Chapter 2—The First Teachers
Parents to Understand Their Responsibility—The father and
the mother should be the first teachers of their children
Fathers and mothers need to understand their responsibility. The
world is full of snares for the feet of the young. Multitudes are attracted
by a life of selfish and sensual pleasure. They cannot discern the hidden
dangers or the fearful ending of the path that seems to them the way
of happiness. Through the indulgence of appetite and passion, their
energies are wasted, and millions are ruined for this world and for
the world to come. Parents should remember that their children must
encounter these temptations. Even before the birth of the child, the
preparation should begin that will enable it to fight successfully the
battle against evil
More than human wisdom is needed by parents at every step, that
they may understand how best to educate their children for a useful,
happy life here, and for higher service and greater joy hereafter
Child Training an Important Part of God’s Plan—The training
of children constitutes an important part of God’s plan for demon-
strating the power of Christianity. A solemn responsibility rests upon
parents so to train their children that when they go forth into the world,
they will do good and not evil to those with whom they associate
Parents should not lightly regard the work of training their children,
nor neglect it upon any account. They should employ much time in
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careful study of the laws which regulate our being. They should make
it their first object to become intelligent in regard to the proper manner
of dealing with their children, that they may secure to them sound
minds in sound bodies....
Many who profess to be followers of Christ are sadly neglectful of
home duties; they do not perceive the sacred importance of the trust
1
Manuscript 67, 1903
.
2
The Ministry of Healing, 371
.
3
The Review and Herald, September 13, 1881
.
4
The Signs of the Times, September 25, 1901
.
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