Norwich bulletin., 1914-06-13
SUNDAY MORNING TALK
THE DEBT OF AGE TO YOUTH.

We generally emphasize that which children owe their parents, but the fact Is. at least. equally great in the other direction. Age has solemn obligations to youth that must never be forgotten. The second Sunday in June, widely observed as Children's Sunday, is one indication that church folk are re- spcnsive to the just demands of the situation. The hosts of children troop ing to the churches, where the whole ply coming into their own. The re- ng1on of the Christ is religion of childhood. RaphaePs Sistine Madonna is not alone poets fancy; 1t is an expression of fact The background of the immortal canvas. at first sight, seems only a cloud Of luminous vapor,, but closer examination shows it to bel a throng of infant faces. The parable is true one. Little children are in deed the ground for our hope and the field for a great part of our Christian effort.
 Age owes youth sympathy and ap- preciation. The adult must try to understand the child. Older people must learn to share youthful points of view and to bear patiently with youth full faults and foIlies. Some things that pain us in the rising generation must be overlooked. It is related of Nelson, Englands great naval hero,
  signal to stop the battle. believing that victory was near, he held the field glass to his blind eye. It is sometimes as well doubtless to have a blind eye for things that may not win our ap- proval. It is well to hope patiently, and to believe that the boy and girl will outgrow these things, as we our selves outgrew them
 Age owes to youth comradeship. The boy needs friendship and counsel and it is the privilege Of the man to giIe them The pilgrim who has gone over the road should be glad to point out its pitfalls to later travellers. Young people would be both happier and bet ter for association with those of ma ture years; and the advantage Is re- ciprocal. The father who is not mere ly a banker or a policeman to his boy but a genuine friend and comrade to him has fulfilled a supreme duty and enjoyed a precious privilege. M oth- CTS and daughters who succeed in be- ing ch,nas have gained one of the choice blessings of life. Outside ones own family circle, moreover, there are always unattached and neglected youngsters whom one may befrtend. with benefits past calculation. Thsre is need so much as the steady influence of some good man or woman who has his welfare at heart.
 Age owes q a-pequest or fatth ana heps to youth. It should tell of it's beliefs, not of its doubts. of it's een= victiens, Hst of it's disiiiusiens. Like caieb and Joshua 1t should give a good report Of the land it has sPied o;It, The expeFienes of life in normal adults ieads to q certain fnsfiss. Rhitesebhis mood that young people need. Mere prone te extremes of desPeHdeHey d pessinaism than we Feaiiss. they need fhs counsel sf j4dieisss and mature minds, ta the effect thaA disapRsiHf- meats, need net crush, Hes successes uaduir eiate theH. Assve ali youth needs ts be helped ts a faith in God: From he# many human aistfesses that great confidence saves usi It is the suPFesas gift that maturity Haasf pass eR ts ths bsvs and girls whs hasten ts take their turR sz fife's brief stage, aRd ts kessme tasmssfyes teachers and iRsRirers of saseeeeaias generations,
 --s EHB PAR66G. :.