Chapter 51—Counsel to Children
Seek God Early—Children and youth should begin early to seek
God; for early habits and impressions will frequently exert a powerful
influence upon the life and character. Therefore the youth who would
be like Samuel, John, and especially like Christ, must be faithful in the
things which are least, turning away from the companions who plan
evil and who think that their life in the world is to be one of pleasure
and selfish indulgence. Many of the little home duties are overlooked
as of no consequence; but if the small things are neglected, the larger
duties will be also. You want to be whole men and women, with pure,
sound, noble characters. Begin the work at home; take up the little
duties and do them with thoroughness and exactness. When the Lord
sees you are faithful in that which is least, He will entrust you with
larger responsibilities. Be careful how you build, and what kind of
material you put into the building. The characters you are now forming
will be lasting as eternity.
Let Jesus take possession of your mind, your heart, and your af-
fections; and work as Christ worked, doing conscientiously the home
duties, little acts of self-denial and deeds of kindness, employing the
moments diligently, keeping a careful watch against little sins and
a grateful heart for little blessings, and you will have at last such a
testimony for yourself as was given of John and Samuel, and especially
of Christ: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor
with God and man.
“Give Me Thine Heart.”—The Lord says to the young, “My son,
give Me thine heart.” The Saviour of the world loves to have children
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and youth give their hearts to Him. There may be a large army of
children who shall be found faithful to God, because they walk in the
light as Christ is in the light. They will love the Lord Jesus, and it will
be their delight to please Him. They will not be impatient if reproved,
but will make glad the heart of father and mother by their kindness,
their patience, their willingness to do all they can in helping to bear
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The Youth’s Instructor, November 3, 1886
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