Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

wisest of men. Nor is there any likelihood that such impressions shall
ever be effaced, and that such habits shall ever be destroyed.
Teach a child that "whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth." Teach him
that God suffers men to hunger and be in want, that he may try them if
they will be faithful, and do them good in their latter end. Teach him that
he who patiently and meekly bears providential affliction shall be relieved
and exalted in due time. Teach him that it is no sin to die in the most
abject poverty and affliction, brought on in the course of divine
providence; but that any attempts to alter his condition by robbery,
knavery, cozening, and fraud, will be distinguished with heavy curses
from the Almighty, and necessarily end in perdition and ruin. A child thus
educated is not likely to abandon himself to unlawful courses.
We do not know of how much religious instruction our little ones are
capable. Nothing of this kind, rightly spoken and suitably recommended,
is lost. A child seldom forgets any thing by which it is interested. In the
morning sow thy seed: speak to them lovingly; instruct them
affectionately; encourage them powerfully; upbraid them as little as
possible; and commend them as much as you can. Tell them about Jesus;
and how he loves them; and what he has done for them; and what he will
do in them; and how happy he will eternally make them! No tale affects
the heart so much, whether of old or young, as that of Christ
crucified;—and, let me add, there is no tale that God will bless so much
as this; for there is nothing else that is, or can be, the power of God unto
salvation. He was delivered for our offences; he rose again for our
justification; and ever liveth to make intercession for us! How
unspeakable is his mercy! How boundless is his grace!
How powerful are the effects of a religions education, enforced by
pious example! It is one of God's especial means of grace. Let a man only
do justice to his family, by bringing them up in the fear of God, and he
will crown it with his blessing. How many excuse the profligacy of their
family, which is often entirely owing to their own neglect, by saying, "O
we cannot give them grace!" No, you cannot; but you can afford them the