SEEMON XXXVI. On the education of children. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can an evil tree bring forth good fruit. MATT. vii. 18. THEN the Word of God tells us, that a good plant cannot produce bad fruit, and that a bad one cannot produce good fruit. Learn from this, brethren, that a good father brings up good children. But, if parents be wicked, how can the children be virtuous? Have you ever, says the Redeemer, in the same gospel, seen grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles ? Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles ? (v. 16.) And, in like manner, it is impossible, or rather very difficult, to find children virtuous, who are brought up by immoral parents. Fathers and mothers, be attentive to this sermon, which is of great importance to the eternal salvation of yourselves and of your children. Be attentive, young men and young women, who have not as yet chosen a state of life. If you wish to marry, learn this day the obligations which you can contract with regard to the education of your children ; and learn also that, if you do not fulfil them, you shall bring yourselves and all your children to dam nation. I shall divide this sermon into two points. In the first, I shall show how important it is to bring up children in habits of virtue ; and in the second, I shall show with what care and diligence a parent ought to labour to bring them up well. First Point. How very important it is to bring up children in habits of virtue. 1. A father owes two obligations to his children ; he is bound to provide for their corporal wants, and to educate them in habits of virtue. It is not necessary at present to say more on the first obligation, than that there are some fathers more cruel than the most ferocious of wild beasts ; for these do not forget to nourish their offspring ; _ but certain parents squander away in eating and drinking, and gaming, all their property, or all the fruits of their industry, and allow their children to die of hunger. But let us come to the education, which is the subject of my discourse. 2. It is certain that a child s future good or ill con duct depends on his being brought up well or ill. Nature itself teaches every parent to attend to the edu cation of his offspring. He who has given them being ought to endeavour to make life useful to them. God gives children to parents, not that they may assist the family, but that they may be brought up in the fear of God, and be directed in the way of eternal salvation. We have, says St. Chrysostom, a great deposit in children; let us attend to them with great care. (Horn, ix., in 1 ad Tit.) Children have not been given to parents as a present, which they may dispose of as they please, but as a trust, for which, if lost through their negligence, they must render an account to God. The Scripture tells us, that when a father observes the divine law, both he and his children shall prosper. That it may be well with thee and thy children after thee, when thou shalt do that which is pleasing in the sight of God. (Deut. xii. 25.) The good or ill conduct of a parent may be known, by those who have not witnessed it, from the life which his children lead. For by the fruit the tree is known/ (Matt. xii. 33.) A father/ says Ecclcsiasticus, who leaves a family, when he departs this life, is as if he had not died ; because his sons remain, and exhibit his habits and character. His father is dead, and he is as if he were not dead ; for he hath left one behind him that is like himself. (Eccl. xxx. 4.) When we find a son addicted to blasphemies, to obscenities, and to theft, we have reason to suspect that such too was the character of the father. For a man is known by his children. (Eccl. xi. 30.) ..............Continue......................
Posted on: Mon, 02 Dec 2013 08:21:07 +0000
Trending Topics
© 2015