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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
responsible for the use or abuse of the talent lent them of God. Neither
parents nor children are made happier by this transfer of property. And
the parents, if they live a few years even, generally regret this action
on their part. Parental love in their children is not increased by this
course. The children do not feel increased gratitude and obligation to
their parents for their liberality. A curse seems to lay at the root of the
matter, which only crops out in selfishness on the part of the children
and unhappiness and miserable feelings of cramped dependence on
the part of the parents.
If parents, while they live, would assist their children to help them-
selves, it would be better than to leave them a large amount at death.
Children who are left to rely principally upon their own exertions make
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better men and women, and are better fitted for practical life than those
children who have depended upon their father’s estate. The children
left to depend upon their own resources generally prize their abili-
ties, improve their privileges, and cultivate and direct their faculties
to accomplish a purpose in life. They frequently develop characters
of industry, frugality, and moral worth, which lie at the foundation
of success in the Christian life. Those children for whom parents do
the most, frequently feel under the least obligation toward them. The
errors of which we have spoken have existed in-----. Parents have
shifted their stewardship upon their children.
At the camp meeting at-----, 1870, I appealed to those who had
means to use that means in the cause of God as His faithful stewards,
and not leave this work for their children. It is a work which God has
left them to do, and when the Master calls them to account, they can,
as faithful stewards, render to Him that which He has lent them, both
principal and interest.
Brethren X, Y, Z were presented before me. These men were
making a mistake in regard to the appropriation of their means. Some
of their children were influencing them in this work, and were gath-
ering upon their souls responsibilities that they were ill-prepared to
bear. They were opening a door and inviting the enemy to come in
with his temptations to harass and destroy them. The two younger
sons of Brother X were in great danger. They were associating with
individuals of a stamp of character which would not elevate, but would
debase them. The subtle influence of these associations was gaining an
imperceptible influence over these young men. The conversation and