SUPPORT GSPS |
The Gold, Silver, Precious Stones team appreciates your contributions in support of this work. Please send your correspondence to:
Gold, Silver, Precious Stones
P.O. Box 240
Harvest, AL 35749
|
|
|
|
in Messenger of Peace (July 1876)
I feel drawn out in my mind to write a communication for the Messenger, upon the subject of the duties of children to their parents, and parents to their children. In the days of the children of Israel, it was considered a great crime for children to disobey their parents, and the blessings connected with their obedience was enjoyed in this life, and it is rare indeed that a child comes to much good that continues to live in disobedience to its parents. The Apostle certainly had reference to fleshly children when he said, “children obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right.” Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Eph. vi chap., 1, 2 and 3. I feel that I am now addressing the children scattered abroad, and I do not wish to mislead you, and to make you believe that your obedience to your parents, will be a cause of you gaining an admission at God’s right hand, but your well being in this life. What a blessing to parents that have children who seek to do their bidding.
Children, you should remember that it is a command of God, that you should obey your parents, if you do not, the wrath of your Creator will be upon you. We live in a day, that it is thought a small crime for children to be disobedient, and we see the great results of it. Our state prisons are being filled up with persons, who in childhood were disobedient to their parents. My mind has been lately drawn out upon this subject. I was called a few days ago to preach the funeral of a young man with whom I was well acquainted, that came to his end by being disobedient to adopted parents; the circumstances were about as follows: His parent who was kind to his adopted son, had purchased him a watch as he had long desired it, but after he had it awhile he desired his parent to let him trade it for a revolver, his parent did not consent but tryed to teach him the danger of such things, telling him he might kill himself, or somebody else. He did not obey, but made the trade on Friday, had never used the revolver until Sabbath evening following, returning from Sabbath-school, he came past the house where the young man lived, that he traded with, and obtained five bullets, and he put one in the revolver, and was playing with it at home on the porch, about 10 o’clock at night, and was passing it from one hand to the other with the muzzle pointing toward him, with a handkerchief wrapped around it to conceal it, it went off and discharged its contents in his bowels, he lived 23 hours, and fell a victim to death. Before he died he said, I killed myself.—This is only one of many instances of disobedience to parents, which brings many great troubles upon the children and parents. Let me impress upon your minds, that you should listen to the teachings of father and mother, that it may be well with you in this life. |
|
