356
The Adventist Home
oyster supper or some similar indulgence, and thus place themselves
in the way of temptation. The very atmosphere of these resorts is
redolent with blasphemy and pollution. No one can long remain in it
without becoming corrupted. It is by such associations that promising
youth are becoming inebriates and criminals. The very beginnings of
the evil should be guarded against. Parents, unless you know that their
surroundings are unexceptionable, do not permit your children to go
into the streets after nightfall to engage in outdoor sports or to meet
other boys for amusement. If this rule be rigidly enforced, obedience
to it will become habitual, and the desire to transgress will soon cease
Parents Must Choose the Child’s Associates—Parents should
remember that association with those of lax morals and coarseness
of character will have a detrimental influence upon the youth. If they
fail to choose proper society for their children, if they allow them to
associate with youth of questionable morals, they place them, or permit
them to place themselves, in a school where lessons of depravity are
taught and practiced. They may feel that their children are strong
enough to withstand temptation, but how can they be sure of this? It is
far easier to yield to evil influences than to resist them. Ere they are
aware of it, their children may become imbued with the spirit of their
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associates and may be degraded or ruined
The dangers of the young are greatly increased as they are thrown
into the society of a large number of their own age, of varied character
and habits of life. Under these circumstances many parents are inclined
to relax rather than redouble their own efforts to guard and control
their children
Prayerfully, unitedly, the father and the mother should bear the
grave responsibility of guiding their children aright. Whatever else
they neglect, they should never leave their children free to wander in
paths of sin. Many parents allow children to go and do as they please,
amusing themselves and choosing evil associates. In the judgment
such parents will learn that their children have lost heaven because
they have not been kept under home restraint
4
Fundamentals of Christian Education, 63
.
5
Counsels to Teachers, Parents, and Students, 120
.
6
Ibid., 332
.
7
The Review and Herald, September 8, 1904
.