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Christian Education
them, and then, when they choose to change, find these powers fresh
and free for an entirely opposite course.—
Patriarchs and Prophets,
622
.
Nadab and Abihu had not in their youth been trained to habits of
self-control. The father’s yielding disposition, his lack of firmness for
right, had led him to neglect the discipline of his children. His sons had
been permitted to follow inclination. Habits of self-indulgence, long
cherished, obtained a hold upon them which even the responsibility
of the most sacred office had not power to break. They had not been
taught to respect the authority of their father, and they did not realize
the necessity of exact obedience to the requirements of God. Aaron’s
mistaken indulgence of his sons, prepared them to become the subjects
of divine judgments.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 360
.
Instructing Parents.—Those who have no children of their own to
share their thoughts and labor, and to call for the exercise of forbear-
ance, patience, and love, should guard themselves, lest their thoughts
and labor center upon themselves. They are poorly qualified to in-
struct parents as to the training of their children; for they have not had
experience in this work. Yet in very many cases, those who have no
children are the most ready to instruct those who have, when at the
same time, the former make children of themselves in many respects.
They cannot be turned out of a certain course, and they require even
more patience exercised toward them than do children. It is selfish
[228]
to have a certain course marked out, and pursue this course to the
inconvenience of others.—
Gospel Workers, 252
.
Lessons from the Marriage of Isaac.—Isaac was highly honored by
God, in being made inheritor of the promises through which the world
was to be blessed; yet when he was forty years of age, he submitted
to his father’s judgment in appointing his experienced, God-fearing
servant to choose a wife for him. And the result of that marriage,
as presented in the Scriptures, is a tender and beautiful picture of
domestic happiness. “Isaac brought her unto his mother Sarah’s tent,
and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her; and
Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.” [
Genesis 24:67
.]
What a contrast between the course of Isaac and that pursued by
the youth of our time, even among professed Christians! Young people
too often feel that the bestowal of their affections is a matter in which
self alone should be consulted,—a matter that neither God nor their