As the Study Conductor in the mid 80s, I was asked by the parents of a 9 year old if it their child should get baptised. I responded, "whats the rush"? These dear deluded parents were responding to a recent article in the literature that seemed to encourage any quite young, but sincere children, to allow them to be baptised. He was a bit different, liked going in service and read well. I still discouraged it. To no avail. Later, after baptism, the father took me aside after a book study and asked why I didn't call on him to read or pray. I told him that I didn't feel that the adults in the group would want to be instructed or prayed for by a very inexperienced child even if he appeared to be exceptional, and that even if he is a male, that does not automatically quallify him. He reluctantly accepted that, mostly due to our relationship. Later the boy, at about 19, drifted and left.
I really wonder how many times thats been repeated, and why the wbts still encourages this. I'm sure there's exceptions, but surely those exceptions, if sincere, wouldn't change there attitude after a few more years of experience in life.
