Chapter 3—Parental Training
I have been shown that very many of the parents who profess to
believe the solemn message for this time have not trained their children
for God. They have not restrained themselves and have been irritated
with anyone who attempted to restrain them. They have not by living
faith daily bound their children upon the altar of the Lord. Many of
these youth have been allowed to transgress the fourth commandment
by seeking their own pleasure upon God’s holy day. They have felt no
compunctions of conscience in going about the streets on the Sabbath
for their own amusement. Many go where they please and do what
they please, and their parents are so fearful of displeasing them that,
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imitating the management of Eli, they lay no commands upon them.
These youth finally lose all respect for the Sabbath and have no
relish for religious meetings or for sacred and eternal things. If their
parents mildly remonstrate with them, they shield themselves by telling
of the faults of some of the church members. In place of silencing
the first approach to anything of the kind, the parents think just as
their children think; if this one or that one were perfect, their children
would be right. Instead of this they should teach them that the sins
of others are no excuse for them. Christ is the only true pattern. The
wrongs of many would not excuse one wrong in them or lessen in
the least their guilt. God has given them one standard, perfect, noble,
elevated. This they must meet, irrespective of the course which others
may pursue. But many parents seem to lose reason and judgment in
their fondness for their children, and, through these indulged, selfish,
mismanaged youth, Satan in turn works effectually to ruin the parents.
I was referred to the wrath of God which came upon the incredulous
and disobedient of ancient Israel. Their duty to instruct their children
was plainly enjoined upon them. It is just as binding upon believing
parents in this generation. “Give ear, O My people, to My law: incline
your ears to the words of My mouth. I will open My mouth in a
parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: which we have heard and
known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their
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