Chapter 10—Dangers of the Young
June 6, 1863, I was shown some of the dangers of the young. Satan
is controlling the minds of youth, and leading their inexperienced
feet astray. The youth are ignorant of his devices, and parents should
be awake, and in these perilous times work with perseverance and
industry, to shut out the first approach of the foe. They should instruct
their children when they go out and when they come in, when they
rise up, and when they sit down. It should be line upon line, precept
upon precept, here a little and there a little.
The mother’s work commences with the infant. She should subdue
the will and temper of the child, and bring its disposition into subjec-
tion. Learn it to obey. As the child grows older, relax not the hand.
Every mother should take time to reason with the child, to correct its
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errors, and patiently teach it the right way. Christian parents should
know that they are instructing and fitting their children to become
children of God. The whole religious experience of the children is
influenced by the instructions given, and character formed, in child-
hood. If the child’s will is not subdued and made to yield in childhood
to the will of the parents, then what a task! What a severe struggle!
What a conflict, to yield that will which never was subdued, to the
requirements of God! Parents who neglect this important work, com-
mit a great error, and sin against their poor children, and against God.
Children, while under strict discipline, will at times have dissatisfied
feelings. They will feel impatient under restraint, and will wish to
have their own will, and go and come as they please. And they will
often feel, from the ages of ten to eighteen, that there would be no
harm in going to picnics and other gatherings of young associates; yet
their experienced parents can see danger. They are acquainted with
the peculiar temperaments of their children, and know the influence of
these things upon their minds, and in reference to their salvation, keep
them back from these exciting amusements.
When these children decide to leave the pleasures of the world
themselves, and choose to be Christ’s disciples, what a burden is lifted
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