Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 85, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 July 1898 — Sunday-vSchool Column [ARTICLE]

Sunday-vSchool Column

| Some one has said that; “Life is what w'e make it.” This. I believe jis true in most cases, yet ther4 are I exceptions;, the natives of Africa j have not chosen to be slaves to j their superiors during the past centuries, but many have lived this wretched life, simply, on account of their environment surrounded by hostile tribes who are led by merciless chieftains, they have been driven like cattle to the market place and sold to the highest bidder. In this enlightened country of ours there is given to each and every one an opportunity to be something and to do something. Every boy and girl has an opportunity to get a good education. Every profession or calling in life is open to them and it remains with them what they will door what they will become, whether they will travel the road pf usefulness to fame or fortune, is all left to their own personal effort. We saw on a banner not long ago —The Youth, the Hope of our country. Parents, do not realize what this means? It means that your children and my children are soon to assume responsible positions in life: places of trust and honor. The train of time is rushing us onward and we will sooner or later drop from passenger list and our children take cur places. Will they be prepared will ihey be ready? This depends to a great degree in the interest we take in them, their success, their achievement depend in a great measure, to the training, education and influence with which they are surrounded.

The question comes to us —What can we do for them? We answer keep them as much as possible,’ in a good, pure, wholesome, moral atmosphere. If you want to sprout sweet potatoes don’t pack your hot bed with ice. If you don’t want your boy to use tobacco, take a social glass or play cards, don’t do these things yourself. Example is what the world is looking at —its not what we claim to be, but what we are, thatcouuts. We send our children to the schools and colleges that they may obtain a knowledge of the arts and sciences of the day but, I ask, what will it all amount to if they ignore the principles of the divine truth. Let us see to it that heart learning is inculcated as well as head learning, and one of the best places to get this learning is in the, Sunday school. C. W. Faris, Gillam. Ind.