human
Were you not charmed with the lovely sermons with which Herr Möhring edified us during the holidays?
gpt
I regret not having heard them,
human
Then you did not attend divine service?
gpt
Oh, yes! I went with my parents to the village church at Lindhof.
human
Indeed! said the Baroness Lessen, turning for the first time toward Elizabeth, and smiling sarcastically.
gpt
And were you greatly edified at the village church at Lindhof?
human
Most truly was I, gracious lady, Elizabeth quietly replied, looking calmly into the contemptuous eyes that were turned upon her.
gpt
I was deeply affected by the simple, earnest words of the preacher. His discourse was not delivered in the church, but under the trees outside. When the service was about to begin it was evident that the little church could not contain the crowd of worshippers, and an altar was constructed under God’s free sky. Such altars might often be erected.
human
Unfortunately, they often are, said Herr Möhring, who until then had spoken little, contenting himself with confirming all Frau von Lehr’s remarks by an amiable smile or an assenting nod. Now, however, his broad, shiny face grew purple, and, turning to the baroness, he continued, contemptuously:
gpt
Yes, most gracious lady, it is only too true; the old idols are being replaced in the sacred groves, and we shall have druids sacrificing to them beneath the oaken shades.
human
Really, that never occurred to me. With the aid of my wildest imagination I should never have dreamed at the time that I was assisting at a heathen sacrifice, rejoined Elizabeth. She smiled, but continued with serious warmth:
gpt
It seemed to me, on that glorious spring morning, as the tones of the organ streamed forth from the open doors and windows of the church, and that reverend old man spoke in such devout tones, as it did when I entered the temple of God for the first time in my life.
human
You seem to have an excellent memory, Fräulein, Frau von Lehr here remarked:
gpt
How old were you at that time, if I may ask?
human
Eleven years old.
gpt
Eleven years old! Oh, heavens! how can such a thing be possible? cried the lady in holy horror.
human
How possible with Christian parents! Why, my children were familiar with the house of God from their earliest years, as you can testify, my dear doctor.
gpt
Yes indeed, madame, he replied with great gravity.
human
I remember that you ascribed the attack of croup, by which you lost your little son at two years of age, to a couple of hours in the cold church.
gpt
Yes, the Lord took the pious little angel to himself; he was too good for this world; then, turning to Elizabeth, she said:
human
And so you were shut out from the Lord’s kingdom for the first eleven years of your life?
gpt
Only from His temple, gracious lady. As a little child I was instructed in the history of Christianity, and with my first thoughts were blended ideas of God’s wisdom and love. I cannot remember the time when I did not hear of them from my father; but it is a firm principle of his never to allow very young children to go to church; he says they are entirely incapable of appreciating the importance and meaning of what they see and hear there; the sermon, which must be entirely beyond their comprehension, wearies them, and they conceive a dislike to the place. My little brother Ernst is seven years old, and has never yet been to church.
human
Oh, happy father, who has the courage to frame and execute such plans for his children’s culture!
gpt
Well, what hinders you from letting your children grow up without care, like mushrooms?
human
That I can readily tell you in a very few words, most gracious lady. I have six children, and cannot afford to have masters for them at home. My profession prevents me from teaching them myself, and, therefore, I am obliged to send them to the public school and subject them to its laws, which require them to attend church regularly. Just as little can I carry out my views with regard to another subject,—the putting of the Bible into the hands of young children. The Sacred Book, which contains the holy principles that should regulate all our thoughts and actions, and, as such, should be regarded with veneration by the young,—does not belong in their hands at a time when childhood, with rare exceptions, seeks amusement instead of instruction, and is always curious to investigate whatever is forbidden and mysterious. And, therefore, I know,—and any observant teacher will admit,—that children who devote themselves constantly to the perusal of the Bible, for which they are commended by thoughtless parents, do not always search for the text of the last sermon,—but read much else beside,—often meeting with words and expressions which a careful mother would guard them from hearing at home, but whose significance is often made only too clear by their intercourse with other children not so carefully educated, left to the charge of ignorant and vulgar servants. And suppose, even, that they seek explanation of certain words and phrases from their mothers only; an intelligent mother will always know, ’tis true, how to reply to their queries, but she must, most certainly, forbid them the use of many expressions which they find in the Bible,—let us recall to mind the Song of Solomon,—and so the first seeds of doubt and unbelief are sown in the childish mind, which is wanting in the strength that only moral culture and riper understanding can give.