Editorial April 7, 1906 Issue

"Train up a child in the way he should go"

ANNIE M. KNOTT

AT no other period in human history have there been so many theories as to the best training for children,— the best means of advancing their physical, mental, and moral well being,— as at the present time. Happily a large proportion of these spring from a very sincere love of the little ones, and a corresponding desire to give them the advantage of a fair start in life's great school. Many of these theories are, however, a source of much amusement to those who have had experience with children; they are vividly suggestive of "a pattern on the thumb nail." and in the end it is admitted that it may be better to leave much to God and to nature. It is obvious that never before were disease theories so pressed upon the attention of parents as now. with the result of ever-growing disquiet and anxiety upon the part of those who harbor them. One can but think longingly upon the Master's words.— "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not."—words that are so often mistakenly associated with the thought of death, rather than with that full and abundant sense of life which he offered to all who would accept it. With what tenderness did he awaken from the dream of death the little daughter of Jairus! Life as God was the end and aim of his glorious healing ministry, as it is of the ministry of Christian Science to-day.

It is cause for rejoicing that so many are coming to see the desirability and wisdom of bringing the truths of Christian Science to the child thought as early as possible, and thus training him in the way he should go,—the eternal way of health, holiness, and happiness. Under the old material regime the tendency is largely to cultivate for parent and child a belief in the inevitableness of disease, and at the same time to enforce an enslaving obedience to asserted health laws, which are really disease laws and not divine statutes. It undoubtedly takes courage for a parent to step out of the little ship of dependence upon materiality, and to go upon the waters to meet Christ, who stills the tempest as of yore; but now as then Truth brings cheer to the trembling thought and says, "Wherefore didst thou doubt?"

A mother who has but recently come into Christian Science may be alarmed at the symptoms of an ailment which had caused her child nights and days of suffering under medical treatment with no abatement of fear at the subsidence of the attack ; but after a brave and decisive struggle, — a vigil along with God and her child, — a new vista opens up before her, wherein divine Love beckons to the green pastures and still waters which are to be found every where that Truth is known. Parents cannot overestimate their indebtedness to our beloved Leader for the uplifting message of Christian Science which she has brought to them for their children. Under its spiritual discipline the child grows strong to resist sin and disease through the understanding of that divine law whose operation tends to lessen the mortal tendency to both sin and sickness until it finally disappears.

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