328
The Adventist Home
stroke, was a patient at “Our Home,” in Dansville, New York. The
doctor in charge of the institution regarded religion as a depressing
influence and encouraged his patients to participate in various amuse-
ments for the purpose of making them cheerful. Mrs. White was
solicited by one of the attendants to make a subscription for a dance
and invited to bury her sorrows by attending. The words above in-
dicate the nature of her reply to the suggestion.
]—Do you ever see
me gloomy, desponding, complaining? I have a faith which forbids
this. It is a misconception of the true ideal of Christian character
and Christian service that leads to these conclusions. It is the want
of genuine religion that produces gloom, despondency, and sadness.
Earnest Christians seek to imitate Jesus, for to be Christians is to be
Christlike. It will be really essential to have correct conceptions of
Christ’s life, Christ’s habits, that His principles may be reproduced in
us who would be Christlike.
A half service, loving the world, loving self, loving frivolous
amusements, makes a timid, cowardly servant; he follows Christ a
great way off. A hearty, willing service to Jesus produces a sunny
religion. Those who follow Christ the most closely have not been
gloomy. In Christ is light and peace and joy forevermore. We need
more Christ and less worldliness, more Christ and less selfishness
[432]
Walk as Children of Light—It is not the will of God that we
should be gloomy or impatient, nor that we should be light and trifling.
It is Satan’s studied plan to push persons from one extreme to the other.
As children of the light, God would have us cultivate a cheerful, happy
spirit, that we may show forth the praises of Him who hath called us
out of darkness into His marvelous light
Winning the Affection of Children—Smile, parents; smile,
teachers. If your heart is sad, let not your face reveal the fact. Let
the sunshine from a loving, grateful heart light up the countenance.
Unbend from your iron dignity, adapt yourselves to the children’s
needs, and make them love you. You must win their affection, if you
would impress religious truth upon their heart
Keep a Pleasant Countenance and Melodious Voice—Parents,
be cheerful, not common and cheap, but be thankful and obedient and
2
Manuscript 1, 1867
.
3
Australasian Union Conference Record, November 1, 1904
.
4
Fundamentals of Christian Education, 68
.