Death Without Instruction: The Peril of Spiritual Ignorance

"He shall die without instruction" (Proverbs 5:23). All persons are born in a state of ignorance and darkness as to spiritual things; therefore all young persons need instruction. Good instruction in youth is God's appointed means to bring men to the saving knowledge of Himself and the attainment of salvation. The neglect of early instruction and good education is the ruin of many a person in both worlds. They live viciously and die desperately, passing from the errors and works of darkness to the place of utter and eternal darkness.

The time of youth is the most proper season in nature for good instruction. Children's faculties are fresh and vigorous; they are void of those prejudices against truth and virtue which they later take up. Consider five consequences of spiritual undiscipline: First, children cannot live as Christians if they know not the fundamentals of Christian religion—a man can act no better than his principles dictate. Second, young people lacking grounding in essential Christian doctrine are easily led into error or heresy. Third, such undisciplined persons prove ill members of the State and the very pest of their neighbourhood. Fourth, these untaught people bring reproach upon our religion and the Church of Christ. Fifth, the God who made them will sorely reject them at last.

Therefore, efficiency in the religious education of our young people is supremely to be desired. (Josiah Woodward, D.D.)