The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-02-13
CHILDHOOD CONVERSION.
The Theme OF the Sermon OF Rev. 3. C.
Conner at the Methodist Church
Sunday Feb'y2, 1895.


was crowded Sunday morning Febru.
ary 2, when Rev. b. c. Conner arose
to announce his text which he said
would be found at the 10Th verse OF
18th chapter of Luke. "Jesus called
them unto him, and said, suffer little
children to come unto me, forbid
them not for of such is the kingdom
OF God" He commenced his sermon
by saying that good farmer was
once asked how it was that his sheep
were In such excellent condition, and
he replied by saying that he took care
OF the lambs. The church Of to-day
is giving more attention to the child
rem than at any previous time in its
history.
Many being led by the Spirit are
seeking the conversion of the children,
but among the rank and file of the
people there is an alarming amount
of skeptclsm In regard to childhood
conversion. A large number of peo-
pie don't believe in it. They want
the church TO influence the children
to be good, but are not willing that
they should be urged to seek conver-
sion. They are seeking to gather
grapes from thorns, and figs from
thistles. The child has sinful ma.
ture and his bent is to do evil. This
must be removed by the blood of
Christ. Is it possible for them to
have change of heart? Can chill.
dren between the ages of six and fif
teen years enjoy and experience a
conversion3 We say most emphati-
cally, yes. The scriptures say "those
that seek ME ear y shall find me-"
Train up child in the way he
should go, and when he is old he will
not depart from it." Dedicate your
child to God, and train it up as his
child.
Early in life every child comes to a
point when he must choose for him
self This is the time that you should
sit down and explain to him his res
possibility, and if he is properly in
structed he will not depart from it..
The Bible says, "Both young men
and maidens, old men and children
let them praise the name of the Lord.
The psalmist did not mean lip
service only, but It should be from the
heart. Moses said and that their
children. which have not known any.
thing, may hear, and learn to fear the
Lord your God, as long as you live in
the land whittier you go over Jordan
to possess it, "and we know that
Jesus says "suffer the little children
to come unto me-" What is needed
to have a genuine conversion That
God is willing to forgive us if we are
sorry for our sins. The breaking of
Gods law is wrong. If we are sorry
he will forgive us. They understand
sooner than we think what sin is. A
child never distrusts until it is deceiv.
ed. They believe anything that is
told them. Mothers make a great
mistake in telling their children false
hoods. Many learn from their own
mothers to lie. They are told if they
do, or don't do certain thing they
will be punished. Yet it is done, or
left undone, and no attention is paid
to the matter. Faith is natural with
child that has never been deceived.
The evangelist Rev. B. Fay Mills says
that in New York state child eight
years of age may be executed for the
crime of murder. If the law allows
him to be executed at that age, it is a
significant fact in this matter.
John Fletcher was one Of the most
profound students that ever lived,
His wife was christian intelligent
woman. She was great reader, and
deep thinker and what she says is
worth hearing. She says that when
she was between seven and eight years
of age she thought about this matter.
After prayer she experienced a
change of heart. took hold by faith
and was saved, Some of the best
people we know gave their hearts to
1Ou III lIlSIl CllllullOOu. III OuI IOll'
ference forty-three of the preachers
were converted at the age of fifteen
years and some at the age of nine
years and younger.
Admitting that conversion at this
age is possible, is it wise to seek it
Should we wait until the child gets to
be fifteen years of age or more ? Is it
wise to do so Had we not better
wait and let the child grow up in sin
To this there is only one answer. II
is our duty to have them seek Chris
in childhood first because we are
much more successful in our efforts
1t is easier to lead them to Christ
Easier for them to open their hearts
AS they grow older their power of re
sistance grows stronger. Second, be
cause they are less liable to fall i
converted in childhood.
DIR. Williams of the Baptist churcl
says, that between the ages of fv'
and fifteen are the most important ii