as a father and mother what is good for the child. Then you should be sure to go yourself. The Scripture says that children ought to honor their father and mother. As one boy said to me, “Well, I know parents who aren’t worth obeying.” Unfortunately, he was right. The fa ther is the particular head of the house. He should set the pattern. When the AT THE CROSSROADS He stood at the crossroads ali alone, the surprise in his face, He had no thought for the world un known, he was set for a manly race. But the road stretched east and the road stretched west And the boy didn't know which road was best. So he took the wrong road, went down, down, down, He lost the race and the victor's crown. He was caught at last in the angry snare Because no one stood at the cross roads there, To show him the better road. Another day at this selfsame place, the boy with high hopes stood, He too was set for a manly race, he was seeking the things that were good. But one was there who the roads did know And that one showed him the way to go; So he turned away from the road that led down, He won the race and the victor's crown. He walks today in the highways fair, Because one stood at the crossroads there To show him the better road. time comes for Sunday school all will go. You can’t tell your bay to go;'you must show him. We are supposed to instruct our children not only by pre cept but also by example! We are to lead and guide the child into the ex periences of these values by our own personal traits and by the habits of life we have formed. 22
After hearing such an exhortation one father •told me, “I went home to my family and I said to them after supper, ‘Now don’t go away. I want you all to come into the living room. I have a confession to make. I’ve not been what I should be to you. We’ve never had Bible reading. We’ve never had prayer in our home. We’re going to begin tonight. If someone will get the Bible you’ll have to help your fa ther because I’m not given to much speaking and this will be difficult. Let’s read through the 23rd Psalm and then let’s pray together the Lord’s prayer.’ ” The results were that the entire home was changed through such a humble beginning. There will be difficult times along the way but stick by it and God will reward you and your family with untold blessings both for the moment as well as for the years ahead. Two Christian parents do not make a Christian home in itself any more than two professors make a Christian university. It is when father and moth er dedicate their home to the glory of our blessed Lord, purposing that their lives shall be a reflection of the very nature of our Lord. This is largely the accomplishment of the family altar. The next question is, “How do you keep your children in the family altar from being bored?” The chief purpose of the family altar is not a mere habit, it is that which is desperately needed. There are many things you can do. When the children are in their younger years, let them get some of the Bible story books which are avail able. Let every child have a Bible and when they are old enough to read aloud let them have a part. For fur ther variety, sometimes let one of the children be responsible for the family altar and then sometimes another. In addition to the family altar we need to instruct our children as to the values of Christian fellowship. Be sure to take them to Sunday school and church. Don’t ask your child whether he wants to go, any more than you would ask him whether he wants to go to high school. This is permissive ness which is wrong. You must decide
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker