48
Child Guidance
If You Have Begun Wrong—To parents who have begun their
training wrong, I would say, Do not despair. You need to be soundly
converted to God. You need the true spirit of obedience to the Word
of God. You must make decided reforms in your own customs and
practices, conforming your life to the saving principles of the law of
God. When you do this, you will have the righteousness of Christ
which pervades that law, because you love God and recognize His law
as a transcript of His character. True faith in the merits of Christ is
not fancy. It is of the highest importance that you bring the attributes
of Christ into your own life and character, and educate and train your
children with persevering effort to be obedient to the commandments
of God. A “Thus saith the Lord” should guide you in all your plans of
education....
Let there be a deep and thorough repentance before God. Com-
mence the year ... by earnestly seeking God for grace, for spiritual
discernment to discover the defects in the work of the past. Repent
before God for your neglected work as home missionaries
This is your day of trust, your day of responsibility and opportunity.
Soon will come your day of reckoning. Take up your work with
earnest prayer and faithful endeavor. Teach your children that it is
their privilege to receive every day the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Let
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Christ find you His helping hand to carry out His purposes. By prayer
you may gain an experience that will make your ministry for your
children a perfect success
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21
Manuscript 12, 1898
.
22
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 131
.