Christian Father and Mother
189
exercised in wisdom, in all kindness and gentleness; so let the husband
exercise his power and imitate the great Head of the church
Parents, Labor Together for Your Children’s Salvation
Could the veil be withdrawn and father and mother see as God sees
the work of the day, and see how His infinite eye compares the work of
the one with that of the other, they would be astonished at the heavenly
revelation. The father would view his labors in a more modest light,
while the mother would have new courage and energy to pursue her
labor with wisdom, perseverance, and patience. Now she knows its
value. While the father has been dealing with the things which must
perish and pass away, the mother has been dealing with developing
minds and character, working not only for time but for eternity
The father’s duty to his children cannot be transferred to the mother.
If she performs her own duty, she has burden enough to bear. Only
by working in unison can the father and mother accomplish the work
which God has committed to their hands.
The father should not excuse himself from his part in the work of
educating his children for life and immortality. He must share in the
responsibility. There is obligation for both father and mother. There
must be love and respect manifested by the parents for one another, if
they would see these qualities developed in their children.
The father of boys should come into close contact with his sons,
giving them the benefit of his larger experience and talking with them
in such simplicity and tenderness that he binds them to his heart. He
should let them see that he has their best interest, their happiness, in
view all the time.
He who has a family of boys must understand that, whatever his
calling, he is never to neglect the souls placed in his care. He has
brought these children into the world and has made himself responsible
to God to do everything in his power to keep them from unsanctified
associations, from evil companionship. He should not leave his restless
boys wholly to the care of the mother. This is too heavy a burden for
her. He must arrange matters for the best interests of the mother and
the children. It may be very hard for the mother to exercise self-control
188
The Adventist Home, 212-215
189
The Adventist Home, 233