Maxie B. Boren

A close acquaintance once remarked to Samuel Coleridge, the noted Englishman of the early 19th century, about his infant son of whom he was so proud, "I don't intend to teach my son anything about God. I will let him grow up, and when he is old enough to judge for himself, he can choose whether to believe or not."

As the two men walked together, they paused at the site of Mr. Coleridge's garden. Samuel spoke, "I had thought about setting out some strawberry plants this spring, but you have given me an idea. I think I'll wait until about mid-summer and see whether the garden would prefer the strawberry plants or weeds." "But, Samuel," intervened the friend, "by then the weeds will have taken over; you can't afford to wait." Then thoughtfully, Mr. Coleridge looked his friend in the eye and replied, "Yes, you are right about that. And in like manner, so also will the weeds of doubt and unbelief take over the mind of your son in due time unless you start teaching him now that there is a God, and that Jesus is God's Son."

Why can't Christian parents seem to grasp that simple truth? . . . the time to set out the strawberry plants is before the weeds have taken over the garden area. And the time to train a child about God, about Jesus, and the way of righteousness is NOW! . . . while little minds are receptive and pliable. One of the greatest tragedies of our time is that the church, yea, Christian parents, are losing so many of our young people!

Thanks to The Voice of Truth International, Vol 4., page 76.