“For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” – Isaiah 28:10
…Through the children, many parents will be reached. (1)
The lessons taught to children and youth make an impression upon their minds which influences their characters in a far greater degree than older persons imagine. In my childhood a minister who came to my father’s house at Portland, Maine, read the chapter in Acts in regard to the deliverance of Peter, when an angel of God took the prey from the enemy who had determined to destroy him. The chapter was read slowly and solemnly, and it made an impression on my young mind that has kept the narrative vividly before me to this day.
Now from the light given me of God, I know that as a people we have not improved our opportunities for educating and training the youth. We should teach them how to read and understand the Scriptures. Wherever there is a Biblical institute for ministers and people, we should, in connection with it, organize a class for the youth. Their names should be registered. All should feel the importance of the scheme of educating the youth to understand the Scriptures. Let the work be taken hold of in the very simplicity of the truth itself. Lead the minds of the youth from truth to truth, up higher and higher, showing them how scripture interprets scripture, one passage being the key to other passages. Thus the Scripture itself will be the educating power, holding the thoughts in captivity to Christ. (2)
From childhood to youth teach them to look to Christ as their Saviour, lead their thoughts to contemplate Christ; teach them that Jesus is the pattern for all childhood. (3)
Meetings for the children should be held, not merely to educate and entertain them, but that they may be converted. And this will come to pass. If we exercise faith in God we shall be enabled to point them to the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. All who attend our large gatherings are to be labored for. The high and the low, the rich and the poor, are to be reached by this class of labor. (4)
Charge for the Day: As your church plans evangelism and community events, take an active role in making sure children are also taken into account.
1. Manuscript 52, 1900
2. Letter 27a, 1892
3. Manuscript 5, 1896
4. Manuscript 6, 1900