the necessity of careful Biblical training for children. The thought seems to be that it is enough to be born into a Christian home, as is sometimes said: “My son was born in the truth.” No one has been born in the truth, for a newborn child’s mind is a blank. Even King David said: “In sin my mother conceived me.” (Ps. 51:5) Not only is it necessary to be born in a Christian home, but training must be given, because the young child of a dedicated Christian is considered “holy.” (1 Cor. 7:14) The successful education of the young minister Timothy was begun in his infancy. “You, however, continue in the things you learned and were persuaded to believe, knowing from what persons you learned them and that from infancy you have known the holy writings which are able to make you wise for salvation.” (2 Tim. 3:14, 15) Only by training, discipline and instruction in righteousness can the young mind be led to the point of attaining personal relationship with Jehovah God.

17. Who are the best associates of the family, and how can useful habits be spoiled?

¹⁷ All these useful habits that will lead to the salvation of your family can, however, be lost through bad association. “Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits.” (1 Cor. 15:33) Avoid wrong association by filling the family life with good and wholesome association. Parents, take the time to be the companions and associates of your own family. Husbands, remember that you are the proper associate of your own wife and children. Wholesome recreation, too, must be provided for the family, otherwise wrong forms of amusement may be found.

18. What goal in life should Christian parents hold before children for their salvation?

¹⁸ Is the life pattern to which you parents are directing your children one that leads to their salvation? What is the hope or ambition being inculcated in the minds of your children? Are they being filled with the thought that it is an admirable thing to fill or occupy an important position in this old world, or are they imbued with the better hope of fulfilling an important function in the new world? Are you teaching them to invest themselves in the bankrupt institution that is the old world, or are they being trained to live for truth and righteousness as grateful praisers of the great Creator of heaven and earth? Which is more important for children today: to have a good account in the bank reckoned in dollars saved, or a good account with Jehovah reckoned in lives saved? What are your children being trained for? Is the full-time missionary service held before them as a great privilege, a gift from the Most High God himself? Is it being impressed on their minds that salvation comes by preaching to others? Children so instructed will become life savers, to the blessing of themselves and others. Parents giving proper care and thought to these points will be saving their families as well as their neighbors.

THE DIVIDED HOUSEHOLD

19. What instruction is given by God’s Word to a wife with an opposed husband? How does this apply, and with what hope?

¹⁹ There are many households where one marriage mate is dedicated to Jehovah to do his will but the other is not. They are unequally yoked. The dedicated servant will be deeply concerned over the salvation of the marriage partner. The believing wife will certainly try to save her husband. It can prove to be a heartbreaking task. In angry opposition he may even forbid her to speak to him or the children about God’s Word. What will she do? The apostle Peter gave direct instruction. To wives he says: “If any are not obedient to the word, they may be won without a word through the conduct of their wives, because of having been eyewitnesses of your chaste conduct together with deep respect.” (1 Pet. 3:1, 2) When a wife cannot win the husband by oral preaching she may do it by her own conduct, which can be most powerful. Never lose hope. Remember what the apostle Paul wrote: “For, wife, how do you know but that you will save your husband?”—1 Cor. 7:16.

20. What is the necessary attitude of a husband toward an unbelieving wife? Has his acceptance of the truth altered the marriage relationship?

²⁰ The same considerations apply when the situation is one involving a believing husband and an unbelieving wife. The word of the apostle Paul continues: “Or, husband, how do you know but that you will save your wife?” (1 Cor. 7:16) Great tact and love are necessary. The husband must be patient, gracious and tolerant. Becoming a worshiper of Jehovah does not relieve him of his marital responsibilities but rather adds to them. The wife is entitled, not only to material needs, but also to companionship. The Christian course does not allow a husband to absorb himself so completely in his worship that he virtually ignores his wife.

21. How can a husband apply to his wife the principle followed by the apostle Paul, and what will he not do if he hopes to win his wife? What question will he ask himself?

