Fragments
175
Success in this life, success in gaining the future life, depends upon
a faithful, conscientious attention to the little things. Perfection is seen
in the least, no less than in the greatest, of the works of God. The hand
that hung the worlds in space is the hand that wrought with delicate
skill the lilies of the field. And as God is perfect in his sphere, so we are
to be perfect in ours. The symmetrical structure of a strong, beautiful
character is built up by individual acts of duty. And faithfulness should
characterize our life in the least as well as in the greatest of its details.
Integrity in little things, the performance of little acts of fidelity and
little deeds of kindness, will gladden the path of life; and when our
work on earth is ended, it will be found that every one of the little
duties faithfully performed, has exerted an influence for good,—an
influence that can never perish.
[218]
The youth of our time may become as precious in the sight of God
as was Samuel. By faithfully maintaining their Christian integrity,
they may exert a strong influence in the work of reform. Such men
are needed at this time. God has a work for every one of them. Never
did men achieve greater results for God and humanity than may be
achieved in this our day by those who will be faithful to their God-
given trust.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 572-574
.
Responsibility to Restrain Children.—God held Eli, as a priest and
judge of Israel, accountable for the moral and religious standing of his
people, and in a special sense for the character of his sons. He should
first have attempted to restrain evil by mild measures; but if these did
not avail, he should have subdued the wrong by the severest means.
He incurred the Lord’s displeasure by not reproving sin and executing
justice upon the sinner. He could not be depended upon to keep Israel
pure. Those who have too little courage to reprove wrong, or who
through indolence or lack of interest make no earnest effort to purify
the family or the church of God, are held accountable for the evil that
may result from their neglect of duty. We are just as responsible for
evils that we might have checked in others by exercise of parental or
pastoral authority, as if the acts had been our own.
Eli did not manage his household according to God’s rules for
family government. He followed his own judgment. The fond father
overlooked the faults and sins of his sons in their childhood, flattering
himself that after a time they would outgrow their evil tendencies.
Many are now making a similar mistake. They think they know a