Parents are the greatest
blessing of God. Obedience to parents deserves no explanation. It is our
duty to obey our parents, that is, to do always what they tell us to do. All
that we have is given to us by our parents - food, clothing and education. They
tend us when we are too young to do anything for ourselves.
They watch over us in time
of sickness, provide for our amusement, teach us the principles of their
religion, and guard us from evil influences. Obedience is a very simple way of
showing gratitude for these benefits. It is a way that is well within the reach
of the young infant as well as the full-grown son. It can be put into practice
easily.
Parents are not only the
providers of benefits, but are the guides of their children in all the
relations of life. There may be cases where a father and a mother prove
themselves unworthy of their children's regard; but it is usually found that
parents are as solicitous for their children's well-fare as their own.
Being adults and having
experience of the world, they are in a position to form better judgments than
their children. Therefore not only is it the duty of a child to obey his
parents, but in doing so he is consulting his best interest. Just as the boy
who would learn to read must attend to the instruction of his teacher, so those
who wish to grow up into honest and useful men must follow the dictate of their
parents. The captain, when entering a strange port, trusts to the pilot to tide
his ship safely. Our parents are our pilots. We sail in strange waters, and our
safety depends on submission to the directions of those who are more
experience. We are not always well-advised in our choice of companion. When the
time comes for us to decide what trade or profession we are to follow, when
misunderstanding and perplexities arise, then our parents step in and say that
this thing or that thing should be done; and it is our duty to obey them.
On the other hand examples
of disobedient sons and daughters are but too common in this world, and very
regrettable have often been the results of this disobedience. In former times,
among the Romans, it was considered a serious crime, and the father might, if
he was not minded punish it by death. One of the Ten Commandments given by God
to the Jews was: "Honour the fate=her and thy mother, that the days may
belong in this land which the Lord thy mother, that the days may be long in
this land which the Lord gives these." Disobedience is base ingratitude,
and one of the greatest cruelties a child can inflict upon a parent who has
toiled for years his sake, and lavished upon him all his affections, regardless
of self.
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