²¹ The husband who hopes to win his wife to the way of true worship would do well to pay heed to the principle followed by the apostle Paul toward those he was endeavoring to save. “So to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews . . . To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to people of all kinds, that I might by all means save some.” (1 Cor. 9:20, 22) He entered into their condition. He gave sympathetic consideration to their problems. He was not foolish or weak, but respectful of their convictions, even though he knew them to be wrong. Having himself come out of the Jewish religion, Paul did not mock, despise or act intolerantly toward the Jews he was trying to save. He knew that only by leading their understanding to a better way could he hope to save their lives. In the same way husbands would do well not to mock or be intolerant; if they do they will drive their wives farther away. Let the husband ask himself: “How would I like to be dealt with if I were in the same place?” Having determined this, deal with her in that manner. Love must operate. As Paul states: “Love is long-suffering and obliging . . . does not become provoked. . . . It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”—1 Cor. 13:4-8.

22. What are some of the problems facing ministers, and what must they do?

²² No one wants to fail in love for his family, but there are some who are servants in a congregation and are so busy with congregational activities, committee meetings and field service that they are not able to spend any time with their families. They may easily say: “I appreciate all the care that should be given to ensure the salvation of my family. I love my wife and family and want to see them saved as much as my neighbor, but I am just so busy with my ministerial duties that I hardly find time for my family. However, they are in the truth and do not complain that I cannot be with them.” Really, does it not come down to a matter of balancing all these demands on our time? In this balance let proper weight be given to the interests of your own family. Certainly Jehovah God would not expect a man to use all his time in congregational activity, in helping his brothers and neighbors gain salvation, and yet not look after the salvation of his own household. A man’s wife and children are a primary responsibility, as the apostle Paul states: ‘If anyone does not provide for his own household, he is worse than a person without faith.’—1 Tim. 5:8.

23. What is the primary provision he must make, and what should be aimed at?

²³ So then, it is far, far better for a brother to provide first for the salvation of the members of his own household. Material provision alone is not sufficient. To provide things needful we must care first for the spiritual welfare that will lead to their salvation. We all want to live in God’s new world. Draw the family closer together. All members of the family in the fear of Jehovah must help one another to be on the right side. The great battle of Armageddon draws near. Aim at full family survival! As you do these things, great happiness and peace will be the blessed portion of your household.

Salvation by Overcoming Proud Tradition

“‘Do not go beyond the things that are written,’ in order that you may not be puffed up individually in favor of the one against the other. For who makes you to differ from another? Indeed, what do you have that you did not receive? If, now, you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”—1 Cor. 4:6, 7.

1. What danger to the family is seen in worldly tradition?

PROUD tradition is old-world thinking that must be eradicated, as it has no place in God’s new world. Worldly traditions affect practically every family in one way or another. Often people do not even realize the extent to which their thinking is conditioned by the ingrained traditions and customs of the community in which they live. The salvation of the family requires that its members be conscious of the dangers of this old-world habit. This article discusses the barriers, the divisions, the disunity that proud tradition creates between families, communities and national groups.

2. What are some of the proud traditions of this world, and why are they opposed to New World principles?

² Some of these traditions, which deeply affect thinking and bring in divisions and prejudices, are national pride, pride of race or clan, pride of family and its historical accomplishments; pride of wealth, caste, color or language; pride of class or profession. Some families take much pride in their ancestors and the worship of them, in the military exploits and traditions of their forebears, in the antiquity of their ecclesiastical traditions. There can be no question that these traditions, which set one man or group apart from another, are in opposition to the godly principle of unity. No one can hold these traditions and prejudices and be a part of the New World society.

KEEP YOURSELVES FROM THESE THINGS

3. What is proud tradition based on? Why does it interfere with Christian association and service?

³ Let us now consider how some of these worldly traditions operate in relation to humankind. Class distinction is found in practically all nations. It may be based on possessions, accomplishments, titled ancestry,