Article August 3, 1935 Issue

The Friend of Youth

PETER B. BIGGINS

The opening words of the book of Proverbs contain an appeal to the moral and spiritual sense of the younger generation. Here we read that the instruction contained in this book is designed "to give ... to the young man knowledge and discretion." The rare gems of wisdom contained therein afford guidance and helpful counsel to those of tender years, as well as to those of riper experience. They include important spiritual truths, an understanding of which is essential to human well-being. As recorded by the wise man of old, wisdom continues to utter its winsome appeal to all today, "Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man."

Centuries after these helpful messages had been given in the book of Proverbs, Christ Jesus, "greater than Solomon," imparted to humanity precious words of counsel and cheer. Christ Jesus was and is indeed the friend of youth. He raised certain young people from the dead—the young daughter of Jairus and the son of the widow of Nain. Young men sought him to learn how they might "enter into life." The Apostle John is usually depicted as being a young man when he associated with the Master. Doubtless it was John's appreciation of what the truth had been to him in his early years that enabled him, later on, to write so encouragingly to young people, "I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." Thus in each succeeding age there have come these words of encouragement to young people.

The youth of today have a rich heritage in the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. Her teachings, resulting from inspiration, and her consistent expression of Christlikeness, impart the fruits of ripe experience, rare sympathy for humanity, and practical helpfulness in solving human problems. In her inspiring article on "Youth and Young Manhood," contributed to the Cosmopolitan Magazine in 1907, she writes, "Dear reader, right thinking, right feeling, and right acting—honesty, purity, unselfishness—in youth tend to success, intellectuality, and happiness in manhood" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 274).

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