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The Adventist Home
its tender sensibilities are impressed the marks of unhappiness and
discord. Then, mothers, let your countenance be full of sunshine.
Smile, if you can, and the infant’s mind and heart will reflect the light
of your countenance as the polished plate of an artist portrays the
human features. Be sure, mothers, to have an indwelling Christ so that
on your child’s plastic mind may be impressed the divine likeness
Let There Be No Jarring Note—Allow nothing like strife or
dissension to come into the home. Speak gently. Never raise your
voice to harshness. Keep yourselves calm. Put away faultfinding and
all untruthfulness. Tell the children that you want to help them to
prepare for a holy heaven, where all is peace, where not one jarring
note is heard. Be patient with them in their trials, which may look
small to you but which are large to them
When fathers and mothers are converted, there will be a thorough
conversion of their principles of management. Their thoughts will be
converted; their tongues will be converted....
There will be no loud, angry talking in the home. The words will
be of a character to soothe and bless the hearer.... Take all the ugly
features out of the voice
[437]
We must subdue a hasty temper and control our words, and in this
we shall gain great victories. Unless we control our words and temper,
we are slaves to Satan. We are in subjection to him. He leads us
captive. All jangling and unpleasant, impatient, fretful words are an
offering presented to his satanic majesty. And it is a costly offering,
more costly than any sacrifice we can make for God; for it destroys
the peace and happiness of whole families, destroys health, and is
eventually the cause of forfeiting an eternal life of happiness
Shall the Words Cause Sunshine or Shadow?—It is important
that children and youth should be trained to guard their words and
deeds; for their course of action causes sunshine or shadow, not only in
their own home, but also with all with whom they come in contact
Unhappiness is often caused by an unwise use of the talent of
speech. The word of God does not authorize anyone to speak harshly,
11
The Review and Herald, September 8, 1904
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12
Manuscript 14, 1905
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13
Letter 75, 1898
.
14
Testimonies For The Church 1, 310
.
15
The Youth’s Instructor, November 5, 1896
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