Frank and Johnny:

 

FOR THE LITTLE SWEARER REPROVED.


FRANK, you shouldn't swear," said Johnny

to a little school-fellow with whom he was

playing.

"Why not," replied Frank.

"Because that is breaking the commandments.

It is wrong to break the commandments."

"Why, no; the commandments are all abolished."

"No, they are not; for the New Testament says

one jot or one tittle shall not pass from the law 

till all be fulfilled."

"But they have all been fulfilled."

Such was the conversation between these two

 little boys of perhaps ten years of age. One tries

 to keep the holy Sabbath, while the other, 

perhaps never heard a word about the present

 truth in his life. Where this little fellow, who, at

 so early an age was taking God's name in vain,

 got his no-law arguments, is a mystery; but my

 impression is, he got them where those of larger

 growth get theirs, who preach that God's holy 

law is done away. This was not the deepest 

impression it made upon my mind, for I thought

 how fast ungodly principles are fastening 

themselves upon the young, even upon

little children. I am glad that children who keep

 the Sabbath love better things, and even try to

 vindicate the commandments of God; but it is 

not safe at all for them to play with such wicked

 children; as in the case above mentioned, this

 little opposer and swearer turned upon his 

reprover with another oath. If children do not 

learn to swear, lie and steal, some other sin will

 lurk around, which will at last bite like a 

serpent and sting like an adder.

The sin of breaking the fifth commandment is 

one into which children are very apt to fall. They

 often do it before they think, though they are no

 less guilty. "I forgot," "I didn't think," "I don't 

know," &c., are very common expressions with 

children, and sometimes they say "I don't care," 

which is good evidence that they are on the road

 to ruin. How much better to pause and ask, Will

 father and mother approve of this? Will it please

them? Not rush ahead into wrong, and then

 quibble to keep it from their parents.

I know a little boy whose example I have wished

 might be before every little boy. I do not think

 this child, under any circumstances,

would disobey his parents. Some little boys and 

girls have no father nor mother, and others have

 to try to train them up in the nurture and 

admonition of the Lord. But the 

fifth commandment is just as binding on them as

 upon those who have them, and they will have

 just as strict an account to give at last.

Dear children: Go to God and ask for grace to

shun sin and do right, in these days of peril and

sin. Many snares beset your feet, but you may

shun them by loving God and your parents, and 

at last escape all these little dangers and have 

a place in the city of God. Will you try?




M. D. A.