Being a mother, I have noted with earnest interest during the past two or three years the many theories and opinions in mortal thought with regard to children—very few of which do not place upon these little ones "burdens grievous to be borne;" and how many of us are lifting so much as a finger to free them? Here are some of the expressions we hear on every side about these little ones (whom Jesus loved and of whom he said, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven"): "How easier it is for a child to be naughty than to be good!"—and mortal mind usually winks at this seeming propensity—"You must not expect a child to enjoy a thing simply because it is right; he is not old enough to be so prosy;" "That's the boy of it; you need expect nothing good of boys;" "That child is too good to live; I would like to see a little more mischief in him," and so on. I might write pages of just such beliefs held and uttered by all around me—educated and ignorant—about these dear children. Now we know as Christian Scientists that wrong thoughts can do no harm "when opposed promptly and persistently by Christian Science" (Science and Health by Mary Baker G. Eddy, p. 170); but are we doing our duty in this direction, as Christian Science mothers and fathers? are we not often allowing ourselves to be mesmerized by the general human beliefs, and if not drawn into acquiescence with them, made to fear uttering the rebuke they deserve? It is our duty and it should be our joyous privilege, as far as is in our power, to break these bonds and lift off the burdens so thoughtlessly and lavishly heaped upon the children in every direction; and certainly we should never withhold the rebuke when we can wisely administer it.
We know the little leaven leavens the whole lump, therefore let us begin in our own households and free our own children from all these beliefs of mortal sense, and what a mighty wave of reform we shall start on its purifying mission.
And how shall we begin? First, read, with the heart, all Jesus has said about children and every word our textbook contains on this subject; then let us cast out of our consciousness every sense of limitation with regard to them; next, teach them by word and example the joy there is in learning and living this Truth; we shall find that they are far more teachable than adults; that their very simplicity fits them to understand things in Christian Science to which the adult's belief of wisdom would blind him; that their simple, direct manner of looking at things will gain for them a clear, spiritual point, where it would take us perhaps months to destroy our old opinions and beliefs sufficiently to catch a faint gleam of light on the same subject, and that they will "preach the gospel" to their companions fearlessly where we should fear to speak. Let us never pay a child for doing right, or for being helpful in the family; let him see that his highest reward for doing the right is the power it gives him over error and the joy he feels in gaining a larger knowledge of God. Let us know—and they will reflect it—that they have the thought, the strength, and the freedom to perform perfectly and with ease everything that comes to them to be done in the school and home. Above all, let us not succumb to the popular belief that children must be always, or most of the time, steeped in nonsense and frivolous play in order to be healthy and happy; but rather let us encourage them in demonstrating the Golden Rule, in accomplishing useful work, thereby bringing into their lives the joy and peace far outshining the fleeting pleasures of sense.
