Chapter 74—Dangers of the Young
June 6, 1863, I was shown some of the dangers of the young. Satan
is controlling the minds of the youth and leading their inexperienced
feet astray. They are ignorant of his devices, and in these perilous times
parents should be awake and work with perseverance and industry to
shut out the first approach of the foe. They should instruct their children
when they go out and when they come in, when they rise up, and when
they sit down, giving line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little
and there a little.
The mother’s work commences with the infant. She should subdue
the will and temper of her child, and bring it into subjection, teach it
to obey. As the child grows older, relax not the hand. Every mother
should take time to reason with her children, to correct their errors,
and patiently teach them the right way. Christian parents should know
that they are instructing and fitting their children to become children of
God. The entire religious experience of the children is influenced by
the instructions given, and the character formed, in childhood. If the
will is not then subdued and made to yield to the will of the parents, it
will be a difficult task to learn the lesson in after years. What a severe
struggle, what a conflict, to yield that will which never was subdued,
to the requirements of God! Parents who neglect this important work
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commit a great error, and sin against their poor children and against
God.
Children who are under strict discipline will at times have dissat-
isfied feelings. They will become impatient under restraint, and will
wish to have their own way, and go and come as they please. Especially
from the age of ten to eighteen, they will often feel that there would be
no harm in going to picnics and other gatherings of young associates;
yet their experienced parents can see danger. They are acquainted with
the peculiar temperaments of their children and know the influence
of these things upon their minds, and from a desire for their salvation
keep them back from these exciting amusements. When these children
decide for themselves to leave the pleasures of the world and become
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