21. Does the Fourth Commandment regard children and inferiors only?
It includes also the duties of parents and superiors.
22. What are the duties of parents towards their children?
The first and most sacred duty of parents is to bring up their children for God and for eternal life. Therefore they should, 1. Teach them well themselves, and get them well instructed in the Catholic Religion; 2. Train them up, as early as possible, to a pious and virtuous life; 3. Set them good example; 4. Guard them against being led into sinful or dangerous courses; and 5. Correct their faults with Christian charity.
'And you, fathers, bring your children up in the discipline and correction of the Lord' (Ephes. vi. 4). 'The child that is left to his own will, bringeth his mother to shame' (Prov. xxix. 15). 'Withhold not correction from a child; for if thou strike him with the rod, he shall not die, and thou shalt deliver his soul from hell' (Prov. xxiii. 13, 14).
23. How do parents sin when they neglect these their duties?
They sin grievously, and, moreover, render themselves accessory to the sins of their children, and often are the cause of their eternal damnation (Hell).
24. Have parents charge only of the ' eternal ' salvation of their children?
They have charge also of their temporal welfare and success; therefore they sin, 1. When they inconsiderately squander their property; 2. When they do not take proper care of the food, clothing, or health of their children; or 3. When they neglect to accustom them early to labor, and to make them learn something useful.
Parents must not unreasonably interfere with their children's liberty in the choice of a state of life or a partner in marriage.
25. What are the duties of masters and mistresses towards their servants?
