Magyar Egyház, 1972 (51. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1972-04-01 / 4. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 7 MAGYAR jllotfjer’ő Bap On the second Sunday in May, not only in the United States of America, but elsewhere, throughout the free world, people remember “mothers” and set aside one day to celebrate “MOTHER’S DAY”. The week before Mother’s Day is designated by several denominations as “Christian Family Week”, when special attention is focused on the life of the family, the relationship of children and parents and the importance of Christian family life. For some time now, authors, sociologists, and other specialists have devoted considerable effort to examine the growing problems and the ever increasing troubles in connection with family living. The changes in the old fashioned peaceful and ideal family life started to be obvious after the first, but more so, after the second world war. As we have rebellions and constant strife in the world, so we have disorder and lack of unity and love in the family circle. Those who would like to point out the cause, which led to the disruption of peace and harmony in many homes often say, that the Hollywood movies have greatly contributed to the problems in the family. Films depicting the corruption and depravity in family life often set bad examples before the eyes of the young generation. Now, the situation is so out of hand, that theatres hardly show movies fit for the entertainment of a family unit. The pornography in books, films and theatres is menacing the Christian family morals with final destruction. There are very few who do not realize the crisis of the Christian family. More and more cry out that something must be done before it is too late. The clean moral life of the family must be restored if our nation would like to maintain leadership among other nations and if Christianity is to survive the onslaught of the dirt and filth poured upon children and parents alike. The slogan in churches should be: “back to God!” Back to the Holy Bible, back to the teachings of our ancestors and to the traditions of our faithful predecessors. CHURCH The military power of the legions of the Roman Empire, or the economic organization, and good roads connecting the far away provinces with Rome, and all other advantages of the system were not able to save it from destruction, when the family life and morals of Rome became decadent. The downfall of many modern families can be traced back to when men and women turned away from God. Godless parents try to educate their children, but instead of making a better world, we live now in a more confused, troubled war, crime and drug-infected world. Mothers in our modern age, in every congregation, teach your children the commandments of God. Especially carve into the flesh tablets of your little children’s heart the fifth commandment: “Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land, which the Lord Thy God giveth thee.” Mothers, parents, the responsibility is great upon your shoulders: you must teach your children to love God first and foremost, to worship Him and serve Him above all. Without the blessings of our Heavenly Father all the riches of the world, the silver and gold will be worth nothing: if there is no love for God in the hearts of parents and children. Mothers, the education of children for a good Christian life must be started early. Happy are the parents, and what a difference it makes in a family, where little children go to church with their parents, learn their prayers early and sing the hymns of praises to God. Blessed are the homes, where parents and children have family devotions and read portions of the bible every day, and lift up their prayers to Almighty God. Furthermore, mothers and parents, it is your duty to show your children good examples. Very often the diligence and conscientious training was ineffectual, because the children did not see, what they learned from the bible demonstrated in the home. Parents, do not only love God and His church with your words, but show it with your deeds. Let others see, that you are true disciples of Christ. Dear mothers, disciplining children in the family cannot be omitted! The ills of todays modem life are
