In 1940 the New York Times conducted a survey of 50,000 youths in New York high schools. Thirty-seven thousand of these declared that they had not the faintest idea what the Ten Commandments were. If that was true in 1940 imagine how many would know nothing of the Ten Commandments today.
The Ten Commandments have had as much impact on the world as anything ever written. They are the moral and spiritual foundations of our society. Every child should know them by heart.
There was a time when they were taught in our public schools and every child had to memorize them. Perhaps some of you remember the Ten Commandments in verse as they were found in the Old McGuffey’s Reader.
- Thou no gods shalt have but me.
- Before no idol bend the knee.
- Take not the name of God in vain.
- Dare not the sabbath day profane.
- Give to thy parents honor due.
- Take heed that thou no murder do.
- Abstain from words and deeds unclean.
- Steal not, for thou by God art seen.
- Tell not a willful lie, nor live it.
- What is thy neighbor’s do not covet. With all thy soul love God above; and as thyself thy neighbor love.
Today the responsibility for such moral teaching falls squarely on the home. Every parent should take special care that these principles are embedded in the minds of their children.
If the moral foundation of our nation is shaky, it is because we have neglected these basic principles from God’s law. Let every parent be faithful in living and teaching these eternal truths. You owe it to your family, your nation, and your God.