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Dr. Narramore, graduate of Columbia University, New York City, is a nationally known psychologist, is the director of one of America's largest psychological clinics— The Christian Counseling center in Pasadena, California. TEEN-AGE BOYS OUT OF CONTROL
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whom you could sit down and discuss this. You should not have to carry this all by yourself. There might be a man in the community willing to employ these boys part time, where they might feel the influence of a godly man. IS A CHILD EVER TOO YOUNG TO BE SAVED? Q. What would you do when a seven- year-old child expresses a desire to be saved and to be baptized but the parents think the child is too young? This youngster has above average understanding. A. Since the child belongs to his parents, your responsibility is to talk with them about their child’s desires. I would suggest that you discuss three things with the child’s par ents. First, what is the meaning of salvation? Secondly, what is the meaning o f baptism? And, thirdly, just how much understanding and maturity is involved in accepting Christ as one’s personal Saviour and following Him in baptism? By talking to them about the above points, they will not only gain an understanding of what the child is doing but they will realize that there is a need in their own lives. It is also very effective to place brief, pointed materials on these sub jects in the hands of the parents. No doubt you will want to talk with them several times. Do not leave the child alone in this seeming misunderstanding between himself, his parents and his Sunday school teacher. Explain to him that his parents are seriously considering it and that no doubt in time they will be very happy for him to be baptized but that in the meantime he can put his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and can live a wonder ful life for the Lord.
fer for it. A man jumping out of a five-story window would be foolish to say, “ I think I’ll go up.” He knows gravity will pull him down onto the street below and undoubted ly he will be killed. This is what happens to young men and women who marry the wrong person; they get into such problems as this. May I make a suggestion or two to this mother? There are some things you can do th r ough the strength of God which you could never do in your own strength. I think the situation has reached a point where you’re going to have to say, “ God, I don’t know what to do. These boys are your creations, and I ask you to work in their hearts; do whatever is necessary to bring them to you.” If you will get on your knees every day and talk with the Lord about this and ask Him to rule in these young people’s lives, He will do just that. I am sure there are many people reading this article who could say, “ Yes, he’s exactly right. I had that problem myself, but I turned it over to God and He did the impossible.” Humanly speaking, the picture is not bright, but with God all things are possible. Take time every day to pray for them; treat them as kindly and cordially as possible, because it will not help to fight them. They al ready feel that they have gotten the bad end of things in life, and it’s true, they have. Children should not have to go through what they have experienced. The result is they are angry at society, at their father and their mother and so they take it out on anyone they can. If you can possibly get them out to summer camps, or under the in fluence of someone in the community who would take a Christian interest in these boys, it may be very help ful. There must be someone with
Q. How can I, as a widow, control my H and 15-year-old boys? My husband was an alcoholic, and we separated five years ago. I kept pray ing for him. I worked long hours to keep up with the bills and keep the boys in school. Recently my husband died as a result of. excessive drink ing. The boys are disobedient and high- tempered. I can hardly get them to go to church any more, and they slip around and smoke when I don’t know it. The other day when I did not order a guitar amplifier which one of the boys wanted, he got so angry that he packed up and left home. The other one was sent to the principal’s office for cutting up in class, but came home instead. We get a small amount of social security, and the boys think they can use that for spending money. If it iceren’t for God’s help, I don’t know what I would do. Can you help me? A. Our hearts go out to this mother and her boys. This is not a recent problem; it started when these chil dren were born. These boys have been raised in an atmosphere of tur moil for many years; they have been robbed of a home where blessed quietness, love, and affection are learned and experienced. As a re sult, they have a serious problem. A letter like this should point out to all teenagers that this could be what they are in for if they marry an unbeliever. God does not promise peace to a person who marries out side the faith; in fact, just the op posite is true. I would suggest this, young men and women around the world, that you should seriously con sider whom you marry. God has laws that are stable and eternal and if you transgress them, you will suf
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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