THE PARENTS' FRIEND. CHAPTER XIII. Religion and Moral Philosophy. AS the foundation of virtue, children ought very early to have imprinted on their minds a true notion of God, as of the independent Supreme Being, Author and Maker of all Things, from whom we receive all our good, who loves us and gives us all things. And consequent to this, instill into him a love and reverence of the Supreme Being. This is enough to begin with, without going to explain this matter any farther, for fear, lest by talking too early of spirits, and being unreasonably forward to make him understand the incomprehensible nature of that infinite Being, his head be either filled with false, or perplexed with unintelligible notions of him. Let him only be told upon occasion, that God made and governs all things, hears and sees every thing, and does all manner of good to those that love and obey him. You will find that, being told of such a God, other thoughts will be apt to rise up fast enough in his mind about him, which, as you observe them to have any mistakes, you must set right. And I think it would be better if men generally rested in such an idea of God, without being too curi ous in their notions about a being which ai must acknowledge incomprehensible; whereby many, who have not strength and clearness of thought to distinguish between what they can, and what they cannot know, run themselves into superstition or atheism, making God like themselves, or else none at all. And I am apt to think the keeping children constantly morning and evening to acts of devotion to God, as to their maker, preserver, and benefactor, in some plain and short form of prayer suitable to their age and capacities, will be of much more use to them in religion, knowledge, and virtue, than to distract their thoughts with curious inquiries into his inscrutable essence and being. Be sure to preserve their tender minds from all impressions and notions of spirits and goblins, or any fearful apprehensions in the dark, and let them know that God, who made all things good for them, made the night that they might sleep the better and quieter, and that, they being under his protection, there is nothing in the dark to hurt them. The Bible is certainly a very unfit book for children to read promiscuously; for what pleasure or encouragement can it be to a child to read a book of which he understands nothing? And how little are the greater part of the Scriptures suited to a child's capacity! What an odd jumble of thoughts must a child have in his head, if he have any at all, such as he should have concerning religion, who in his tender age reads all the parts of the Bible indifferently as the word of God, without any other distinction. I am apt to think that this in some men has been the very reason why they never had any distinct thoughts of it all their life time. There are, certainly, some parts of the Scripture which may be selected for a child to read, and he may learn some of the instructions of our Saviour in the New Testament. Young people should read a good history of the Bible, wherein every thing is put down in due order of time, and several things omitted which are only suited to riper years. This they should be well acquainted with before they begin the study of natural philosophy, that many phenomena may be referred to the immediate will of God, instead of only accounting for them by physical or natural causes.-Locke. The first use we should make of a child's reason, is to teach him to know God, and the truths of Christianity. You may show a child a house, and make him comprehend that it cannot have built itself, or the stones have been raised, had no one carried them up; in proof of which you may show him masons and bricklayers at work. Then desire him to look at the heavens, the earth, and the numerous vegetable and animal productions which God has formed for the use of man, and say to him, "how much more beautiful "is this world we inhabit than that house? Can the "world then have made itself? No: God made it with "his own hands.” To convince children that many things may exist which can neither be seen, heard, nor felt, ask them, "if it is not true that such a one is wise, and that "another has a great deal of wit?" When they have answered, "yes," say, "but have you ever seen his "wisdom? Of what colour is it? Have you heard it? "Does it make much noise? Have you touched it? "Is it cold or hot?" The child will laugh, as he would were you to ask him similar questions concerning spirits. He would be surprised if any one inquired what colour a spirit is of, and whether it is round or square. You may then observe to him, that he knows many things really exist which he can neither see, feel, nor hear, and that these things are spiritual. But you must enter into these kinds of discussions with great caution. I only wish to teach you how to answer the questions of those children, whose curiosity and reasoning lead you to these objects against your will. When you explain to a child the use of prayer, tell him God commands us to pray to him, not because he is ignorant of our wants, but because he would have us accustomed to offer up our petitions as an acknowledgement of our dependence upon him; so that it is the true humility of our hearts, the full conviction of our weakness, and our entire reliance on his goodness, that he requires of us. These petitions, which he orders us to make, only consist of our intentions and desires, as there is no occasion for words in our communications with the Divinity. Some people repeat a great many words and never pray at all; others pray inwardly without uttering a syllable. Words and forms of prayer may nevertheless be very useful, as they may excite in us the thoughts and sentiments they express, provided we are attentive, and for this reason Jesus Christ has given us a form of prayer which should be preferred to all others.-Fenelon. |