765. ECC 11:6. EARLY AND PERSEVERING CULTURE RECOMMENDED.

Ecc_11:6. Early And Persevering Culture Recommended.

"In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good."’97Ecc_11:6.

The wise man, in this chapter, is inculcating benevolence’97large, comprehensive benevolence, see Ecc_11:1, "Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days." Ecc_11:2, Do good largely and liberally. Do good under all circumstances, laboring actively, whatever may be the aspect of the times, Ecc_11:4. Let active benevolence begin early, and be continued late, &c.’97Text. Our subject would properly comprehend all useful exertions. The text would apply to the Christian preacher’97to the parent’97to the teacher of youth’97to the distributer of tracts, &c. We shall apply the subject, and restrict it on this occasion to the training of the rising generation for God’s service and glory. Let us look, then,

I. At the ground we design for cultivation.

The minds and hearts of young people. We remark, the human soul,

1. Is naturally barren of that which is good.

There may be observable that which is intelligent, ingenuous, and even amiable. But where is the fear and love of God’97a devotional spirit, and those virtues and graces which constitute acceptable piety? How very soon, too, briers, thorns, and weeds are exhibited! How soon the minds of children manifest a bearing towards things which are sinful! Look at the tempers they manifest, the expressions they utter, and the actions they display! The mind will not continue vacant, the ground entirely unoccupied, the heart will not mend itself, nor good grow out of evil; there never was an instance of this kind.

2. The minds of children are capable of spiritual cultivation. So soon as they can understand, they may be taught; they may be impressed, they may be convinced of evil, they may be converted to God. The Church of Christ has had many delightful instances of very early conversions, which have been followed by a life of piety and usefulness. The Holy Scriptures exhibit this frequently. Behold the lovely child, &c., 1Sa_3:1, &c. Look at the pious Josiah, 2Ch_34:3 : "For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father," &c. Look also at Timothy, 2Ti_3:15 : "And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures," &c.

3. Religious cultivation is much easier in childhood than afterwards. The conscience is more tender’97the will less perverse’97the habits of sin less deeply rooted. Prejudices against religion not imbibed. According to the laws of the human mind, it is of the utmost importance to begin early. "Train up a child," &c. "A child left to himself," &c. "Ye fathers, bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Let us contemplate,

II. The seed which must be cast into this ground.

Now we do not attempt to dictate how or in what manner you shall govern your children; but if you desire their salvation, if you train them up for God’s service, then the seed sown must be the word of the living God. Word of God, is the good seed.

1. The word of God appropriately selected. The plainer, simpler, and more striking parts of it,’97parts which lead to right views of God, his goodness, &c. To sin, its evil, &c. To Jesus, in his life, &c. God has made religious subjects particularly plain. The New Testament as a whole, and especially the gospels, is the plainest book in the world.

2. The word of God explained.

And the best mode is by interrogation. Asking questions and giving answers. Thus was the youthful Jesus found in the temple.

3. The word of God deposited.

Seed must be sown,’97hid in the earth,’97treasured up. Not merely the words, but the sense, the meaning. "Thy word have I hid in my heart."

III. The manner in which this cultivation must be carried on.

1. We must begin early.

"In the morning." How important is the morning. The morning of the day,’97the morning of life. Let not every thing else be first, and religion last. Let not briers have overgrown the whole soul. Let not the stem be stout and unyielding. Oh, begin early!

It must be continued late.

Until the evening. Parental authority never ceases, so long as they are beneath your roof. Don’t give it up. Don’t yield the ground to the enemy. Your work must be continuous; you cannot tell which lesson, which entreaty, which admonition, which effort is to prosper. Constancy, perseverance, and patience, must carry on the work.

3. It must be associated with judicious discipline.

After the seed is sown, care and attention are required to preserve it, &c. Christian discipline is indispensable. Children require the exercise of guardian care. Restraint is often necessary, and sometimes correction. This was Eli’s sin, which brought ruin on himself and family, that his sons made themselves vile, &c.

4. It must be connected with constant prayer.

We may sow and labor, but God must bless. Look at the dying Jacob. "The angel who redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads." Look at the royal David, he returned to bless his household. We should pray that we may be able to do our duty, and to be examples, &c.; and that God would bless our work. God has given us great encouragement in the right and conscientious discharge of our duty. Observe, IV. The motives by which we should be induced to attempt the cultivation of the minds of the young.

1. It is a duty.

To neglect it is sin. Sin against the children,’97against society,’97against the church,’97against God.

2. We have good reason to hope that our efforts will succeed.

It is likely, possible, yea probable, that it will prosper. Thousands have rejoiced over pious children. What a delightful scene is a pious family. Parents and children walking in the fear of God.

3. We shall avoid condemnation though we should entirely fail.

Let every means be employed faithfully, prayerfully, and perseveringly, and then God will not condemn us, and our conscience will be clear when we meet them before the bar of God.

Application

1. Many children are left without Christian instruction. They have parents who do not fear God. Others must care for them and teach them. Sabbath-schools meet these cases, and they are very numerous. Besides, many parents cannot do all that is requisite, and Sunday-schools may assist and carry out their good desires, &c., towards them.

2. In these schools the seed or the divine word is sown. We meet now to arrange for the continuance of these efforts for another year. Let all, then, assist.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS