FOREWORD xv 



pie with any greater impunity than His general 

 laws by other people. That which they sow they 

 must reap just as others do. 



The practical bearing of the discussion in the 

 following pages should be largely in the direction 

 of a different approach to the religion of children. 

 The traditional door of entrance for them into re- 

 lations with God has been through the teaching 

 that they have a sinful nature of which they must 

 be conscious and make confession, and concern- 

 ing which they must repent. It is proper here 

 for me to point out the sad consequences of that 

 teaching in my own experience. As I look back 

 upon it now I am certain that it was wholly 

 mistaken, and that my childhood was greatly 

 wronged. I say this without attaching blame to 

 any one; for all were under the dominion of a 

 theory that was unquestioned at that time, and 

 which still widely prevails. 



I grew up in a home that was Christian in a 

 very genuine sense. My father was a faithful 

 preacher of the gospel for nearly fifty years. My 

 parents' religious leading was always consistent 

 and genuine. It was not their direct solicitude 

 concerning me that caused the misdirected ef- 

 forts; but rather the influence of the religious 

 teaching heard on all hands, in pulpit and Sunday 

 school and religious gatherings. 



Very early, at most at seven years of age, I 

 wanted to commence the religious life, and pre- 



