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The Adventist Home
Whatever traits of character she wishes to see developed in them she
must cultivate in herself
Aim Higher Than the World’s Standard—The mother should
not be governed by the world’s opinion, nor labor to reach its standard.
She should decide for herself what is the great end and aim of life and
then bend all her efforts to attain that end. She may, for want of time,
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neglect many things about her house, with no serious evil results; but
she cannot with impunity neglect the proper discipline of her children.
Their defective characters will publish her unfaithfulness. The evils
which she permits to pass uncorrected, the coarse, rough manners, the
disrespect and disobedience, the habits of idleness and inattention, will
reflect dishonor upon her and embitter her life. Mothers, the destiny
of your children rests to a great extent in your hands. If you fail in
duty, you may place them in Satan’s ranks, and make them his agents
to ruin other souls. Or your faithful discipline and godly example may
lead them to Christ, and they in turn will influence others, and thus
many souls may be saved through your instrumentality
Cultivate the Good; Repress the Evil—Parents are to co-operate
with God by bringing their children up in His love and fear. They
cannot displease Him more than by neglecting to train their children
aright.... They are to carefully guard the words and actions of their
little ones, lest the enemy shall gain an influence over them. This he
is intensely desirous of doing, that he may counterwork the purpose
of God. Kindly, interestedly, tenderly, parents are to work for their
children, cultivating every good thing and repressing every evil thing
which develops in the characters of their little ones
The Joy of Work Satisfactorily Done—Children are the heritage
of the Lord, and we are answerable to Him for our management of His
property. The education and training of their children to be Christians
is the highest service that parents can render to God. It is a work that
demands patient labor—a lifelong, diligent, and persevering effort. By
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a neglect of this trust we prove ourselves unfaithful stewards....
14
The Signs of the Times, September 9, 1886
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15
The Signs of the Times, February 9, 1882
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16
Manuscript 49, 1901
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