The Bible contains many examples of tenderness and affection shown to children, and it points out with appreciation their simplicity and humility of thought. The Gospels indicate Jesus' love for children. On one occasion he called them to him and told his disciples (Luke 18:16), "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."
Mrs. Eddy had a deep love for children that led her to provide the Christian Science Sunday School for them. In the Church Manual she specifies (Art. XX, Sect. 1,) "Pupils may be received in the Sunday School classes of any Church of Christ, Scientist, up to the age of twenty years, and by transfer from another Church of Christ, Scientist, up to that age, but no pupil shall remain in the Sunday School of any Church of Christ, Scientist, after reaching the age of twenty."
In Section 3 of the same article she says: "The first lessons of the children should be the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20: 3–17), the Lord's Prayer (Matt. 6:9– 13), and its Spiritual Interpretation by Mary Baker Eddy, Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:3–12). The next lessons consist of such questions and answers as are adapted to a juvenile class, and may be found in the Christian Science Quarterly Lessons, read in Church services. The instruction given by the children's teachers must not deviate from the absolute Christian Science contained in their textbook."
