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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
the congregation. They are in the habit of making an excuse to leave
the house. Boys understand this and go out before or after the exit of
the girls, and then, as the meeting closes, they accompany them home.
Parents are none the wiser of this. Again, excuses are made to walk,
and boys and girls assemble in the fairgrounds or some other secluded
place, and there play and have a regular high time, with no experienced
eye upon them to caution them.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:481,
482
(1870).
Diet and Parental Influences—If parents had lived healthfully,
being satisfied with simple diet, much expense would have been saved.
[166]
The father would not have been obliged to labor beyond his strength in
order to supply the wants of his family. A simple nourishing diet would
not have had an influence to unduly excite the nervous system and
the animal passions, producing moroseness and irritability. If he had
partaken only of plain food, his head would have been clear, his nerves
steady, his stomach in a healthy condition, and with a pure system he
would have had no loss of appetite, and the present generation would
be in a much better condition than it now is.
But even now, in this late period, something can be done to improve
our condition. Temperance in all things is necessary. A temperate
father will not complain if he has no great variety upon his table. A
healthful manner of living will improve the condition of the family in
ever sense and will allow the wife and mother time to devote to her
children.
The great study with the parents will be in what manner can they
best train their children for usefulness in this world and for heaven
hereafter. They will be content to see their children with neat, plain,
but comfortable garments, free from embroidery and adornment. They
will earnestly labor to see their children in the possession of the inward
adorning, the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight
of God of great price.—
Healthful Living, 45, 1865
(Part 2) . (
Selected
Messages 2:437, 438
.)
Father, the Family House-Band—A Christian father is the house-
band of his family, binding them close to the throne of God. Never is
his interest in his children to flag. The father who has a family of boys
should not leave these restless boys wholly to the care of the mother.
This is too heavy a burden for her. He should make himself their
companion and friend. He should exert himself to keep them from evil