CHRISTIAN HOME FEATURES:
my best
for my
by Dr. V. Raymond Edman, President, Wheaton College F a it h in the Saviour is the greatest contribution any parent can make to his children. Greater than fame and better than money, even more important than education, is giving to each child the gift of faith. That gift will be enlarged and strengthened as he goes onward; and all of life will be sweeter, stronger, and better for it. How can I do my very best for my children? The best method is to teach them by precept and practice. By seeing the Lord Jesus in you they will come to love Him, to trust Him, and to obey Him. Your conduct will be the most obvious factor to them. Actions always speak louder than words. In his love and admiration for his parents, the little child learns early whether he is loved or not. As he grows older his big eyes observe what is done; and he correlates his observa tions with the instruction given to him. Intuitively the child understands practical Christianity in action. His response will first be imitation of what he sees and hears; but imitation can soon become a living reality. He will believe what we believe. He will walk and talk as we do. It will be easy for him to believe in the Saviour for having seen Him in father and mother. Christian character will be as apparent to our children, younger and older, as to others; perhaps more so. Before they learn to read the ABC’s they read character. Intui tively they understand adults much better than we give them credit. Integrity, honesty, honor, unselfishness, courage in the face of great difficulties—such character traits are deeply impressed upon young plastic minds. The children will see Christ in our character, and will share the confidence that others have in us. They will be proud of mother and dad, and of the Saviour. Our conversation can show forth the Lord Jesus. Little folk have big ears as well as big eyes. They comprehend the intent as well as the content of our talk. They will make mental note of our appreciation and helpfulness for others; and contrariwise of unkind and unfair criti cism. Our kindness and consideration for others in what we say and what we do can teach them of Him who went about doing good to all. Consistency is a jewel; and nowhere does it sparkle more brightly than in the Christian home. At family altar we can teach children about Christ as we read the Bible; but even more impressive to them will be their seeing Christ in us. They will note what we say and do in Sunday School and church; and will compare that with our attitude and actions in the home. Consistency in our words and our works will be evidenced by the standards that we maintain in the Lord’s house and on His day,
and in the carefulness with which we do His work as laity or clergy. Your faith in the Saviour will be conveyed to the children by your faithfulness to them and to the Lord, by your fatherly care and concern. To me it has always been challenging and encouraging to remember that in days dark and foreboding, Noah’s sons followed their godly father even into the ark. That action must have seemed somewhat foolish to them, as it certainly was to the worldlings round about; but they had learned to trust God because they trusted their father. The future of your children depends so largely upon their faith in Christ. Christian conduct, character, con versation, and consistency will pay big dividends in the life of every child. A family altar with its open Bible and bended knees for the whole family, the happy home, the attendance of all the family at Sunday School and church—all these make for a wholesome outlook on life by the children, and the establishment of standards that will go with them throughout life. Correction that is constructive, coopera tion that is cheerful, harmony that is helpful, such are the memories the children will carry with them when they leave our homes and go into their place of service and usefulness. From her heart out of more than fifty years of experi ence of leading little orphan boys and girls to the Saviour, the late Amy Carmichael of South India wrote this earnest prayer: Father, hear us, we are praying, Hear the words our hearts are saying,
We are praying for our children. Keep them from the powers of evil, From the secret, hidden peril,
From the whirlpool that would suck them, From the treacherous quicksand, pluck them. From the worldling’s hollow gladness, From the sting of faithless sadness, Holy Father, save our children. Through life’s troubled waters steer them, Through life’s bitter battle cheer them, Father, Father, be Thou near them. Read the language of our longing. Read the wordless pleadings thronging, Holy Father, for our children.
And wherever they may bide, Lead them Home at eventide.
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THE KIN G 'S BUSINESS
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