The Silent Influence In Parental Conduct (and others)

The Silent Influence In Parental Conduct (and others)

Parents have a great power of influence over the minds and hearts of their children. Their children are almost continually with them - they are seen by them in nearly all they do, in their habitual conduct, and character at home. They are heard in what they say; seen in what they do; studied in all their behavior; by little ears, and eyes, and minds, which are scarcely ever closed!

The child's heart is soft and pliable to a father's or a mother's influence. Their constant influence has been molding him from the dawn of reason. What, then, ought to be the parents' behavior at home? The whole cultivation, and direction, and management of a child's mind, from the very dawn of reason, should be carried on with special reference to the formation of Christian character. This should be the one thing, to which all other things should be subordination.

The silent influence in parental conduct is far greater, either for good or for evil, than most parents are aware of. They teach by what they say, they influence by what they do; and also by what they do not say, and do not perform.

The pious parents, who embody a meek, benevolent, ardent, and consistent godliness in their character, exert a tremendous influence over the minds of their children!

But oh! the dreadful contrast in the case of those parents who are characterized by ungodly dispositions, worldly associations, mirthful and extravagant living, trifling conversation, and lack of all seriousness and spirituality.

Oh! what can be expected from such parents - but children who regard their religion with disgust?

Every man is best known at home. Parents are ever doing something to prejudice their children in favor of true religion - or to prejudice them against it; doing something to draw them into the church - or to drive them into the world; lending a helping hand to lead them to heaven - or taking them by the hand and leading them to hell!

Parents! Must you employ your influence in ruining the souls of your children - and sending them to perdition? Oh! tremble at the interview you must have with them at the day of judgment, and the dialog you must hold with them forever in the bottomless pit!

~John Angell James~
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Eminent Piety

Eminence in piety signifies our having all the parts of the Christian character in considerable strength, and in attractive proportions.

Eminent piety is always accompanied by a large measure of spiritual affections; a struggle for universal holiness; a desire and endeavor for purity of heart; a prevailing taste for divine and heavenly things; a walking with God; a living by faith; a setting our affections on things above; a being dead to the world; a mortification of sin in the heart; a proneness to devout meditation; a delight to hold communion with God; a fondness for the Scriptures; a large portion of love to the brethren; an inflexible integrity; a liberality for the cause of Christ; an ardent love of biblical ordinances; an enjoyment of the peace that passes understanding; a frequent experience of spiritual joy; an exquisite tenderness of conscience; a mind which trembles at sin; a constant penitential frame for our many imperfections; a holy watchfulness against sins ....of the life, of the tongue, of the imagination and of the heart!

Piety is not an abstract system of doctrine and ethics. It is a constant movement of the heart, to the splendor and attraction of the Cross of Christ!

Love to Christ is the spring of all Christian piety!

This is eminent piety - to be always in sight of the Cross, having fellowship with Christ; so that we shall truly comprehend the meaning and feel the force of the Apostle's words, "for me to live is Christ!"

~John Angell James~