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The Adventist Home
never in the presence of their children criticize each other’s plans and
judgment.
If the mother is inexperienced in the knowledge of God, she should
reason from cause to effect, finding out whether her discipline is of
a nature to increase the difficulties of the father as he labors for the
salvation of the children. Am I following the way of the Lord? This
should be the all-important question
If parents do not agree, let them absent themselves from the pres-
ence of their children until an understanding can be arrived at
Too often the parents are not united in their family government.
The father, who is with his children but little, and is ignorant of their
peculiarities of disposition and temperament, is harsh and severe. He
does not control his temper, but corrects in passion. The child knows
this, and instead of being subdued, the punishment fills him with anger.
[315]
The mother allows misdemeanors to pass at one time for which she
will severely punish at another. The children never know just what
to expect, and are tempted to see how far they can transgress with
impunity. Thus are sown seeds of evil that spring up and bear fruit
If parents are united in this work of discipline, the child will un-
derstand what is required of him. But if the father, by word or look,
shows that he does not approve of the discipline the mother gives; if
he feels that she is too strict and thinks that he must make up for the
harshness by petting and indulgence, the child will be ruined. He will
soon learn that he can do as he pleases. Parents who commit this sin
against their children are accountable for the ruin of their souls
The angels look with intense interest upon every family, to see
how the children are treated by parents, guardians, or friends. What
strange mismanagement they witness in a family where father and
mother are at variance! The tones of the voice of father and mother,
their looks, their words—all make it manifest that they are not united
in the management of their children. The father casts reflections upon
the mother and leads the children to hold in disrespect the mother’s
tenderness and affection for the little ones. The mother thinks she is
compelled to give large affection to the children, to gratify and indulge
7
Manuscript 79, 1901
.
8
The Review and Herald, March 30, 1897
.
9
The Signs of the Times, March 11, 1886
.
10
The Review and Herald, June 27, 1899
.