Problems of Youth
225
a wrong course and yield to the power of temptation. They do not
make this life a success, and the same deficiencies are seen in their
religious life.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:133, 134
(1872).
Discipline Which Stimulates and Strengthens—Beyond the dis-
cipline of the home and the school, all have to meet the stern discipline
of life. How to meet this wisely is a lesson that should be made plain
to every child and to every youth. It is true that God loves us, that
He is working for our happiness, and that, if His law had always been
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obeyed, we should never have known suffering; and it is no less true
that in this world—as the result of sin—suffering, trouble, burdens,
come to every life. We may do the children and the youth a lifelong
good by teaching them to meet bravely these troubles and burdens.
While we should give them sympathy, let it never be such as to foster
self-pity. What they need is that which stimulates and strengthens
rather than weakens.—
Education, 295
(1903).
Reaction to Ironclad Rules—Into your discipline bring not a
particle of harshness. Lay no rigid injunctions on the youth. It is these
ironclad rules and commands that sometimes lead them to feel that
they must and will do the thing they are charged not to do. When
giving caution or reproof to the youth, do it as one who has a special
interest in them. Let them see that you have an earnest desire for them
to make a good record in the books of heaven.—
Letter 67, 1902
.
Hard for Youth to Bear Burdens—The young can exert a power-
ful influence if they will give up their pride and selfishness and devote
themselves to God; but as a general thing they will not bear burdens for
others. They have to be carried themselves. The time has come when
God requires a change in this respect. He calls upon young and old
to be zealous and repent. If they continue in their state of lukewarm-
ness, He will spew them out of His mouth. Says the True Witness, “I
know thy works.” Young man, young woman, your works are known,
whether they be good or whether they be evil. Are you rich in good
works? Jesus comes to you as a counselor: “I counsel thee to buy of
Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment,
that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do
not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see”
(
Revelation 3:18
).—
Testimonies for the Church 1:485
(1867).
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Thoughts Become Habits—We need a constant sense of the en-
nobling power of pure thoughts. The only security for any soul is