The record-union., 1896-06-01

and a loyal race, who are not ashamed
Of their mothers God or their mother's 8
church
But some religious people are not just
like these. They have been caught with
the false notions of the day about train
ing children. The old ways were too
straight and severe, say they. There
was too much sternness in religious
matters, say they. We can see no dan
ger from strictness-all danger lies ON
the other side. Overindulgence and hu-
moring of children was the sin of Eli,
and who would say that our times are
free from it? Why, there is even sick
ly sentiment in our atmosphere that
makes some think it works a hardship
to our boys to have them sit in Gods $
house and listen to the truths of eter-
nifty
A lack of religious training is the
trouble of our times. Boys are left to
decide for themselves whether or not
they will go to church or Sunday
school. Going depends only on their
youthful whimS, which are more
changeable than the winds. Parents
think nothing of the absence OF their
children from the church services. we
see the parents in their place with
little girl or two by their side, but the
boys-well, they may be in the same
kind of ways as Ellis boys for all these
parents knew
And yet, these parents know this; that
the very restraints which they do not
use were the power behind the throne
to make them the pillars in the church
and society which they are to-day. They
know that the influences of the sanctu-
airy entering their lives have made them
what they are.
In the sturdy oak of to-day are reg
istered the summers and winters of a
hundred years ago. 1t cannot change
itself after it has spread its giant arms
and become the mightiest tree in the
forest"
thoughtful, truthful men and women
who have grown old in the service of
God and man often stop just long
enough to send a prayer of gratitude
Godward for the songs and sermons of
their childhood, the aged minister, the
sacred house of God, the hallOwed i'm
pressions of early life.
Then let everyone see that the dear
boys of our day get hold of these treas
ures of life. See that they imbibe these
principles that make for righteousness.
See to it that they are not given the
range of the street at night; see to it
that they are not abandoned to the in
HuenceS that are against religion; that
worldly influences are not allowed to
control their opinions and form their
convictions. Then there will cease to be
this steady flow of young men from
Christian homes into the ranks of the
worldly and enemies of our Lord
Young men and boys from Christian
homes must be shielded and trained in
right ways. How much more the child
rem from homes where there are no
religious restraints, an absence Of all
religious atmosphere, and too often
where the dear boys see and know moth
ing better than self-indulgence, a free
license to all that is vile and evil
From Els sons, then, we learn that
from a high example in the absence of
the restraint, they descended TO the
lowest plane of vileness. And so may
1t be in our day. What, then, may we
expect when there is the entire absence
of any influence that leads to purity
and Godliness?
Considering the times, the wonder Is
that any of our young men at least are
saved from the sweeping tide of evil
and wfckedness. Parents train up the
children in the way they should go.
and when they are old they will not
depart from it."