Devo
America is at a crisis point, potentially on the crossroads to civil war. Recent surveys indicate that 70% of Americans are thinking this way. What’s happening in Virginia even now proves the survey. Not a good indicator for peaceful sweet sleep.
At one time there was a priority within family’s and churches in America of establishing a base of understanding of what was expected in the conduct and behavior of children—and adults. The basics of life seem to have been forgotten, or never learned in the first place. Values such as honoring God, having respect, proper conduct, obeying the rules, alongside character traits like bravery, courage and much more. These used to be taught at home, the church meeting and at school where they may have learned from McGuffey’s Readers.
A pluralistic society has much less chance of survival than one where people have the same culture, and practice the same religious faith, like it once was in America. The very name “America” means Heavenly kingdom in the old Germanic language! The very first act of the Jamestown settlers upon reaching the shores of America was claiming and dedicating the land to the Almighty King of the Bible, Jesus Christ!
The devotional following was written by Rev. William Smith in 1834, and is from the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Rev. Smith [birth & death dates not known], was a Scottish divine residing in Glasgow. An author of some note in his own era, he published at least four or five other works, and this particular work, The School & Family Catechist, seems to have met with some success, going through at least three editions in Scotland and one in North America.
This lesson deals with the 5th Commandment, which says, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12
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THE SCHOOL & FAMILY CATECHIST
by Rev. William Smith (1834)
The Westminster Shorter Catechism, Questions 65 & 66.
Q. 65. What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing any thing against the honor and duty which belongeth to every one, in their several places and relations.
EXPLICATION.
Neglecting the honor. –Not giving, or not paying, to every one that degree of respect which is justly due.
Doing any thing against the honor and duty, &c. –Being guilty of those sins which are opposed to the duties required by the fifth commandment. The sins of superiors are, giving commands that are contrary to the law of God, encourageing evil, and discouraging good, by their orders, or by their example, &c. The sins of inferiors are, envying their superiors, despising them, and rising up in rebellion against their lawful commands, and just correction, &c. The sins of equals are, envying another’s gifts or talents, grieving at his prosperity, and assuming and improper pre-eminence, or superiority, one over another, &c.
ANALYSIS.
The sins forbidden in the fifth commandment, are of two sorts:
The neglecting of the honor and duty which belong to every one, in their several places and relations. –Rom. xiii. 8. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another.
The doing anything against this honor and duty. –Matt. xv. 4–6. God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother; and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death: but ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or mother, It is a gift, –and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have you made the commandment of God of none effect, by your tradition.
Q. 66. What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?
A. The reason annexed to the fifth commandment, is a promise of long life and prosperity, (as far as it shall serve for God’s glory, and their own good,) to all such as keep this commandment.
EXPLICATON.
Prosperity. –Success in our lawful business, and the enjoyment of the blessings and the comforts of this life.
Serve for God’s glory. –Be the means of promoting God’s glorious designs and purposes.
Their own good. –Their spiritual and eternal happiness.
ANALYSIS.
In this answer, we have two points of information:
That those who keep the fifth commandment, shall have long life and prosperity. –Eph. vi. 2, 3. Honor thy father and thy mother, which is the first commandment with a promise; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest live long on the earth.
That this promise is limited by the glory of God and their own good. Psal. xxxvii. 34. Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
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I would add to the Catechism that the 5th Commandment reveals the duty that parents have to not only obey the LORD in all that he has said, but to teach these same doctrines to children, and those under their control and care, to obey as well. Thus, if children fail to obey the LORD the responsibility falls directly upon the shoulders of parents who have a duty to ‘train up a child’ in the ways he should go. The Shorter Catechism used to be taught everywhere churches were planted. It is valuable basic training for all children and adults. It should not only be taught, but inculcated into the lives of those who learn them.
Michael Reed is Editor of The Standard.
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