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Selected Messages Book 2
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
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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 every 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.
Before the Christian father leaves his home, to go to his labor,
he will gather his family around him, and bowing before God will
commit them to the care of the Chief Shepherd. He will then go forth
to his labor with the love and blessing of his wife, and the love of his
children, to make his heart cheerful through his laboring hours. And
that mother who is aroused to her duty, realizes the obligations resting
upon her to her children in the absence of the father. She will feel that
she lives for her husband and children. By training her children aright,
teaching them habits of temperance and self-control, and in teaching
them their duty to God, she is qualifying them to become useful in the
world, to elevate the standard of morals in society, and to reverence
and obey the law of God. Patiently and perseveringly will the Godly
mother instruct her children, giving them line upon line, and precept
upon precept, not in a harsh, compelling manner, but in love, and in
tenderness will she win them. They will consider her lessons of love,
and will happily listen to her words of instruction.
Instead of sending her children from her presence, that she may
not be troubled with their noise, and be annoyed with the numerous
attentions they would desire, she will feel that her time cannot be better
employed than in soothing, and diverting their restless active minds