02 - Chapter 2
CHAPTER II SEASONS OF THE SOUL There was a large attendance at the midweek meeting. The church officers had invited by letters and by telephone many members who did not ordinarily attend.
Mr. Richards, the Sunday school superintendent, had personally invited every one of his officers and teachers.
Mr. Witter, president of the young people’s society, had enlisted the interest of all his officers and a large number of young people. There was a spirit of expectancy.
After a brief period of worship during which it seemed as if God’s Spirit was indeed present with his people, the pastor told the story of the last meeting of the advisory board, and that he had been asked to give the whole church the results of his studies and experiences in the spiritual laws governing the unfolding life of boys and girls and young people. He spoke as follows:
“ There are definite Seasons of the Soul just as truly as there are seasons of the year. The farmer or the gardener who disregards the seasons will never succeed.
There is a time to plow and a time to sow, a time to cultivate and a time to reap. If, for instance, a man disregards these seasons and puts his own ideas ahead of God’s laws in nature, he will fail. If a farmer works behind God in his seasons he may work very hard, but his harvest will be small. I once knew a farmer who worked from early morning until late at night. His farm was naturally a fertile one, but he was always about a month behind with his work. When others were tapping their sugar-bush, he was getting out his winter’s wood; when they were plowing he was tapping his sugar-bush; when they were sowing he was beginning to plow. The result was, that, though he worked hard and though his farm was fertile, he failed because he ignored God’s seasons.
Because of this his crops did not get good root before the drouth of summer; or if they escaped a drouth, an early frost would catch them. Only occasionally would he have a good harvest.
“ Thus it has been with much evangelistic effort. God intends that we should win people in their youth. Then their hearts are tender and sensitive. Then they are religious and often ready and eager for entrance into the spiritual life. But we let the springtime of life pass, and then try by some great effort to create religious impressions and win to Christ. We work hard, we spend thousands of dollars, and, at the best, get disappointingly small returns. The reason is very apparent. We have waited too long. We let the springtime of life go by and then try by our own supreme efforts to make up for our delay. That which we should do is to work with God in his seasons. Then shall we have a golden harvest of precious souls.
Many Children Become Christians
“ Out of my own experience, I have known for a long time that God does save boys and girls. From my study of the Bible, I learn that Samuel heard God call him when a little child; that Jesus had a wonderful religious awakening when he was twelve years old, and that Timothy knew the Scriptures from his mother and grandmother even from early childhood. My observation of revival services shows that many children and young people respond to the appeal of the evangelist. A Survey of Sunday School Officers and Teachers
“ I have made a survey of the officers and teachers in thirty-four Sunday schools. I chose typical schoolslarge and small; foreign-speaking and English; some in the city and others in the country; some colored and others white. You will all agree that the Sunday school officers and teachers are usually the very best people in the churches, the very heart of the spiritual life. I found this most significant fact, that sixtypercent, of them accepted Christ and became members of the church before their thirteenth birthday. Whenever any one tells you that boys and girls ’ do not know what they are doing ’ and ’ will not hold out/ remind them that the majority of Sunday school officers and teachers accepted Christ when they were very young and that they have continued in the Christian way and have grown in the Christian life. I found also from this survey that around the fifteenth year a large number accepted Christ, and many, who had become Christians earlier, took an advance step in their Christian life. I found that a smaller number, and yet quite a good many, became Christians around their nineteenth year, and that only one out of ten ever became Christians after they had passed their twentieth year.“ Dr. F. F. Peterson, the Director of Religious Education for the Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, has had a remarkable experience in securing decisions for Christ in Sunday schools. He has the complete records of thirteen hundred thirty-nine (1339) decisions. In his work he has followed through a series of years each person who has made a decision. It is significant to note that seventy-eightpercent, of these decisions are between the ages of ten and sixteen. His conclusion is this:
Win for Christ in the Grammar School.
Secure Life Service Decisions in the High School.
Train for Life Service in College.
The Fourfold Life.
“ These facts have powerfully influenced my thinking and study on this whole question of the religious life of youth. I find that the religious development of youth is very closely identified with the physical, social, and intellectual expansion of life. In other words, that the statement of the development of Jesus is absolutely correct, when it is said of him ’ that he advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man/ God’s plan calls for the development of the fourfold life mental (in wisdom), physical (in stature), religious (in favor with God), social (in favor with man). Now for us to wait until man has reached his full development in body, in mind, and socially before introducing the spiritual is fundamentally wrong.
