Chapter 1
CHILDREN
THE Aldens and Rogers were neighbors, both descendants of the early settlers of New England. Their forebears had fled from religious persecution that persisted in England and the Continent, and found a place on the American Continent where they might exercise freedom of conscience, freedom of speech, and freedom to worship ALMIGHTY GOD according to the dictates of their own conscience.
Joseph Alden was educated for the law, at which he practiced for a time. Having a strong yearning for the freedom of the wide-open country, he emigrated west, where he became a large landowner. He farmed,
and his herds and flocks were numerous. His wife was mentally brilliant, physically strong, and a real helpmate. They builded a home in the West and left the latchstring on the outside, and that home became a place of rest and genuine hospitality. Their eldest son they named John, probably having in mind the meaning of his name.
David Rogers, with his young wife Lois, had located in the neighborhood of the Aldens. Rogers had acquired a tract of land in that vicinity and decided to leave his business in the East and become a farmer in the West, where his children might be reared to a better advantage. His wife Lois was a teacher and was well equipped to train their children. Among their five children was a daughter named Eunice, next to the youngest. Of the five children there were three boys and two girls. It was a well-trained and happy family.
The Alden and Rogers families not only were neighbors but became fast friends. Their children played together and attended school together, and visited frequently at each other's homes. Both families were Christians, as that term is generally understood, but they were not bound by any denominational church ties. The elders of the family had observed so much formalism and hypocrisy in the church denominations that they were glad to rear their children free from such influence. They believed in God
and Christ Jesus, and they had a sincere desire to bring up their children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord". — Ephesians 6:4.
That obligation they attempted to shoulder and bear faithfully. The parents instructed their children in their respective homes, and at stated times the two families met together and with their children participated in a study of the Bible and endeavored to instill in the young minds the fear of God and a devotion to Him. They frequently, together, joined in the prayer which Jesus had taught his disciples: 'Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as in heaven.' (Matthew 6:10) The children of the two families were examples for good to other children who attended the day schools.
John Alden had reached the age of sixteen years. Eunice Rogers was fourteen years of age. Both had completed the study course in the country public school. They must receive further education. John was sent away to college. Eunice entered a seminary for young ladies. A four-year course of study had been planned for each one of them. Meeting together on a Sunday afternoon just preceding their departure for their respective places of education John said to Eunice: "We shall see little of each other for the next four years, but we shall not forget each other. I shall endeavor to make good use of the time to improve my
mind as well as my body, and I know that you will do likewise. I shall look forward to seeing you at vacation times"; to all of which Eunice agreed.
Four Years Later
It was a Sunday afternoon at the Alden home. The family had met, according to their custom, for the weekly Bible study together. It was vacation time and the children were at home. In fact it was a day of reunion of the two families and a time of happiness unrestrained. The elders and the children exhibited the same dignity and solemnity which always marked that home, yet their faces were beaming with joy and the speech was pleasing. On this occasion Joseph Alden presided at the study, in which all present participated.
Four years had brought a change in all of them. The parents had grown older, and the children likewise had changed in appearance. There was young John Alden, strong and vigorous, a young man, six feet in height, and with a muscular rhythm peculiar to athletes; a young man clear of vision, and keen of mind, and with an open and honest countenance. He was redheaded ; which he had inherited from his mother. He was very respectful and honored his father and mother, and in this he had not changed from the time of his early youth.
Eunice Rogers was now eighteen and had developed into womanhood of rare beauty. Not only was she beautiful in form, but she was beautiful in her deportment and speech, with dark-brown hair and eyes to match. Clothed in plain and tasteful garments, she was graceful in her every movement, and a delight to those that associated with her. She sat beside her mother during the study. John's eyes frequently turned toward her. Who could condemn him for doing so?
The family study being concluded, John and Eunice went for a long stroll over the wide acres. The time was that beautiful season of the year when the fields were green and the flowers blooming. The air was filled with sweet perfume from the numerous wild roses. The sun shone brightly and the songbirds sung to the glory of the Creator, and apparently they were serenading the young man and the girl who walked by his side. Being just fresh from school, they talked about the commencement exercises and of the diplomas that had been given to the graduates; and that opened the way for discussion of their future activities.
