Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1913-02-20

tue ages OF IA and IL, -FOUR or them are
not here. Four Of them are out In the
world, out in the wilderness of sin. At
least, that is the proportion, and they
are either your children or the chill
dren of other parents.
Who are our children?
In Jesse's case 1t included the whole
family, adults as well as girls and
boys. When God called Jesse to sac
rifice unto the Lord, Jesse took it for
granted that the entire family was in
cluded, and acted accordingly, and
even made mistake by leaving one
at home, the one he thought would not
be missed or needed. y
Z God includes all and would we not
grieye If he left any out? II God
thought some too large OF too small,
especially if they were our children?
God would not say that Jesse and Ruth
and Willie should go to Sabbath
school, but George and James and
Mary are too old. Our hair may be-
conre silvered, yet we are but children,
as students of Gods word; children In
Christian life and service Old and
young we are all children of God and
need to be taught of God. Are here
all thy children, both old and young.
great and small? The ideal way and
the scriptural way Is the whole family
In the service Of public worship, and
the whole family In the Sabbath
school. And then there are our neigh
boris children. They are also our chill
dren In this particular We have a
responsibility concerning them. II we
are our brothers keeper, then we are
also the keeper of our brothers chill
dren. There are a lot of spiritual
waits all about us, children without
religious home training, example or
influence. The parable of the good
Samaritan teaches US that our neigh
Dor is any one in need that we can
help These children of the streets
and of the homes of irreligious or neg
ligent parents are our children accord
ing to the teachings of Christ They
are our neighbors.. They are in need.
and we have 1t in our power to help
them. They are worse than sheep
without shepherd. They are the lit
tie, innocent, helpless lambs without
shepherd. Don't let us think we have
no responsibility II we have no chill
dren. Don't let us think we have done
our full duty If our own children are
in the church and Sabbath school Are
here all thy children, in the large
sense?-our own children. large and
small, and our neighbours children,
all that we are responsible for, all
that we can influence and instruct In
spiritual things?
No Better Place for Children.
II they are not here, why not? Is
it because of Indifference or lack of
effort? Is it, because we think like
Topsy, they will just grow up without
spiritual birth, training or instruction?
Isn't the Sabbath school Interestingly?
The addition of every scholar old or
young. will make it more interesting.
Isn't it profitable? "Come, We. children.
hearken unto me; | will teach YOU the
fear of the Lord" This is what we
sing and teach. Isn't that profitable?
Can better place be found for the
children? What good reason is there
for our children not being here? David
was keeping the sheep, and many to-
day are keeping children, or staying
by the stuff" in the backyard base
ment, garden, farm or field. 1t is
thought they are not needed and not
especially wanted But God is provid-
Ing himself from among them. He is
providing future rulers, pastors, off,
GERS and teachers. What kind will
they be? That depends largely upon
us. Are here all thy children? Here
where they should be to receive the
proper training for positions of honor
and responsibility?
Gods House Makes Call.
II they are not here where are they?
What is the alternative? What is the
substitute? Are they at home? A
good place to be, ordinarily. But Gods
house is even a better place on his
holy day. Are they visiting relatives
and friends? A very good thing to do
on proper occasions. But it is even
better to visit with God, commune
with him when he has asked it. Are
they out walking for exercise and rec
reation? Very good also on proper
occasions. But better to exercise on
Gods holy day In walking to Gods
house. David afterward said: 81 was
glad when they said unto me, let us
go into the house of the Lord" These
are the three best substitutes: home.
visiting, walking. But it does not |
stop there. Next it is the public park.
pleasure resorts, excursions, baseball |
anything, everything. And it is usual. |
ly to the sorrow of both children and
parents sooner or later.
And here all thy children? Let us
make greater effort to have all of
them in the Sabbath school, big and
little, our own and our neighbours. For
tunate are those parents who can say.
Behold, and the children whom the
Lord hath given me."-United Presby- |
II