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What Shall Our Children Read?
What shall our children read? This is a serious question and one
that demands a serious answer. It troubles me to see in Sabbath-
keeping families periodicals and newspapers containing continued
stories which leave no impressions for good on the minds of children
and youth. I have watched those whose taste for fiction was thus
cultivated. They have had the privilege of listening to the truth, of
becoming acquainted with the reasons of our faith; but they have
grown to maturer years destitute of true piety and practical godliness.
They manifest no devotion and reflect no heavenly light upon their
associates to lead them to the fount of all true knowledge.
It is during the first years of a child’s life that his mind is most
susceptible to impressions either good or evil. During these years
decided progress is made in either a right direction or a wrong one.
On one hand, much worthless information may be gained; on the
other, much solid, valuable knowledge. The strength of intellect,
the substantial knowledge, are possessions which the gold of Ophir
could not buy. Their price is above gold or silver.
The kind of education that fits the youth for practical life, they
naturally do not choose. They urge their desires, their likes and
dislikes, their preferences and inclinations; but if parents have correct
views of God, of the truth, and of the influences and associations that
should surround their children, they will feel that upon them rests
the God-given responsibility of carefully guiding the inexperienced
youth.
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Many youth are eager for books. They read anything that they
can obtain. I appeal to the parents of such children to control their
desire for reading. Do not permit upon your tables the magazines
and newspapers in which are found love stories. Supply their place
with books that will help the youth to put into their character building
the very best material—the love and fear of God, the knowledge
of Christ. Encourage your children to store the mind with valuable
knowledge, to let that which is good occupy the soul and control
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