THE JOY OF CHILDREN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 142, 3 July 1937, Page 14

THE JOY OF CHILDREN

The problem of birth control and the limitation of families, and the refusal of some married persons to have children was the subject of a sermon preaohed in St. Mary 's Church, New Plymouth, by Archdeacon F. G. Evans, in which he discussed the matter from the higher spiritual plane and expOUnded the joy there is in the posSesSiofi of little Children in the home and the high privilege of parenthood and its Compensating joys in early and later life, and even in old age. DiSCttssing the sixbject ff om the point Of view of the happiness of the homes in which the children live and are loved, in comparison with the sad alternative where children are not wanted, Archdeacon Evans said he realised that in all homes where there were no children it was not a case of their not being •desired. There were noble men and women who would count it the greatest happiness in their lives if they eould possess little children, bnt who were denied that pTivilege. There were, however, to such persons some compensations, perhaps in the form of opportnnxties of doing SOmetbing for yOUng persons. Selflsh Excuses. It seemed quite cSrtain, however, that many young married persons definitely resolved not to have children, the reasons given being that they were too mnch trouble, and that they brought too much responsibility to patents, whose pleasures were severely restricted. At the bottom of all sueh reasons or excuses was selfishness. It was not difficult, in these days, to understand why young persons did not want laTge families, although he had known of many large families brought np most successfully on limited incomes. The archdeacon said he was not going to deal with the subject from the moral or political aspect, but he would endeavour to Teveal to those who despised children fa more excellent way." Joy in Children. The preacher then asked his hearers: Have you ever thought of the joy there is in pOssessing children! Of the love they bring with them; Srnd of the thrill of hearing your own name called by One of your own flesh and blood? The spiritual tie made between husband and wife by the advent of a child into the home was a wonderful thing in itself. It created a happiness that re-echoed the spirit of the Divine Creator when He said: "I have made man in My own image." A little child came into the world as a divine teacher and inspiration, opening the windows of the souls of his parents thtough which they cduld discover de lightful things. The spirits of little children came straight from the spirit world, bringing the grace and sweet ness Of that higher existenCe, and providing a realisation of the Fatherhood of God that eould come in no other way. ' Childless persons lOst some of the most lastings joys that hum&n beings can possibly pdsseSs. "God sends children for another purpose than merely to keep up the race," said the archdeacon, quoting from the words of Mrs. Mary Howitt, whom he called "a true mother.-" "He sends them to enlarge our hearts, to make us more unselfish and full of kindly sympathies and affectionS; to give our souls higher aims . . . to bring around the fireside bright faces and happy smiles; my soul blesses the Great Father every day that He haS gladdene.d the earth with little children. ' ' In endorsing those words, Archdeacon Evans said also he agreed with CMarles Dickens when he said: "I love these little people; and it is not a slight thing when they who are so fresh from God love us. I wduld Udt exchange my delightful experiences With my ehildren, and later With my grand-children, for any honour this world can give." The spiritual and physical influonce of Child life was emplxasised by the archdeacon, who related instances oi' children having saved their parents from sin and death. There were other things worse than death, such as infldelity, cruelty, heart - breaking neglect, words that eut and wound and eould never be forgotten; and children and often saved their parents from worse dangers. They had ever been the means of preventing parents from effecting a contemplated separatxon. It was impossible to estimate what parents owed to children, and it was well to remember what our Lord said: "Except ye be converted and become as little children (I think He meant in faith and love and forgiveness) ye eannofc enter the Kingdom of Heaven. ' ' Archdeacon Evans cited the instance from George Eliot's book, "Sila«i Marner," of the wonderful influenee of a child on the life of the bardened old miser. Honour in Old Age. In conclusion the preacher emphasised the piide and gladness brought to the hearts of parents whose children grew up to be successful and to be honoufed by their own generation. It was not only to the young parents that happiness came with the advent of children. If children grew txp well that gladness was increased as parents grew older. In those years the love and affection of children became an even more valued possession than in younger days.

The command of the Creator of mankind was to 1 'Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth." It was a serious thought that, by refusal of so many persons in the Dominion to fulfil that command the eoiintry Wotild not be settled With a sufficient population, by natiiral inerease, for at least 100 years. "It Should flot be a matter of surprise, therefore," said tlie archdeacon "if a wiser and more vii'ile raee came to oust us from these beautiful islands we have Tefused to oecupy; and through you who hear me I point out to all young people, and to all I can influenee in New Zealand, a 'xuore excellaat way.' "