A SAD DIARY

FIRST CALL: "We're going to start attending as soon as the baby is old enough to bring."

ONE YEAR LATER: "Yes, we're coming when our toddler stops her squirming and crying."

THREE YEARS LATER: I know you think we're awful about church attendance, but Jane has trouble in her class. She is just different. It is bad to force the child to go. We'll come when Jane can appreciate it all."

ELEVEN YEARS LATER: "I'm telephoning to see if the minister or elders can help us with Jane. She's running with the wrong crowd, and always getting into trouble. Won't even listen to us, and we're her parents."

STILL LATER: "Yes, Jane is married. They ran away from home. Yes, they were too young, but she stopped minding us long ago. He promised not to stand in the way if she wanted to attend the church."

 ANOTHER TEN YEARS: "Well ... Jane finally married a man who can give her the better things of life. Yes, she had to divorce the other two fellows. Jane is upset about something though. The preacher preached a sermon on marriage and divorce, and she says she will never attend the church again.

 Just one thing preacher, can you tell us where we went wrong with Jane?