Article April 23, 1979 Issue

Children in the city of Truth

J. DENIS GLOVER

A child's experience can be enriched by being brought up in the city. Inner-city malls with bookstores, flower stalls, and innovative designs can make a family's walk downtown entertaining. Many urban areas have museums and exhibitions especially designed for children, as well as youth concerts and other cultural events. Aquariums teach young people the habits and value of sea creatures, and zoos can foster reverence for life.

City neighborhoods are often closely knit and give a feeling of community. There's likely to be a mixture of ethnic backgrounds at school. It's often possible to walk or bicycle to recreation—like sailing or ball games. Schools are usually close by, and have easy access to the city's cultural resources. All of these activities show the richness of experience our cities can bring to children.

As many cities throughout the world undergo slow but monumental restoration, and families bring children back to them, I've thought of the passage in Zechariah that speaks of the restoration of Jerusalem, particularly these two lines: "Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth," and "The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof."^{ Zech. 8:3, 5;}

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