THE children of royal parents need to learn obedience, the same as those in more humble life.
Happy the children, who, like Edward the VII, now king of England, have parents who are capable of bringing them up with wisdom and firmness. Some parents may say they have not the ability, but to old and young, God says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:55If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5).
Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, followed the word of God in bringing up his children.
The Prince of Wales was six years old when the following little incident happened. Instead of learning his lessons, he was making a drum of the window pane, and his pious governess, Miss Hylliard, told him gently, but firmly to get to his studies.
“I will not,” answered the prince. “Then I shall be obliged to put you into the corner.”
“I will not learn my lesson,” said the child in a determined way; “and I will not go into the corner, either. I am the Prince of Wales!” As he spoke, he lifted his foot, and broke a window pane.
Miss Hylliard went to him, and spoke even more firmly: “You must learn your lesson, or go into the corner.”
“But I will not!” said the prince, breaking another pane of glass.
The governess rang the bell, and respectfully called Prince Albert. He came directly and was told all that had happened. He placed his son on a tabouret, and told him to remain there till he returned. He soon came back with a Bible.
“Now, listen,” said he to the little prince of Wales, “I am going to read to you what the Apostle Paul says to you, and to all children: ‘The heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.’ It is quite true you are the prince of Wales, and after the death of your mother, you will be king of England. Now, you are only a little boy, and must obey those who are put over you. There is another verse in the Bible, I want you to understand. Solomon, the wise king, says, ‘He that spareth the rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.’” After this, the father took the rod and chastised the future king of England very severely; then put him into the corner, and said, “You remain there, and learn your lessons until Miss Hylliard allows you to come out, and remember, you are to be subject to those over you, for you must submit to the will of God and the laws of your country all your life.”
ML 07/18/1909