Counsel to Children
225
the burdens of daily life. Through childhood and youth they will be
found faithful disciples of our Lord
An Individual Choice to Be Made—Watch and pray, and obtain
a personal experience in the things of God. Your parents may teach
you, they may try to guide your feet into safe paths; but it is impossible
for them to change your heart. You must give your heart to Jesus and
walk in the precious light of truth that He has given you. Faithfully
take up your duties in the home life, and, through the grace of God,
you may grow up unto the full stature of what Christ would have a
child grow to be in Him. The fact that your parents keep the Sabbath,
and obey the truth, will not insure your salvation. For though Noah
and Job and Daniel were in the land, “As I live, saith the Lord God,
they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their
own souls by their righteousness.”
In childhood and youth you may have an experience in the service
of God. Do the things that you know to be right. Be obedient to
your parents. Listen to their counsels; for if they love and fear God,
upon them will be laid the responsibility of educating, disciplining,
and training your soul for the immortal life. Thankfully receive the
help they want to give you, and make their hearts glad by cheerfully
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submitting yourselves to the dictates of their wiser judgments. In this
way you will honor your parents, glorify God, and become a blessing
to those with whom you associate
Fight the battle, children; remember every victory places you above
the enemy
Children to Pray for Help—Children should pray for grace to
resist the temptations which will come to them—temptations to have
their own way and to do their own selfish pleasure. As they ask Christ
to help them in their life service to be truthful, kind, obedient, and to
bear their responsibilities in the family circle, He will hear their simple
prayer
Jesus would have the children and the youth come to Him with the
same confidence with which they go to their parents. As a child asks
2
Messages to Young People, 333
.
3
The Youth’s Instructor, August 17, 1893
.
4
Manuscript 19, 1887
.
5
The Review and Herald, November 17, 1896
.