Luke 1:66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying… "What manner of child shall this be? " Will it grow up to manhood or womanhood, or will the flower be nipped in the bud? And if it grow to man's estate, what kind of a man will it make? Wise, virtuous, useful; or foolish, vicious, profligate? Such questions as these associated with the birth of childhood. The true parent will not be content simply with asking "What manner," &c., but realizing that the answer to that question depends very largely upon home-training and influence, will set to work to make that training and influence of such a character as will, under God, produce the best results. To assist you in this work will now be my aim. I begin by reminding you that your child is fearfully and wonderfully made. It is a " Trinity in Unity." It is made up of three parts. And each of these parts must be cultivated and developed in order to a complete and noble manhood. I. YOUR CHILD HAS A BODY THAT REQUIRES TO BE BUILT UP AND PERFECTED. II. YOUR CHILD HAS A SOUL THAT NEEDS TO BE DEVELOPED AND CULTURED. By the soul I mean that moral and intellectual part of your child's nature which distinguishes it from, and raises it above, the brutes that perish. III. Your CHILD HAS A SPIRITUAL NATURE WHICH NEEDS TO BE ENCOURAGED AND FOSTERED AND CAREFULLY AND PRAYERFULLY WATCHED OVER. Observe — 1. This threefold development should be simultaneous. 2. We should begin early, should look for signs of early piety, and should interpret these as indications that God Himself is at work in their young hearts. Our children have visions of God much earlier than we are accustomed to think. Let us encourage them to foster these visions, to listen to the voice of God within, to respond to the wooings of His love. This done, we need not trouble ourselves with the question, "What manner," &c., but may safely and joyfully leave our children in God's hands, feeling assured thatHis grace will prove more than sufficient for all their needs, that His love will never see them want any good thing, and that His spirit, which has begun the good work in their souls, will carry it on to perfection. (W. Fox.) Parallel Verses KJV: And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. |
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