May, 1936
171
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
said that if the children were to learn arithmetic at the same rate they learn the truths of God’s Word, it would take them fifty years to grasp the common branches of that subject. F ath er : In other words, you are impressing on me that our youngsters need daily teaching at home. That it ? M o t h e r : Exactly. And ours are quite ready for it. Did you hear some of the questions Nancy was asking about God ? Made me feel very inadequate. F a t h e r : Well, I’ll back you up, Helen, in all your plans, for I realize that the first impressions in religion" are very lasting. We want our children to have right concep tions and right attitudes in such matters. First conference next Sunday afternoon, eh? (Father and Mother have moved into a roomy, old- fashioned house, having yard space for the children’s ac tivities, as well as basement and attic facilities for develop ing their ingenuity. Betty, aged five, and Ray, aged three, are now part of the family circle. The daily devotions are conducted in the evening in order that the father may be included. Each Saturday a little test or “quiz” is given the children.) M o t h e r : Tomorrow is Saturday, Bob. The older children will want to stay in bed an extra hour, you know. We must prepare the little quiz for them to work out right after breakfast. F a t h e r : Well, let’s see. In our daily readings we have been having the parables on “readiness.” I feel sure Nancy and Billy have understood them fairly well and will be able to answer their five questions easily. M o t h e r : Betty and Ray are most eager to tell you what they have learned this week, so be sure to listen care fully. F ath er : Isn’t it remarkable how much the youngsters are learning? Incidentally, I think we are learning more than they are. M o t h e r : Best of all, Bob, results in their little lives are most apparent. I overheard Nancy say to Billy, “If we aren’t ready when Jesus comes, the door will be shut and we can’t get in.” F ath er : What did he say ? ! M o t h e r : He said, “Let’s be ready, then.” Doesn’t that put the responsibility on us, to show them how ? Some times I feel Nancy is quite old enough to make her decision. F a t h e r : Let’s not force it. She is being “exposed” to the teaching, and if we tactfully lead her on, it will be her own commitment and will mean far more to her. M o th er : Shall we make one of their questions for this week’s quiz, “What must a person do to be ready to meet Jesus?” F a t h e r : Yes, that’s a good idea. Let’s see how much they have grasped this study on preparation. ( The following week ) . F ath er : Looks as if Nancy means business, doesn’t it ? I had a little talk and prayer with her this evening. Her faith and understanding are both apparent. She almost startled me when she said, “I want to be baptized next Sun day, Daddy. I’m ready.” M other : Let’s talk it over with her Sunday-school teacher and the pastor: I feel we must not hinder her in this decision. F a t h e r : It certainly makes me feel a most unworthy father, but I’m very happy about it. M o th er : We must expect results from the seed sown in our children’s lives. It’s our prayer that the other three E pisode II. (Five years later )
may have as clear vision concerning this step as Nancy has, isn’t it, Bob? F ath er : Yes, indeed. I don’t believe it will be long before Billy follows her example. He asks plenty of ques tions that show he is thinking. E pisode III. (Five years later ) (Nancy is now fifteen, Billy thirteen, Betty ten, and Ray eight years of age. The activities of the home have increased greatly, particularly along social lines, for each child has his or her particular chums and friends. The parents make a point of being at home as much as possible, creating “good times” for the children there. Following his sister’s example, Billy has also received the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour. The family get-togethers are a seem ing necessity now, proving do be exceedingly valuable in stressing and developing cooperation, c o n s id e ra tio n , promptness, and diligence. Two neighborhood clubs also are held each week, one for the older children and one for the younger:), A F am ily C lub M eeting N ancy (President jv The meeting will now come to order. The secretary will read the minutes of the last meet ing. . . . Any corrections ? They stand approved as read. Let iis consider first the old business. M other (Secretary)^ We did not decide definitely to whom our “fine” money should go. Some said to our mis sionary friend in Africa; others said to the Friendship Center here in town. B illy (Treasurer): I move we give it here ; then we can see what happens to it. F ath er (Sergeant-at-arms)r: If we gave all our money that way, what would the missionaries do ? What do you say, Betty ? B etty : Let’s give it this time to Africa and next time here. F ath er : The wisdom of Solomon! I move it be done that way. R ay : I second it. N a n c y : All those in favor? It is carried. Now for new business. B illy : I ’ve noticed that Mother isn’t playing the game. She picks up the things left around and doesn’t fine us for them. When she does that, I move we fine her. F a t h e r : Second it. N a n c y : Those in favor? Carried. M o t h e r : You’ll be surprised how many fines I ’ll have to report next week. Better be careful. R ay : I move that Betty and I are not fined if we are really in bed at eight o’clock, prayers said and everything. N a n c y : I think that’s fair, now that the evenings are getting lighter. B e tty : I second it. N ancy : All those in favor? Carried. B illy : I should like to know what the Society thinks about inviting to our clubs those kids who have moved into our block. They are about the right ages. Mom can call on their mother and tell her about all the things we do. R ay and B etty : Oh, that would be swell! N a n c y : Let’s hear Mom’s report first. She can tell whether the younger ones would like you children’s club and whether the older ones can be helped by ours. Every thing is going so well in our clubs now, we don’t want them spoiled. F a th er : I move Mother make a report at the next meeting. Meanwhile, you can all learn what you can of the new family. [Continued on page 17S]
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