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Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students
no interest. They know nothing of the influence of the body upon
the mind, or of the mind upon the body. The mind, which allies the
finite to the Infinite, they do not seem to understand. Every organ
of the body was made to be servant to the mind. The mind is the
capital of the body.
Children are allowed to eat flesh meats, spices, butter, cheese,
pork, rich pastry, and condiments generally. They are also allowed to
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eat of unhealthful food at irregular hours and between meals. These
things do their work of deranging the stomach, exciting the nerves to
unnatural action, and enfeebling the intellect. Parents do not realize
that they are sowing the seed that will bring forth disease and death.
Many children have been ruined for life by urging the intellect
and neglecting to strengthen the physical powers. Many have died in
childhood because of the course pursued by injudicious parents and
schoolteachers in forcing their young intellects, by flattery or fear,
when they were too young to see the inside of a schoolroom. Their
minds have been taxed with lessons when they should not have been
called out, but kept back until the physical constitution was strong
enough to endure mental effort. Small children should be left as free
as lambs to run out of doors, to be free and happy, and should be
allowed the most favorable opportunities to lay the foundation for
sound constitutions.
The Ideal Plan
Parents should be the only teachers of their children until they
have reached eight or ten years of age. As fast as their minds can
comprehend it, the parents should open before them God’s great
book of nature. The mother should have less love for the artificial in
her house and in the preparation of her dress for display, and should
take time to cultivate, in herself and in her children, a love for the
beautiful buds and opening flowers. By calling the attention of her
children to the different colors and variety of forms, she can make
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them acquainted with God, who made all the beautiful things which
attract and delight them. She can lead their minds up to their Creator,
and awaken in their young hearts a love for their heavenly Father,
who has manifested so great love for them. Parents can associate
God with all His created works.