With Love and Firmness
197
rect the children for doing wrong, God would hold them accountable
for their neglect. But let them be sparing of censure. Let kindness be
the law of the home and of the school. Let the children be taught to
keep the law of the Lord, and let a firm, loving influence restrain them
from evil
Have Consideration for Childish Ignorance—Fathers and moth-
ers, in the home you are to represent God’s disposition. You are to
require obedience, not with a storm of words, but in a kind, loving
manner. You are to be so full of compassion that your children will be
drawn to you
Be pleasant in the home. Restrain every word that would arouse
unholy temper. “Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath,” is a
divine injunction. Remember that your children are young in years and
experience. In controlling and disciplining them, be firm, but kind
Children do not always discern right from wrong, and when they
do wrong, they are often treated harshly, instead of being kindly in-
structed
No license is given in God’s Word for parental severity or oppres-
sion or for filial disobedience. The law of God, in the home life and in
the government of nations, flows from a heart of infinite love
[260]
Sympathy for the Unpromising Child—I see the necessity of
parents dealing in the wisdom of Christ with their erring children.... It
is the unpromising ones who need the greatest patience and kindness,
the most tender sympathy. But many parents reveal a cold, unpitying
spirit, which will never lead the erring to repentance. Let the hearts
of parents be softened by the grace of Christ, and His love will find a
way to the heart
The Saviour’s rule—“As ye would that men should do to you, do
ye also to them likewise” (
Luke 6:31
)—should be the rule of all who
undertake the training of children and youth. They are the younger
members of the Lord’s family, heirs with us of the grace of life. Christ’s
5
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 155
.
6
Manuscript 79, 1901
.
7
The Review and Herald, April 21, 1904
.
8
Manuscript 12, 1898
.
9
Letter 8a, 1896
.
10
Manuscript 22, 1890
.