Suggest to the children (or better still select one or have them select one) to procure for next Sunday some weeds that grow by the wayside and also a few cut flowers or potted plants.
After "driving home" from church and after putting the horses away, which little action gives the children a few moments' diversion, then other methods contained in the chapter of "Suggestions to Parents" can be selected according to the age, intelligence and interest of the children. After this, refreshments or whatever is best suited to the thought of the parents and the conditions of the household may be introduced.
WAYSIDE WEEDS AND GARDEN FLOWERS.
NEGLECTED VERSUS CHRISTIAN CHILDREN.
Suggestions To Parents:—The objects to be used to-day are a bouquet of flowers or some potted plants and a bunch of weeds that grow by the wayside. These will illustrate the difference between neglected, untaught and undisciplined children, and the children of a well trained household. Make the lesson impressive, so that the children will appreciate that the restrictions and discipline which are imposed upon them are all for their own good—that without these careful attentions they would grow up like the children in the slums. The neglected character of the clothing of undisciplined and uncared for children is only indicative of the minds and hearts and character of these children.
Arrange the chairs, "drive to church"; let the ushers show the different real or imaginary persons to seats. Then let the hymn, prayer or "opening service" precede the "preaching" of the object sermon of last Sunday or the regular sermon at the morning church service by one or more of the children, after which a hymn may be sung, and the parent gather the children close so they can see the pictures, and read the following sermon on "Wayside Weeds and Garden Flowers." During the reading, or before, or after, let the children gain the impressive lessons from the colored picture which so beautifully illustrates the sermon.
