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Mothers Gifted to Nurture Their Children, July 24
When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which
dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am
persuaded that in thee also.
2 Timothy 1:5
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The mother’s work is given her of God, to bring up her children in the
nurture and admonition of the Lord. The love and fear of God should ever
be kept before their tender minds. When corrected, they should be taught to
feel that they are admonished of God, that He is displeased with deception,
untruthfulness, and wrongdoing. Thus the minds of little ones may be so
connected with God that all they do and say will be in reference to His
glory; and in afteryears they will not be like the reed in the wind, continually
wavering between inclination and duty.
If in their tender years, the minds of children are filled with pleasant
images of truth, of purity and goodness, a taste will be formed for that which
is pure and elevated, and their imagination will not become easily corrupted
or defiled. While if the opposite course is pursued, if the minds of the
parents are continually dwelling upon low scenes; if their conversation lingers
over objectionable features of character; if they form a habit of speaking
complainingly of the course others have pursued, the little ones will take
lessons from the words and expressions of contempt, and will follow the
pernicious example. The evil impress, like the taint of the leprosy, will cleave
to them in afterlife.
The seeds sown in infancy by the careful, God-fearing mother will become
trees of righteousness, which will blossom and bear fruit; and the lessons
given by a God-fearing father by precept and example will, as in the case of
Joseph, yield an abundant harvest by and by.
Will parents review their work in the educating and training of their
children, and consider whether they have done their whole duty in hope and
faith that these children may be a crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord
Jesus? Have they so labored for the welfare of their children that Jesus can
look down from heaven and by the gift of His Spirit sanctify their efforts?
Parents, it may be yours to prepare your children for the highest usefulness
in this life, and to share at last the glory of that which is to come.—
Good
Health, January 1, 1880
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