Said John: "True, I am graduated now, but that means but little unless I continue to make progress. The ceremony called 'commencement' is really indicative of the beginning of one's course in life. If one becomes negligent and indifferent he makes no progress and amounts to nothing. If he employs
his time and his faculties in the right way he may meet with success and with many attending blessings. Our experience at school is really a means of learning how to study, and from the time of graduation onward one must continue to apply himself diligently to the course he elects to pursue during the remainder of his life. You have asked me, Eunice, what I shall do, what profession I expect to follow, or in what business I shall engage. That matter I will discuss with my father and then decide. The cities have no real attraction for me. What is generally called 'society' appears to me to be entirely empty and means nothing. As to politics, that has become so involved that an honest man must shun it. The fact is, I love these broad fields and the things they contain. The great Creator put them here. They are the handiwork of the Almighty, as our lesson this morning told us. Here we breathe the pure air, eat pure food, indulge in purity of speech, and our friends are sincere. Both of us have grown up in this environment, and I should be loath to leave it. What think you, my childhood companion?"
"Why limit the companionship to childhood'?" said Eunice. "True, we have seen little of each other during the past four years, but I dare say that those four years have been well spent, and now we are again together in the land we love, together at least for a time. You mention your father,
John, in such terms of high esteem and your mother with gracious words. That pleases me. They are both noble characters. Many times during my studies of American and English history my mind reverted to the sturdy and faithful men and women who braved the storms of the seas, settled on the cold and bleak shores of New England, and there began the laying of the foundation of a great nation. You know that both my ancestors and yours were among those dear souls. They had respect for law and order, feared and served Almighty God, and loved righteousness. Our parents have inherited these good qualities and have tried to instill them in us. I see them in you, John. May I suggest that you consider well and sincerely before entering the turmoil of the cities. There are many good things to be accomplished in this part of the earth, and you possess the qualifications to accomplish them.
"Is there anything in a name? I think so, if we go to the right source for our information and learning. May I be permitted to suggest, John, that when your parents gave you the name 'John' they must have done so with reverential hearts and with a hope that you would have everything the name implies. As you know, John, your name means 'Jehovah hath been gracious'. Surely the almighty Creator, Jehovah, has been very gracious to you. He has given you
a kind, firm and loving father and a devoted mother, and they have reared you properly. He has given you a strong body and a clear mind. He has given you an appreciation of His creation, and this I observe you now appreciate. Otherwise you would not speak as you do of the beauties of this land."
"Eunice, you speak with words of grace. Such become you. I perceive that the silly twaddle so manifest by many girls and boys has not turned your head. You have not departed from your early training. And now permit me to say that your name befits you. Your name 'Eunice' means 'Blessed with victory'. For four years you have been closely associated with those who are given over to the lighter things of life. We both can well bear testimony to the fact that the schools for both men and women instill into the mind of the pupil the theory of evolution of the human race, substituting that tradition proclaimed by such men as Darwin for the sure Word of Almighty God. You have withstood that seductive influence and have disregarded the sneers and reproaches that have fallen upon you and to which all persons who manifest their belief in the inspired Scriptures are subjected. I noted at the study this morning that you still firmly hold to the early teachings we have received from our parents in our homes. You have withstood the influence
of the modern educators, who would turn young men and young women away from the early instruction of their parents. Truly, then, you have been and are 'Blessed with victory'.
"I am reminded of even a better and more appropriate meaning of the name Eunice, which it is your good fortune to bear. You will readily recognize the source of my information. What you have said, and what I know of you, well proves that the meaning of the name fits you. You have told me that you were required to attend religious service while at the seminary; that the congregational meetings, and the Sunday morning service in particular, were a dress parade having the earmarks of a social gathering; that the minister seldom mentioned the Bible and never made any attempt to explain it, but talked chiefly of evolution, politics and social problems, quoting liberally from books of worldly writers, and that the entire tendency was to discredit the Bible. Well do I understand and appreciate what you have told me. A like condition exists at all colleges, I believe. Such were the conditions at the college where I have been attending for the past four years. Almost all of the professors, including the ecclesiastical instructors, are higher critics and rely on science and the wisdom of men to lead them to higher things, but I observe that they do not reach great heights."
"Yes, John, often have I propounded to myself the question: Why should a man call himself a minister or a doctor of divinity, claiming to be a servant of God, and never attempting even to instruct the people as to the meaning of the Scriptures? Probably it is because he does not understand the Scriptures himself; but he should not pretend to teach them. The minister at the seminary appeared to be quite popular with almost all who attended his church meetings, and the attendants of his social gatherings spoke many flattering words about him and to him; but I must say that often I have felt so out of place at those so-called 'church services and social gatherings' that I have wanted to run away that I might be alone and meditate upon what our parents have taught us in our homes. From what I have learned it appears that the seminaries and colleges have practically forgotten God, and this includes the ministers and theological teachers. As a result of such teaching almost all of the students have become agnostics or infidels."
