Basic HTML Version
Willing and Obedient, June 9
Highways to Happiness
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.
Isaiah 1:19
In requiring obedience to the laws of His kingdom, God gives His
people health and happiness, peace and joy.
To the great principle of love and loyalty to God, the Father of all,
the principle of filial love and obedience is closely related. Contempt for
parental authority will soon lead to contempt for the authority of God.
At a very early age children can comprehend what is plainly and
simply told them, and by kind and judicious management can be taught
to obey.... The mother should not allow her child to gain an advantage
over her in a single instance. And in order to maintain this authority
it is not necessary to resort to harsh measures; a firm, steady hand and
a kindness which convinces the child of your love will accomplish the
purpose.
When children love and repose confidence in their mother, and have
become obedient to her, they have been taught the first lessons in becom-
ing Christians. They must be obedient to and love and trust Jesus as they
are obedient to and love and trust their parents.
Prompt and continual obedience to wise parental rule will promote
the happiness of the children themselves as well as the honor of God and
the good of society. Children should learn that in submission to the laws
of the household is their perfect liberty. Christians will learn the same
lesson—that in their obedience to God’s law is their perfect freedom.
* * * * *
Children will be happier, far happier, under proper discipline than if
left to do as their untrained impulses shall suggest.
[165]
172