Family a Missionary Center
371
edge in regard to the treatment of disease—knowledge that would be
a great blessing to those who cannot afford to pay for the physician’s
visits
God Wants Children as Little Missionaries—God wants every
child of tender age to be His child, to be adopted into His family. Young
though they may be, the youth may be members of the household of
faith and have a most precious experience
In their early years children may be useful in God’s work.... He
will give them His grace and His Holy Spirit, that they may overcome
impatience, fretfulness, and all sin. Jesus loves the children. He
has blessings for them, and He loves to see them obedient to their
parents. He desires them to be His little missionaries, denying their
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own inclinations and desires for selfish pleasure to do service for
Him; and this service is just as acceptable to God as is the service of
grown-up children
By precept and example parents are to teach their children to labor
for the unconverted. The children should be so educated that they will
sympathize with the aged and afflicted and will seek to alleviate the
sufferings of the poor and distressed. They should be taught to be
diligent in missionary work; and from their earliest years self-denial
and sacrifice for the good of others and the advancement of Christ’s
cause should be inculcated, that they may be laborers together with
God
Let parents teach their little ones the truth as it is in Jesus. The
children in their simplicity will repeat to their associates that which
they have learned
The Church Has Work for the Youth—Let the overseers of the
church devise plans whereby young men and women may be trained to
put to use their entrusted talents. Let the older members of the church
seek to do earnest, compassionate work for the children and youth. Let
ministers put to use all their ingenuity in devising plans whereby the
younger members of the church may be led to co-operate with them in
missionary work. But do not imagine that you can arouse their interest
6
Manuscript 119, 1901
.
7
Letter 104, 1897
.
8
The Review and Herald, November 17, 1896
.
9
Testimonies For The Church 6: 429
.
10
Manuscript 19, 1900
.