COMPULSORY CHRISTIANITY
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But, can we compel our children to become Christians? Yes, and No! While they must of
their own free-will submit to God, yet we can so humble ourselves and prevail for them that, as a
rule, they will yield. Their yielding, however, may hinge upon several things.
1. Being companionable. Many homes are more like boarding houses than a happy family
circles where mother frequently sits on father's knee and the children feel easy and secure in his
presence. If parents made home more attractive and inviting instead of everlastingly lecturing and
scolding, perhaps the boys and girls would prefer staying at home in the evenings instead of
seeking comfort from outside sources.
2. Their salvation may hinge upon taking time occasionally to have a revival around the
family altar. It is not enough to go through the stereotyped form of family prayers. This can become
dry and repugnant. But it will pay to break through the formality and get the blessing of God down
once in a while.
3. Their salvation may hinge upon the confession of a parent. Most children have heard
their parents blame and criticize each other, but few have ever heard them apologize for any little
inattention or manner which would have been thought out of place during courtship.
4. Their salvation may depend upon a parent's confession to the child. Never think for a
moment that this is beneath the dignity of a parent. If you would have your child break down and
confess, set him the example. Get him alone and there humbly apologize for every place where you
were too soft or too severe; where you spent more time scolding than weeping over him; apologize
for feasting, rather than fasting for his salvation; for instilling rivalry rather than religion in his
young mind. If parents yearned for true piety rather than popularity in their offspring no doubt they
would become eminently pious instead of vicious.
5. Their salvation may hinge upon the parents' entering into a secret covenant between
themselves and their God. Such a covenant may involve one thing or another. But instead of it
being irksome it will afford much comfort and assurance as to the happy outcome of the children's
guidance, protection and salvation. This covenantal relationship will enable a parent with one act
of faith to defy hell and demand in Jesus' name the housing of all your family in heaven. What a
pity then if these parents are so coarse and covetous that God cannot led them into such a heavenly
covenant. It would seem that ministers, who in reality are Levites, should raise children only for
their tribe- the ministry. Why? While the family was growing up, the parents were more or less
handicapped in the work of soul winning. Hence, in order to recompense this loss, some, if not all,
of their children should take up the same line of work and accomplish what the parent failed to
accomplish. - E.E.S.
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