at Christ's Church last evening. when
Bishop Knickerbacker addressed parents on the
duty of training children. He had for his text
Prov. xxi, g. 'Train up child in the way he
should go: and when he is old he will not de-
part from it." The Bishop said children were
among the best giits.and most sacred trusts from
God. Parents should do all in their power to
shield them from temptation. With filial lote,
that severest cruelty could not lessen. children
relied on their parents, and there was no infu-
ence like that of parental love and authority
While young the child can be nodded to the par
ents mind. Thus he can be trained to be an honor
to ourselves and God, or reproach and curse to
society. No subject can claim precedence of
that of childrens training, and in the home lies
the great force. for their character is formed and
principles implanted for good or bad. The ques-
ton is, shall children be taught there obedience
and truth humility and purity, love for God
and man, or shall the evils of there nature be
allowed to control theu9 If the latter, how
often it is seen the bitter fruits are gathered.
Religious training banished from schools and
homes leaves religion to be espoused or thrown
aside as children choose when the years of I'M
themselves whether to serve God or the devil
Thus we see the land full of goddess men. When
old they depart from the training of their youth
They did not learn Christ and his teachings and
the consequence is. reform schools are needed to
afford training neglected by parents. All expe-
rience of observation from the beginning of the
world agrees with the text
A child's training should be in the way of
eternal life, through love and obedience to God
and the habits of vrtuous life Children thus
a I'm Ia hrIn 6iC-
grace on home, parents and society," or fill
reform schools and prisons. The duty to chill
dren lies at home, but its efforts can be sec
onded by the Sunday and day school. and the
faithful pastor. However, no one can take the
place of parents. Children have a right to ex-
pect that parents will do the best they possibly
can. Hence nothing should interfere in
the fulfllment of this duty. Business
and mothers to forego it. It
requires constant, persevering attention, watch
funess and labor While the father is absorbed
in business. the child, approaching the tired
mother with its wants and questions, may be
sent into the street; that little act may be
ton are on every corner ready to welcome every
conner. No fees are charged for education there
The Bishop said children must be taught in
the ways of the church, and trained to know and
practice the duties of grace. But there are
other forces. parental kindness and affection
compliance as far consistent with children's
wishes and inclinations. Again. parents should
contribute as far as they can to childish
pleasures and amusements Home must be
more winning than the street. by not per-
hitting the influence of society and
fashion to destroy the attractiveness of home
life. He wished that homes knew no darkered
parlors, where damasks and velvets were sacred
to visitors use. The living room should be the
place for ornaments. books. pictures, flowers;
and from it should be banlshed every piece of
furniture TOO good for use. One should be as
earnest to make homo attractive as he is to
earn dollar or sell a yard of tape The more
home pleasures. the less the loungings street
corners In his closing sentences, he said par
ents themselves should set the examples for
tatoTs. 1t is no use to train them for heaven
unless the parents have their faces turned that
way. He also spoke of parents staying away
from church. Their children, in time, will do so
likewise.