Development not Uniform. “Again our study of the developing life shows that life does not go steadily up, nor steadily down. All life is in rhythm. It is like the rise and fall of the tide. There are periods in youth when the soul is more sensitive than others. These periods are quite well defined. Of course, every single child does not fit arbitrarily into any scheme. Some children develop early, some late, and some never go beyond a ten- or twelve-year stage of development. Girls usually develop faster than boys, so that a fourteen-year-old girl is quite likely to be two years older than a boy of corresponding age.
Periods of Religious Interest
“The periods of youth when the soul is most sensitive to the voice of God, are: (1) About nine or ten years of age; (2) about twelve or thirteen; (3) about fifteen or sixteen; (4) about eighteen or nineteen. At these high points we do not have to create religious interest, it is already there. We simply recognize it and make our approach and develop our program accordingly. The problem is not to get our young people to think about the questions of personal religion, for these they realize; but so to direct their thinking that it shall result in habits of life and in personal allegiances that shall forever tie the life to Christ. The Nine Year Old
“ The child who has good home training, where there is a natural and loving Christian atmosphere, and who has had the advantage of a good, well-graded, spiritual Sunday school, very often makes a simple definite decision for Christ around the ninth or tenth year. This should never be forced, but when it comes simply and naturally should be treasured. It is like the first flowers of spring, blossoming on a warm sunny bank. The Twelve Year Old
“ The next point of deep interest is around the twelfth year. Indeed, every boy and girl around the twelfth year is deeply religious. They have that religious interest which makes it easy to win to Christ and his way of living. This is the golden hour for all religious workers. Was not Jesus twelve years old when he went up to the temple? A boy was right and genuine when he came before a board of deacons with this statement: ’When Jesus was twelve years old he made up his mind to help God. I am twelve years old. I have made up my mind to help God.’
“ There are many parents who do not understand and are as puzzled as was Mary over the religious interest of their boy or their girl. So too there are many religious teachers like Eli who have lost their sensitive heart and do not perceive that God is calling the child. It took three visits of the boy Samuel to Eli before the old teacher perceived that Jehovah was calling. The boy’s heart was three times as sensitive to religious impressions as that of the old man. It was so then. It has always been that way. It is true today. But Samuel with the sensitive heart needed an Eli to explain to him that it was God. Twice fortunate is the boy or the girl, twelve years old, who, hearing the voice of God, has a father or mother, a Sunday school teacher or a pastor, to explain that it is God who is calling.
Christianising the Body. “ There is a reason why God touches, the child’s heart with religious interest at this time. The boy or the girl soon passes from boyhood to manhood, from girlhood to womanhood. It is a time of great expansion of life. A time when there is growth of body, of mind and of soul a time when the forces of evil are strong a time of storm and stress. Soon the boy comes into possession of a grown-up body with all the powers and passions of an adult. These emotions are not understood, these powers are not yet under control. It is the time in a boy’s or girl’s life least understood, and yet a time when true friendship, understanding, love, and patience are needed as never before. This is a time when the ideals of Jesus, the strength of God, and the purifying influence of religion and home are needed. So God lets the soul expand before the body begins its rapid growth. As the first sign of expanding life comes this religious interest.
“Parents and teachers, do you not see God’s wonderful plan? It is as plain as A B C. God gives every boy and girl this religious awakening just before the physical awakening because he wants to Christianise the body. He wants that boy and that girl to have a body that shall, indeed, be a temple of the Holy Spirit. He wants the physical habits of life Christian. If we were doing our work, in our homes and in our church, as we ought to do it, we would win all our boys and girls in this wonderful period of soul-expansion. I once visited a mother whose boy of twelve had accepted Jesus as his personal Saviour and who wanted to join our church.
She refused to give her permission, saying that he was too young and did not know what he was doing. I explained to her God’s wonderful plan and provision for safeguarding the health and virtue of her son. When I had finished she wiped her tears and said: ’ My boy can go into the church. I did not know this wonderful truth.
How near I came to blocking God in his plan for my boy.
Pastor, I can never thank you enough.’
