From the Adults! The greatest treasure this world has is its children. Potential that defies the imagination resides in these little ones. That potential will be either for good or evil. It is within the scope of our ability to determine and establish that the potential be good. However, it is a fatal mistake to think that it will be good just because we want it to be. There are forces at work which intend to assure that it is evil. And, these forces will stop at nothing to achieve their purposes. That which is upright, honest, truthful, virtuous, noble, honorable, respectable, just and fair will not so much as be considered in the pursuit of evil. The beauty and innocence of our children will not even stop the rush toward wickedness. In fact, it is becoming increasingly evident that worldly minds are willing to sacrifice even our precious children to establish their goals.

It will shock you to hear this, if you haven't heard it already, but let me illustrate what I mean. The Akron Beacon Journal (11/8/85), reported that "the Dutch government has proposed lowering the age of sexual consent from 16 to 12 years." This legislation is to be presented to Parliament in February. If adopted, "it would be legal for adults to have sex with minors as young as 12, pro vided the minor had not been coerced or seduced with gifts or promises," according to a Justice Ministry spokeswoman. Ans Koning, a spokeswoman for those who back this bill, said "adults who have sexual relations with youths should not be branded as criminals as long as they refrain from coercion. . . . This does not belong in criminal law."

Thus, the Dutch government will have to decide whether a child of 12 is capable of deciding if he will become sexually active or not. I think a better thing for Parliament to consider is whether or not those who introduce such a ridiculous proposal have the mental capacity to be a part of a ruling body for a nation. Those who would introduce such an absurd law either do not know the mental capacity of 12-year old children, do not care what happens to them, or they are so committed to the cause of evil that the stop at nothing to achieve their purposes. In any case, they must be stopped! Child abuse must be stopped, whether is comes from some beastly, alcoholic, drugusing parent, or from legislators who would turn rapists loose on innocent, unsuspecting children. If adults are going to be turned loose on 12-yearolds, why not on those who are 10 or 8? Are people so stupid that they think a 12-year-old can evaluate all the consequences of the sex act? If so, the world is in worse shape than we thought.

On one occasion Jesus called a little child unto Him and, setting the child before His disciples, taught them some lessons they need to learn - lessons illustrated by the innocency and humility of the child. This is what He said about those who harm and abuse children: "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him -that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea" (Matt. 18:6). It is better for a man to be killed than for him to deliberately cause harm and injury to an innocent child - to cause that child to go astray so that it is in jeopardy in God's sight. It is hard to imagine the depravity of mind in one who would cause, or permit to be caused, such a thing to happen.

Children are presented to parents who are expected by God to love and cherish them, bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). Providing all of their needs - mentally, socially, morally, economically and spiritually - is the burden of their parents. No parent is what God wants him to be who neglects this responsibility (I Tim. 5:8). As a matter of fact, that passage says that one is worse than an infidel if he fails to make those provisions. Too many parents are A.W.O.L. where their children are concerned. One of the saddest commentaries on our times is that parents not only fail to protect their children from harm and need, but, frequently, they are the source of that harm.

I was just thinkin', that many of us would be in censed if one of our Senators or Congressman introduced such a bill in Washington. We would be appalled that trusted representatives would at tempt to foist such evil upon our children - and rightfully so. However, I wonder how many of us, as parents, are working diligently in teaching, training and in disciplining our children in that which is good. Do we find the time to read God's word to and with them? Do we pray with them regularly? Do we try with all our might to see that they are in Bible classes and have their lessons and pay attention to the study of God's Word? Or, are we careless and indifferent toward their needs? If some politician should succeed in passing legislation such as that discussed herein, would your child know enough to see evil in such an idea? If not, we should all be praying, "Lord, protect our children from us and from all who would do them harm!"

Guardian of Truth XXX: 2, p. 38
January 16, 1986