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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
upon themselves the condemnation of God. The Almighty will not be
trifled with, nor allow His voice to be disregarded with impunity.
Evils of Lax Discipline
Brethren C and D did not bring that relief to the cause at-----that
they should have brought. Had they both taken hold humbly, in the
fear of God, and persevered in well-doing both in the church and the
office, they would have been a great blessing to the work of God. Had
they felt their accountability to God for the training and discipline of
their children they would have been worthy examples to others. These
children needed not only the education acquired at school, but home
training also, that their mental and moral powers might be developed
in due proportion, each having the requisite exercise. The physical,
mental, and spiritual capabilities should be developed in order to form
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a properly balanced character.
Children should be watched, guarded, and disciplined in order
to successfully accomplish this. It requires skill and patient effort to
mold the young in the right manner. Certain evil tendencies are to be
carefully restrained and tenderly rebuked; the mind is to be stimulated
in favor of the right. The child should be encouraged in attempting
to govern self, and all this is to be done judiciously, or the purpose
desired is frustrated.
Parents may well inquire: “Who is sufficient for these things?”
God alone is their sufficiency, and if they leave Him out of the question,
seeking not His aid and counsel, hopeless indeed is their task. But by
prayer, by study of the Bible, and by earnest zeal on their part they
may succeed nobly in this important duty and be repaid a hundredfold
for all their time and care. But gossiping and anxiety concerning the
external appearance have taken the precious time that should have
been devoted to prayer for wisdom and strength from God to fulfill
their most sacred trust. Parents who are wise unto salvation will so
order their surroundings that they will be favorable to the formation
of correct characters in their children. This is almost always in their
power. The source of wisdom is open, from which they may draw all
necessary knowledge in this direction.
The Bible, a volume rich in instruction, should be their textbook.
If they train their children according to its precepts they not only set