“ There is a law of life that an instinct when it first develops, if not used, dies. If used, it becomes a habit and a permanent part of life. So this religious awakening, if not used, dies. If used, it develops into a beautiful Christian life. The most powerful appeal to a twelveyear-old boy is this: ’Jack, accept Jesus as your own personal Saviour and Lord. This is the right thing for you to do.’
“ Notice that this religious interest around the twelfth year is usually followed by a period of temporary religious decline. There is a reason for this. If we ask, ’What is God doing to our boys and girls during the ages thirteen and fourteen?’ it is very evident. He is concerned during this period most of all in the physical, in giving them a body with all its powers and functions.
Religion, social life, and school all take second place to God’s primary object. If, therefore, we are to work with God we will be concerned most of all that our boys and girls get good, strong, clean, healthy bodies, the laws of which they know and the powers and passions of which they fully control. We must not force our boys and girls in their schooling. What good is first place in the class with a weakened body? We will not force social life and make it unnatural and distasteful. We will not force religion until youth revolts. Rather will we work with God in his processes and wait patiently until the religious life again comes to the front. Every boy and girl, in this period needs strong, wholesome Christian leadership. They are interested in religion, but religion is not the primary interest. The Fifteenth Year The next period of deep religious interest is around the fifteenth or sixteenth year. From my study and from my own experience and from my wide observation, I have come to the profound conviction that every young man and young woman around the fifteenth or sixteenth year is genuinely religious. It may not be evident to the careless observer or to the unsympathetic heart, for it may not take the form prescribed by adults for religious experience. Only those who know and love young people may ever find it, but it is there awaiting discovery and development. The Social Awakening. “There is a reason for this religious awakening as surely as there was in the earlier period, but it is not the same reason. The physical is no longer the dominant factor in life. The body with its functions is now fairly well established. It is true that there will be slow growth for several years. But the physical is not the thing in which God is most interested during this time. Following the physical development is the period of social awakening. The boy who did not care whether his shoes were blacked or his face washed, now spends much time combing his hair, polishing his shoes, and with his personal appearance. Why? The girl who would have nothing to do with the rough, horrid boys now spends much time before the looking-glass and over her clothes. Why? John has discovered Mary, and Mary is delighted with the discovery. In other words, the boys are greatly interested in the girls and the girls in the boys. If any one doubts this let him listen to the conversation of high school students.
Life Choices Made Early. “ Just before this social awakening and accompanying it there is a decided religious interest. This interest does not need to be created; it is already there to be used and developed. This is the time when many conversions occur. This is the period when those who began the Christian life at an earlier age often reconsecrate themselves and take a forward step for Christ. This is the age when sympathies are broadened and love and altruism waken. This is the time when life’s choices are often made.
Christianising the Social Order. “ The reason for this religious interest is just as apparent as in the earlier periods, but the reason is not the same. God is now interested in developing the social life; in teaching young people to live* together. Accordingly he puts the religious interest into this new experience for the purpose of Christianizing the social order. He wants young people to learn to live together in the Christian way. God wants their social habits Christian. Young people are lovers of pleasure, but chiefly pleasure where young men and young women are together. There are great possibilities for good in this. There are infinite possibilities for evil.
God has put the religious interest prominent. If this interest is used and conserved, young people develop Christian habits of social life. If neglected, this religious interest dies, and we have a social order uncontrolled by the highest and best in human life, a condition where selfishness rules and ruins the lives of men. A Period for Reconsecration. “If we have failed to win for Christ in the earlier period, we have this second golden opportunity. This is the time of all times to secure decisions for Christ. If a boy or girl has accepted Christ earlier this is the time for reconsecration and an advance step in Christian living. In this period occur most decisions for the ministry, teaching, and missionary work and many other vocations worth while.
Three Natural Approaches to This Age. “ There are three natural approaches to a young man or young woman in this period of social awakening: (1) The social appeal. Groups will come together, a whole class of young men or of young women. Two friends will come together. A young man will bring his chum or his lady friend. A young woman will bring her chums or her best friend. We have no right to say, ’ These young people came because some one else did/ That is the way God works, and we should work with him. (2) The emotional appeal. Most emotional conversions occur at this time. The heart is easily touched. This is the emotional period of life. The will is easily influenced through the emotions. All of us are governed more by our sentiments than by cold facts, but this is most characteristic of young people. Let us not think, however, that fear and tears are the only signs of emotion. Love is the deepest emotion. This is the time to ’ love ’ people into the kingdom.
