The Children for Christ by Andrew Murray

fearing father, and how it would waken in them the need of
watchfulness and the fear of forgetting God! Every thoughtful parent
knows how there are times and places when the temptations of sin
come more speedily, and more easily surprise even the well-disposed
child. Such are the times, both before and after a child goes into the
company and the circumstances where he may be tempted, that a
praying father and mother should do what Job did when he sent for his
sons and sanctified them. A Christian man, only lately converted, has
told of the indelible impression made by his mother taking him into
her room, just as he was in full glee to start on his first long journey
from home, and praying with him that he might be kept from sin.
Let us ask God to make us very watchful and very wise in availing
ourselves of opportunities. There are times when conscience in a child
is especially sensitive, and a word fitly spoken will sink deep into the
heart. There are times when conscience has been slighted, and when a
word or prayer will help to waken it up and restore its authority. A
parent who is in sympathy with God’s purpose as to destroying sin, and
who holds himself at God’s disposal, will be guided from on high as to
when and how to speak, to awaken and strengthen in the child the
consciousness of sin and its danger.
3. A godly parent has power with God to intercede. Job not only sent for
his children to speak — he sanctified them, through the burnt-offerings
he offered. The parent who has in baptism accepted the sign of the
sprinkling of he blood for his child, who has sprinkled the blood on the
doorposts of his home, has a right to plead that blood with God. His
faith obtains pardon for the child. And he has a right to intercede for
the grace that can save and sanctify. We have, through the whole course
of God’s dealings with parents, from Noah downwards, seen that God
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