Bierton Strict and Particular Baptists, 3rd Ed, by David Clarke

168 it would hurt him, to have to correct him like this. He was about 4 years old.

I smacked his bottom with the cane and he jumped and couldn’t say a word for a few moments. Then he burst into tears saying, “ daddy that stings”.

From that day forward that cane was called the “stinging stick”. That was not the last time the stinging stick was used.

On another occasion I was preaching in Bierton Chapel and Isaac and Esther were sitting with there mum on the back row of the chapel. During the sermon Isaac was playing his mum up and he would not sit still and kept messing about. His behaviour was unacceptable. I was gradually becoming cross with him until I felt I must do some thing about it.

I stopped speaking and said to the congregation “ excuse me” and climbed down the pulpit steps and went to the back of the chapel. I picked Isaac up and took him out side the chapel and informed him I was displeased with his behaviour and gave his three smacks on the bottom. With this he burst into tears and when he stopped I took him back in the chapel and placed him besides his mum. I then went back into the pulpit and apologized for the interruption and proceeded with the sermon as though nothing had happened.

I heard afterwards the spanking was heard through out the chapel and a couple of the ladies were horrified at what I had done but they said nothing to me. I felt I had done the right thing using the rod of correction to drive foolishness from the child (prove. 22. 15).

Is Corporal Punishment Correct ?

Hatred stirs up strife’s but love covereth all sins. (Prov. 10. 12) Prov 10 13. A rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

Prov 13 24. He that spareth the rod hateth his son: he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Prov 19 18. Chasten thy son whilst there is hope spare not for his crying.

Prov 19 29. Judgments are prepared for scorns and stripes for the back of fools.

Prov 19 30. The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

Prov 22. 15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of the child but the rod of correction will drive it far from him.

Prov 23. With hold not correction from the child: for If 13 - 14 thou beatest him with the rod he shall not die.

Prov 29 15. The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

Answer: Yes.