Chapter 21—Industry
A Safeguard for the Young—One of the surest safeguards of the
young is useful occupation. Children who are trained to industrious
habits, so that all their hours are usefully and pleasantly employed,
have no inclination to repine at their lot and no time for idle daydream-
ing. They are in little danger of forming vicious habits or associations
There is untold value in industry. Let the children be taught to do
something useful. More than human wisdom is needed that parents
may understand how best to educate their children for a useful, happy
life here and for higher service and greater joy hereafter
Assign Tasks Appropriate to Age and Ability—From infancy
children should be trained to do those things which are appropriate for
their age and ability. Parents should now encourage their children to
become more independent. Serious troubles are soon to be seen upon
the earth, and children should be trained in such a way as to be able to
meet them
Teach your children to be useful, to bear burdens according to their
years; then the habit of laboring will become second nature to them,
and useful work will never seem like drudgery
The Fruitage of Idleness—Parents cannot commit a greater sin
than to neglect their God-given responsibilities in leaving their children
with nothing to do; for these children will soon learn to love idleness
and grow up to be shiftless, useless men and women. When they
become old enough to earn their living and are taken into employment,
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they will work in a lazy, droning way and will think they will be paid
just the same if they idle away their time, as if they did faithful work.
There is every difference between this class of worker and the one
who realizes that he must be a faithful steward. In whatever line of
work they engage, the youth should be “diligent in business, fervent in
1
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 122
.
2
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 125
.
3
The Signs of the Times, August 13, 1896
.
4
The Review and Herald, June 24, 1890
.
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