I notice that most of the articles now are written upon doctrinal differences, and that very little is written to help, encourage and strengthen the youth of today. And yet, the future of the church depends upon the young people, for the boys and girls of today will be the men and women of tomorrow.

There are many congregations dying for the lack of proper teaching. The church of Christ is not composed of negatively-taught individuals. Christianity is not just merely standing out against that which is wrong. There are many positive, constructive things, to be taught and practiced. Many a congregation has been fed on negative doctrines for years without any constructive teaching, and yet they wonder why the young folks are not interested.

Paul said that Timothy had known the holy scriptures from a child (2 Tim. 3). He further says that Timothy’s faith first dwelt in his grandmother and then in his mother (2 Tim. 1:5). No wonder then, that he, could say that he had no man like Timothy (Phil. 2:19). You will also remember that Samuel’s mother gave him to the Lord and how faithful he was to the sacred trust. In Eccl. 12:1 the wise man says: "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth." It is a mistaken idea that every child must "sow his wild oats." Many a young person growing up under the influence of the Devil has become so hardened and beset in sin that the gospel which is the power of God to salvation does not appeal to him. I have had people in sin to say to me, "Just keep up the good work young fellow, that is fine; if I had tried to be somebody when I was young I might have amounted to something, but such as that does not appeal to me now." Young friends, this is a sad picture, and my plea to you is that you obey the gospel and live a Christian life now, or you, too, may sometime say "I have no pleasure in them."

Paul instructed Timothy to "give attendance to reading." It may be that you do read papers, magazines, books and so on; but be sure that you give earnest attention to reading the Bible. You may say, "I have read the entire Bible through." Well, that is fine, but from a child Timothy had known the holy scriptures and yet Paul commanded him to read and study. Our memories are faulty, and we forget; and remember that you can not know too much about the Bible. The Bible is unlike any other book. We do not finish it by going through it a time or two.

Sometimes young people say that they do not intend to be a preacher or a teacher, and so, do not need to study the Bible. But God did not give the Bible to preachers only, but to all; and he expects us all to read it and learn for ourselves. Others seem to be ashamed to carry the Bible along the street where they will be seen with it, but remember that Jesus said, "Whosoever, therefore, shall be ashamed of me and my word in this sinful and adulterous generation; of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with His angels" Mk. 8:38. You do not have to put on a show of your religion, but where ever you are just let it be known that you are a Christian—at school, at play, at work or anywhere. Just always stand up for truth, honesty, virtue and the church. It is true that they will not ask you to drink with them, nor attend their wild parties, nor engage in their vulgarity, but that is because they have too much respect for you if you have proven to them that you are a Christian.

You cannot deceive your associates and there is no use to try. If you do and say things that are not becoming to a Christian, then when a parent or any one tries to talk to a sinful boy or girl about becoming a Christian, they will point to you and say: "I am better than that would-be saint." May God help us to live better lives. And remember, "there is an all seeing-Eye watching you."