’ Isn’t it wonderful/ said a Christian worker, * to love people into the kingdom?’ (3) The appeal to the ideal and heroic. Every young man and young woman is an idealist. They see things in the large. They believe this old world can be made better and happier. They believe they can improve upon the past. They believe that they can help to make it a better world. This, therefore, is the time to present Jesus the world’s idealist his program and his challenge. Young people have always responded to it, and they always will. This is God’s hour of idealism. At Eighteen
“The next period of religious interest comes about the eighteenth or nineteenth year. Here again there is a change of emphasis. The physical body is at its highest stage of development, and is functioning as a good machine. The first period of social awakening and interest has passed. Not the physical nor the social is dominant, but the intellectual. Our young men and young women are in college or professional schools or just beginning business for themselves. They are working hard to make good. With this awakening of intellectual interest comes a religious interest. It may take the form of questions, doubts, or even open criticism. These are only signs. Our young people are beginning to interpret religion in terms of the intellect. The reason is very apparent. God wants the brain power of the world Christian. God would have the intellectual habits and attitudes Christian. Religion must stand the test of the intellect and of practical living. Our young people inquirey ’ Is the Christian religion reasonable and is it practical? ’
Personal Interview Method. “ It is very evident that we must help our young people think things through for themselves and find their religion both reasonable and a practical help in their every-day life. It is quite evident that this is no time to force a decision nor for an emotional appeal. The personal interview method is best.
Encourage young people to ask questions. Let them form their own conclusions. It is also evident that religion must be tried, not only by intellectual processes, but in practical every-day experience. We must by all means give our young people something to do so that they may have the joy of service and actually see the working power of Christianity in the lives and conduct of people.
Jesus said, ’ If a man wills to do he shall know.’
“ These are the Seasons of the Soul in the period of youth. There are other points of awakened religious interest throughout life, such as when the first baby is borri; when death comes into the home; when a child makes a personal decision for Christ or for Christian service; or in the time of some gracious revival period, but never again will there be the opportunities for Christianizing the whole life as in youth. The reason for this is very apparent. If the body grows and all of its habits are uncontrolled by Christian motives; if the social awakening comes and one’s closest friends are not Christians and one’s social living is not Christian; if intellectual habits and attitudes are not Christian, then to win a person to Christ and the Christian way of living involves a revolutionary process, which must break through established physical, social, and intellectual habits and make a new creature in Christ Jesus. Thank God, this can be done. The grace of God is strong enough to remake a man. Many a redeemed one has testified to the saving power of God.
“ How much better it is to work with God in the constructive years of life, winning to Christ in youth, developing Christian habits of physical living, the Christian way of living together, and Christian habits and attitudes of mind. When a man comes to maturity with such a development, he has a Christian character that will stand and that will powerfully influence for good his day and generation. If we are wise we will work with God in his seasons. Then shall men develop Christian minds in Christian bodies and live together in the Christian way.”
TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION 1. When did you accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour?
Under what circumstances?
2. What person had a helpful influence over your life?
What was there about this one that made this impression on you?
3. Do you remember any period of religious interest about your tenth year?
4. In what way did your young people’s society help to develop you?
5. Did you have a period of questioning or doubt? At what age? What caused it? What gave you assurance?
6. Make a program of religious activities for youth, keeping in mind the physical, social, and intellectual periods of life.
7. Make a list of good books for young people to read.
8. Make a list of physical habits that a Christian lad should develop.
9. Make a list of social qualities that should be developed in Christian young people.
10. Make a list of mental habits and attitudes for Christian young people.
11. What courses of study would you outline for young people?
12. Check up the Seasons of the Soul by making a personal survey of Christian people that you know.
13. How can we best help young men and women make right life choices?
REFERENCES “The Pupil,” Weigle.
“ The Unfolding Life,” Lamoreaux.
“ The Church and Its Juniors,” Brockway.
“ Brothering the Boy,” Raffety.
“ The Girl in Her Teens,” Slattery.
“ Training Children in the Christian Family,” Weigle and Tweedy.