THE BRINGING UP OF CHILDREN

"Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." And great will be the reward which will be laid up in store for their parents. For if men who make beautiful statues and paintings of the kings receive great distinctions, how much more men and women who make out of their children beautiful images of the King of Kings. But this image must be in the virtue of the soul, when we train our children to imitate God and regard the present world as nothing. Would you not rather have your son as Samuel over and above being king of the world?

Instill into them the fear of God from their first youth, and He will put His spirit and grace into their hearts; and this will be a wall not to be broken down; for when there are divine principles implanted within, we have no need of any external ornaments. These will be to them wealth and ornament, and glory. These will make them illustrious not only upon earth, but even in heaven.

St. John Chrysostom

(12-29-03)