The evening times., 1899-02-04
THE EVENING TIMES WASHINGTON SATURDAY FEBRUARY L. 1899

evident in their looks manner except
in those cases where the youngest child is
a mere infant and needs ceaseess atten-
tion. On the contrary, they generally ap-
pear quite contented with their occupa-
ton. and reply with unfailng patience to
the ceaseless flow of shrill-voiced ques
tions AID chatter of the little group, and
they no doubt feel heartily sorry for bach
elor friends such others as have no
children TO take out with them when they
go Tor Sunday airing, and fancy them
selves an object of envy by all such for
lorn individuals.
AS to the feelings of the children. there
is no mistaking their pleasure in having
the unusual companionship of their father,
whom they evidently regard as play
mate, if one can judge by the way they
hang around him, climb on his lap and
investigate his pockets for the biscuits he
Is sure to have there for the younger
! members of the party. Even though
man might feel il something of a sacrifice
to give up his Sunday ease and leisure TO
! take care of ~the children, he can but be
/ repaid in seeing the happiness he gives to
his little ones, and he knows that they
are far better under his supervision than
with even the best of servants. He may
: be sure, also. that in the years TO come,
when these little folks will nave grown
4 into men and women, perhaps with chill
dren of their own, these Sunday after
Moons with papa" will be 3among the
! sweetest memories of their youth, and
perhaps exercise q lasting influence on
their lives.
i Despite the fact that we have all seen
| children and gone through the same eXpe-
! riences ourselves, il is> difficult for us TO
| recall our childhood so distinctly as to re-
aliZe the sort Of day Sunday is to children
unless their parents try to make il a happy
! time for them. They are not, like their
Il ~
/ elements of the week that they can enjoy
! q whole day of rest; nor are they, as a
rule, impressed with religious things
! that they can find pleasure in long dsvo-
! tional exercises. most of which are above
their comprehension. Sunday is to many
of them a day of penance. when they must
/ walk quietly. speak softly. and refrain
from their usual plays and amusems nts, -
so that we need not wonder If they come to
regard il with dislike instead of love.
Sometimes the Sunday school is made so
pleasant for them they really enjoy going
TO it, and are able to comprehend what
they hear and learn there; but il is mis-
take to insist upon children who are too
young to take an intelligent part in the
service, attending church afterward. Many
older folks rebel against long sermons ana
services and they should not forget that
the children who come in from Sunday
school have just had an hour of that sort
of thing, and that il is impossible they
should be quiet and attentive during two
and a half or three hours OF religious ex
ercises.
We have some recollection of having
heard of a Christian land where it is re-
garded as sinful TO take a walk in the
fields or by the seasbore on Sunday. and
J where young American who was whist
ling a Moody and Sankey hymn as he
strolled along in the sunshine. was asked
severely: Young mon. diTua ven ken it
/ is the Sawbsth?" We have nothing to say
against the Sunday ordinances Of that
land, since their observance has resulted in
producing some OF the best men and wo-
men of our acquaintance, as well as
some of the noblest characters the world
. has known; but We are glad that our
childhood was not spent there. but in
country where the lines are not so strict
~ drawn between secular and religious
things. and where Sunday may ne made
pleasant to children without one feeling
that in so doing he is endangering their
eternal salvation. The parent who would
instruct his little ones in the truths of the
Gospel need not fear that he is doing
wrong when he follows the example Of his
Divine Master in selecting as his school
room the top of some lofty hill from
whence one can see the beauties of ma
ture spread cut below, and In using as il
flowers and waving fields Of grain around
them. Nor Will II be anss If he sit with
them by the seaside or in a. boat after
the same example while be tells them Of
that beautiful life and of his great love
for the little ones; for this outdoor teach
ing is one OF the most remarkable fea-
lures of our Saviours early sojourn
But even when il is not possible that
parents can take their children out OF doors
, on Sunday afternoon, there are many ways
of making ii pass pleasantly for them in
the house, and reading is always the fore
D most of these means especially now when
so much attention is turned 10 producing
= instructive books that are not wearisome
for children. The 'goddy goody style
that once characterized hooks intended for
! the young has passed away and IT, in
some instances, the pendulum has swung
TOO far to the opposite side, one can always
exercise judgment in the matter and suit
his book TO his audience. When they
weary of the inactivity of listening tc
reading it is not difficult TO find means oI
!. amusing them i'll ways that will interest
them and give them some exercise. with
2 out degenerating into the noisy romp ths
would not be out of place on other even.
. ! ings 1t must be confessed that il requires
some self-sacrifce on the part of parents tc
give up so large part OF Sunday TO iAt
[ children, but many sacrifices far more try.
Y ing than this demanded from all Il
= whom the treasure of a childs life is en-.
- trusted: and no one who truly realizes hi:
responsibility in this respect will feel +
/ hard 10 give up his time and pleasure Il
make them happy and 10 insure the recol
= lections of their childhood being 10 then
r always a bright and blessed memory.