Ways in Which Character is Ruined
131
of church trials would be saved! ... Many souls will be eternally lost
because of the neglect of parents to properly discipline their children,
and to teach them submission to authority in their youth. Petting faults
and soothing outbreaks is not laying the ax at the root of the evil, but
proves the ruin of thousands of souls. Oh, how will parents answer to
God for this fearful neglect of their duty
By Negligence That Dallies With Sin—Children need watchful
care and guidance as never before, for Satan is striving to gain the
control of their minds and hearts and to drive out the Spirit of God. The
fearful state of the youth of this age constitutes one of the strongest
signs that we are living in the last days, but the ruin of many may be
traced directly to the wrong management of the parents. The spirit
of murmuring against reproof has been taking root and is bearing its
fruit of insubordination. While the parents are not pleased with the
characters their children are developing, they fail to see the errors that
make them what they are....
God condemns the negligence that dallies with sin and crime, and
the insensibility that is slow to detect its baleful presence in the families
of professed Christians
[177]
By Lack of Restraint—Because they do not properly restrain
and direct their children, thousands are coming up with deformed
characters, with lax morals, and with little education in the practical
duties of life. They are left to do as they please with their impulses,
their time, and their mental powers. The loss to the cause of God in
these neglected talents lies at the door of fathers and mothers; and what
excuse will they render to Him whose stewards they are, entrusted
with the sacred duty of fitting the souls under their charge to improve
all their powers to the glory of their Creator
The parents have thought they loved their children, but have proved
themselves their worst enemies. They have let evil go unrestrained.
They have allowed their children to cherish sin, which is like cherishing
and petting a viper, that will not only sting the victim who cherishes it,
but all with whom he is connected
5
Testimonies For The Church 4:92
.
6
Testimonies For The Church 4:199, 200
.
7
Testimonies For The Church 5:326
.
8
Fundamentals of Christian Education, 52, 53
.