certain results but certain qualities, as gentleness, forbearance, consideration, appreciation of the beauty of the world and devout recognition of the world unseen.

We are in no doubt whatever in our choice between Napoleon Bonaparte and Francis of Assisi as companions for our sons of twelve or fifteen years of age. We choose the saint. We choose the cheerful, tender, loving, praying and serving saint. As for results, Francis made deeper and more lasting changes in Europe than Napoleon. But in the quality of the two lives there is no comparison. In detail, we would not have our son follow either of these patterns: we would not have him either an emperor or a friar; we would not have him put upon his head either the threecornered hat of Napoleon or the cowl of Francis. But in the ordinary walks of life, in the sort of days which he is likely to live, we would be glad to have him a gentleman and a Christian. We would like to see

him growing into that fine spirit, developing that strong and delicate quality of life, and devoting himself to the general good.

But this kind of character grows most naturally in the soil of religion. The most delicious wines grow in certain vineyards. The difference between them and other wines is not in the grape-stock which is planted, nor in the process which is used in the making: it is in the ground. The same grapes treated in the same way in other soils will yield inferior results. The determining quality is in the soil. So it is with men. Children may be trained according to the same ethical processes, given the same admonition and instruction, but with diverse results according to the presence or absence of religion. When Thoreau said that the finest of arts is to improve the quality of the day, he indicated the indefinable difference which we feel between one good person and another. It is not in

conduct but in quality. Of course, the influences of religion are so subtle that they are likely to fail in many cases. The Parable of the Sower illustrates that. But when the conditions are right they produce saints.

A main factor in this accomplishment is the personality of Jesus Christ. The distinctive contribution of Christianity to the progress of the world is the life and death of Jesus Christ. The point of contact between Him and the individual is the spirit of loyalty. The most remarkable exhibition of this spirit is in the fact of martyrdom. Men and women and even children, out of pure love for Jesus Christ, have endured tortures even unto death. He has thus evoked an enthusiasm and an allegiance which surpasses immeasurably the devotion paid to other heroes. It is plain in history that there is that in Him which calls forth the entire and self-effacing devotion of the soul. And this is true in a

lesser degree in ordinary life. The spirit of loyalty which makes a child endeavor to be like some great person about whom he has heard, and which impels a child to say to himself: "I cannot do this or that because my father and mother would not like it," produces a similar allegiance of admiration and of affection to Jesus Christ. To develop such a loyalty in childhood is to render a service of inestimable value. It is to do the greatest thing that can be done for the shaping of character.

These conditions of human nature-the response to observation, the desire for knowledge and the instinct of loyalty— must be taken into account in any intelligent training of children. They are fundamental factors in the problem of moral education. The importance of religion in the solution of this problem appears in the manner in which it meets and satisfies these conditions. It is necessary to the health of the soul.

CHAPTER III

DOMESTIC THEOLOGY: I. THE BEING OF GOD

A

LL parents who are engaged aright in the welfare of their children are

called to practice not only domestic medicine but domestic theology. They are to minister both to the health of the body and to the health of the soul. In the progress of each of these ministries, occasion may arise for specialized, expert advice. When the child shows signs of serious and complicated physical disturbance, the immediate thing to do is to send for the doctor. And when the child gives evidence of serious intellectual or moral difficulty in matters of religion, which the best endeavors of the family wisdom do not satisfactorily meet, the thing to do is to call in the