PEDIATRICS Vol. 51 No. 1 January 1973, pp. 69
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THE TROUBLE WITH THE RISING GENERATION LIVING IN NEW ENGLAND IN 1657

T. E. C. Jr. M.D.

The modernity of Ezekial Rogers' remarks, although written in 1657, may surprise present day readers. In a letter to Cotton Mather, Rogers had this to say about young people:

. . . I find greatest trouble and grief about the rising generation. Young people are little stirred here; but they strengthen one another in evil, by example, by counsel. Much ado have with my own family; hard to get a servant that is glad of catechising or family-duties: I had a rare blessing of servants in Yorkshire; and those that I brought over were a blessing: but the young brood doth much afflict me. Even the children of the godly here and elsewhere, make a woful (sic) proof! So that, I tremble to think, what will become of this glorious work that we have begun, when the ancient shall be gathered unto their fathers. I fear grace and blessing will die with them, if the Lord do not also show more signs of displeasure, even in our days. We grow worldly every where; methinks I see little godliness, but all in a hurry about the world; every one for himself, little care of public or common good.

It hath been God's way, not to send sweeping judgments when the chief magistrates are godly and grow more so. I beseech all the Bayministers to call earnestly upon magistrates (that are often among them) tell them that their godliness will be our protection: if they fail, I shall fear some sweeping judgment shortly. The clouds seem to be gathering.1