"In all those religious services you found no satisfaction, I am sure, Eunice. Your mind has constantly been turned to what you learned at home concerning God, and to that you have held firmly. Now, Eunice, I mention the deeper and better meaning of your name. There was a young man who sat at the feet of the apostle Paul and
learned of him concerning God and Christ Jesus. Paul was very fond of this young man and frequently addressed him in loving terms. The mother of that young man was named Eunice, and Paul referred to her as a woman of 'unfeigned faith'. You are just like that. Your faith is real and genuine, and you have firmly held to that faith in spite of all the contrary influence that has been about you. I am glad that my childhood companion has not forgotten her early training, and that she has not departed from the instruction received in her early youth."
To that complimentary speech Eunice did not reply. The two walked on together and for some time were silent, evidently meditating upon serious matters. Then, speaking, Eunice said: "John, see yonder great oak tree, under the boughs of which we so often played together when we were quite young. That spot is dear to my heart and I am sure it is likewise dear to you. There is a convenient log there where we have often played together. Let us sit there now and talk over matters. There is in my mind a weighty matter that only you can remove. Let us sit here awhile and renew our acquaintance with this lovely scenery, while I tell you what I have in mind. We have been apart from each other for nearly four years, and in that four years there has been a constant prayer in my heart concerning
both of us, and which is represented in the word 'Mizpah', the meaning of which we learned when young, and which now we well know: 'The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.' — Genesis 31: 49."
Seated under the spreading boughs of that great oak they engaged in a long conversation. Necessarily it was a private talk and too sacred, no doubt, to be repeated, even if the full text thereof were known. When they arose to resume their walk their faces were serious, but radiant. A solemn covenant had been made between them.
As they walked John interrupted the silent meditations. The birds were filling the air with song, and all nature seemed to be rejoicing. "Eunice, this place seems more beautiful to me on this June day than ever before. I am delighted to be here. Father has suggested that I take some time to recuperate before definitely deciding my future course. Together we have considered several things which I might do. Father thinks it might be well for me to take a post-graduate course and then a course at law. But he often concludes his remarks with something like this: 'I would like that you might be here with me and take charge of these fields and flocks. Some day it must be you to whom I would wish to leave this land. Decide not in haste, my son. You may
even wait until the autumn season before making your decision.'
"And now, Eunice, seeing that I shall have many days with no pressing duties to meet I have in mind that which I would like to propose to you. During the past four years our attention has been given chiefly to our duties at school. That done, we now have other important things to consider. I would like to devote some of the time during the months that immediately follow to our studies together. I have come into possession of a number of books, all published by the same publishing society, which claim to be of great aid in the study of the Bible. We have both studied the Bible some, but
there is much for us to learn. I know that the fundamental law of the nation is based upon the law of Almighty God, as set forth in the Bible. The early writers in the law referred to God's law as supreme, and I am sure that is right. The Bible contains the statement of God's law, a record of the prophecies and of the teachings of Jesus and his faithful apostles. In our home study, which I have so much missed during our stay at school, we learned much, and I would like to continue our studies. We are now better equipped to make a personal examination and study, and that with profit to ourselves. We might take the books that I mentioned, which will be an aid to us, at least to locate in the Bible the texts relating to the subject matter under consideration, and with these books together with the Bible we can learn much more. Suppose we spend an hour or more each day in this study, and I feel sure this will be profitable for both of us. You would be pleased to join me in such a study of the Bible?"
"John, since I am to be the mother of your children, what could be of so great importance to us as a knowledge of the Bible and how children should be reared? I shall be more than delighted to join you in that study. We should be able to learn from the Word of God our duties as parents and our obligation toward our children. Well do I remember the proverb, which I have heard
so often repeated by our parents: 'Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.' (Proverbs 22: 6) Another scripture text I recall, which is addressed to parents concerning their children: 'Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.' (Ephesians 6:4) Surely we must gain this proper information before we shall know how to teach our children."
The two agreed to immediately begin the study of the Bible and to set down in their notebooks the many truths that they learned. What appears in the chapters that follow are in substance the truths that they learned.
