300
Child Guidance
Respect Child’s Preference, if Reasonable—It rests with us in-
dividually to decide whether our lives shall be controlled by the mind
or by the body. The youth must, each for himself, make the choice that
shapes his life; and no pains should be spared that he may understand
the forces with which he has to deal, and the influences which mold
character and destiny
In the education of children and youth they should be taught that
the habits of eating, drinking, and dressing which have been formed
after the world’s standard are not in accordance with the laws of health
and life, and must be held in control by reason and intellect. The power
of appetite and strength of habit should not be permitted to overpower
the dictates of reason. In order to secure this object, the youth must
have higher aims and motives than mere animal gratification in eating
and drinking
Far-reaching Effects of Perverted Appetite—Some are not im-
pressed with the necessity of eating and drinking to the glory of God.
The indulgence of appetite affects them in all the relations of life. It
is seen in the family, in the church, in the prayer meeting, and in the
conduct of their children. It is the curse of their lives. It prevents them
from understanding the truths for these last days
Healthful Living, a Personal Obligation—What we eat and
drink has an important bearing upon our lives and characters, and
Christians should bring their habits of eating and drinking into con-
formity to the laws of nature. We must sense our obligations to God
in these matters. Obedience to the laws of health should be made a
matter of earnest study, for willing ignorance on this subject is sin.
[393]
Each one should feel a personal obligation to carry out the laws of
healthful living
[394]
39
Education, 202
.
40
Good Health, July, 1880, par. 7
.
41
Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 151
.
42
Manuscript 47, 1896
.