218
The Adventist Home
It is a sin to let children grow up in idleness. Let them exercise their
limbs and muscles, even if it wearies them. If they are not overworked,
how can weariness harm them more than it harms you? There is
quite a difference between weariness and exhaustion. Children need
more frequent change of employment and intervals of rest than grown
persons do; but even when quite young, they may begin learning to
work, and they will be happy in the thought that they are making
themselves useful. Their sleep will be sweet after healthful labor, and
they will be refreshed for the next day’s work
Do Not Say, “My Children Bother Me.”—“Oh,” say some moth-
ers, “my children bother me when they try to help me.” So did mine,
but do you think I let them know it? Praise your children. Teach
them, line upon line, precept upon precept. This is better than reading
novels, better than making calls, better than following the fashions of
the world
[290]
A View of the Pattern—For a period of time the Majesty of
heaven, the King of glory, was only a Babe in Bethlehem and could
only represent the babe in its mother’s arms. In childhood He could
only do the work of an obedient child, fulfilling the wishes of His
parents, in doing such duties as would correspond to His ability as a
child. This is all that children can do, and they should be so educated
and instructed that they may follow Christ’s example. Christ acted in
a manner that blessed the household in which He was found, for He
was subject to His parents and thus did missionary work in His home
life. It is written, “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit,
filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him.” “And Jesus
increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
It is the precious privilege of teachers and parents to co-operate
in teaching the children how to drink in the gladness of Christ’s life
by learning to follow His example. The Saviour’s early years were
useful years. He was His mother’s helper in the home; and He was
just as verily fulfilling His commission when performing the duties of
the home and working at the carpenter’s bench as when He engaged in
His public work of ministry
25
Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 135
.
26
Manuscript 31, 1901
.
27
The Signs of the Times, September 17, 1894
.
28
The Review and Herald, May 6, 1909
.