IN these days of upheaval in Church and State it is not surprising that the young, with their minds still unformed, should be in a state of bewilderment as to what path to pursue. Fortunately, there is a sure guide given and to which our attention is directed by the Apostle in his advice to Timothy: “Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (II. Tim. iii. 14, 15). That was advice tendered to Timothy in prospect of a time when evil men and seducers would wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. The policy of the devil is either to make us build on a false foundation, or to cause such unsettlement in the circumstances that surround us and restlessness in the mind as to make us believe that there is nothing stable and sure at all, but that all things are forever in a state of change and transition. It is well, in view of this, to know that there is a Rock which is not moved with the swelling of the turbulent seas, and that there are truths to which we would do well to take heed, which we have learned and have been assured of, knowing of whom we have learned them. Our young people are specially open to the temptation to cut adrift from what they learned in their youth, through the fear of being considered odd or singular and not so up-to-date as their new town or city companions and associates. It is marvellous how readily some are turned aside, and without a moment’s hesitation adopt opinions and views of truth so crude and unscriptural that a moment’s serious examination of them would reveal their utter fallaciousness. It is well that those responsible for the training of the young—parents and others—should bring them up in the nur-
ture and admonition of the Lord, for while they cannot make Christians of them, yet such a training in the truths that endure will have in most cases a steadying effect on the minds of the young when suddenly plunged into the eddying whirlpools of modern views and opinions when they leave their quiet homes in the glens and straths of the Highlands to make their way in the great world, either in southern cities or distant lands. While, speaking generally, it is true that most of our young people adhere loyally to what they were taught by those who longed for their everlasting good, that cannot be said about them all. Some are soon parted with that which they should value higher than everything in this world. New companions, new circumstances, the lack of the old discipline, and the absence of home influences change the whole outlook for these. They hear the Word of God derided, they see His holy Day desecrated, and His people laughed at, and having no moral courage or strength of character, they follow the line of least resistance, and go with the crowd. If these lines should catch the eye of any such we trust they will ponder over Paul’s advice to Timothy. Why should we be ashamed of God and His Son Jesus Christ, of His Book and His holy Day? What have they ever done to us to make us ashamed of them? We have been often surprised what an extraordinary change comes over some of our young people when they leave home for southern cities or distant lands. They never darken the doors of Free Presbyterian places of worship, and were they actuated by no higher motive than respect for their parents one would naturally conclude that when away from home they would attend the means of grace as regularly as when at home.
One of the most powerful weapons used by Satan for effecting his purposes is fear. The fear of being considered singular is too much for many a young man and woman. They tremble like an aspen leaf at the thought of being reckoned out of line with their companions. At first they may find it hard to join heartily with them in desecrating God’s Day, but by and bye it becomes easier, and the conscience becoming less active, is giving less trouble; then follows neglect of the means of grace, and no one can tell where the long, sad road so thoughtlessly entered will end if God, in mercy, will not intervene. How often has Satan employed fear in leading the young from the path of duty! The story told of the young man who went to begin his business career in the city of New York is a good
illustration of this. He was a dutiful son, and read his Bible every morning at home, and on leaving the paternal roof he promised to continue this good practice. But the first morning in the boarding-house his courage failed him in the presence of his fellow-boarders, and particularly one of them, of whom he was especially afraid, though he had given him no reason. Next morning came and he was weaker, and as day after day passed he felt his courage waning, though his conscience still kept accusing him. At length he summed up sufficient courage to read his Bible, but he was so ashamed lest any one should see him that he went away to a quiet corner in the room. While he was there the young man of whom he was specially afraid came up to him, and taking him warmly by the hand, said—”How thankful I am to see you reading your Bible. Do you know I promised to do this when I left home, but I was so afraid of you that I could not summon courage to do it.” “Well,” said the young man who had been reading his Bible, “that is strange. I promised to do the same when I left home, but I was so afraid of my fellow-boarders, and especially of you, that I could not do it.” It was a cunningly-contrived plot of the devil, but fortunately in this case it miscarried. It is well that the young, both at home and from home, should realise that they have a vigilant Enemy, who is seeking their service in the days of their youth, and it is well that they should give ear to the Preacher’s voice—”Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” No amount of care on our part or the part of others will do, however important it be, notwithstanding that we watch and pray, unless the Lord keep us—except the Lord the city keep the watchmen watch in vain. But it is well that we should give an attentive ear to what the Word of God says to us—”Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not to thine own understanding” (Provs. iii. 5). In the midst of all the conflicting opinions of our day we need true wisdom and knowledge, and we are told where and how that is to be found—”My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee: so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and lift up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom
for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of His saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path” (Provs. ii. 1-9). We cannot do better in concluding this article than lay special stress on the absolute necessity of being born again if we are to be saved, and of the absolute need of the Holy Spirit to sanctify us if we are ever to see God’s face. The truths for which we contend as a Church do not make an appeal to the wisdom of this world, and they cannot be said to be popular in the usual acceptance of that word. But popularity is not the test of truth, nor is it to be our guide in these momentous matters. Neither are we to be deceived by the fallacy that the multitude must be right and the few wrong. Where two or three are gathered in Christ’s name there He is. We conclude our article with the beautiful words of David to Solomon, with the prayer that our young people may ever keep them in mind:—”And thou, Solomon, my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts; if thou seek Him, He will be found of thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off forever” (I. Chron. xxviii. 9).