Foreword
As marriage unites two hearts and lives in love, and a new home
is created, an early concern of its founders is that the children which
grace this new home shall be properly reared. The question of Manoah
of old, “How shall we order the child?” is thoughtfully pondered by
parents today as they look into the face of the precious and helpless
gift entrusted to their care.
The significance of instruction on child guidance is best understood
as we note the important place it takes in the word of God and the
frequent and detailed references to the subject in the spirit of prophecy
writings. In her several books, but more particularly in the articles
on practical Christian living which appeared from week to week in
the various journals of the denomination, Mrs. White set forth a
wealth of counsel to parents. In addition to this, she addressed to
various families hundreds of personal testimonies in which she dealt
specifically with the problems they faced. In these articles and personal
testimonies she described the principles which should guide parents,
and the procedures they should follow as they were kept before her in
vision.
In her later years Mrs. White expressed a desire to bring out a book
for Christian parents that would make clear “The Mother’s Duty And
Influence Over Her Children.” In the recently issued The Adventist
Home and this companion work, that desire is now fulfilled. Only
the thoughtful and prayerful perusal of the significant counsels of
this volume can reveal the tremendous and far-reaching influence of
training the child properly as God has placed the responsibility with
parents.
The fact that Ellen White was the mother of four boys enabled her
[6]
to set forth in an understanding and sympathetic manner the instruction
imparted to her. Her experience in the practical application of the
principles she has set before others begets confidence in the heart of
the reader.
iii