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Christian Education
occasion for the exercise of patience and forbearance; but through love
and self-discipline, all may be bound together in the closest union.
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True love is a high and holy principle, altogether different in charac-
ter from that love which is awakened by impulse, and which suddenly
dies when severely tested. It is by faithfulness to duty in the parental
home that the youth are to prepare themselves for homes of their own.
Let them here practice self-denial, and manifest kindness, courtesy,
and Christian sympathy. Thus, love will be kept warm in the heart, and
he who goes out from such a household to stand at the head of a family
of his own, will know how to promote the happiness of her whom he
has chosen as a companion for life. Marriage, instead of being the
end of love, will be only its beginning.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 175,
176
.
Instruction to Parents.—God chose Abraham as the father of the
faithful, because he knew that he would cultivate home religion, and
cause the fear of the Lord to be the atmosphere of his dwelling-place.
The Lord knew that there would be on the part of Abraham no betraying
of sacred trusts; but that he would worship the Lord, and him only
would he serve. He knew that his faithful servant would lead his
household forward and upward, and influence them to keep the statutes
of Jehovah. Abraham did not cherish a blind affection for his family;
but by the combined influence of affection and authority, he ruled his
home. God’s will was made paramount. He feared the Lord with all
his house.
Those who have neglected this important work in the home, and
have failed to command their children and their households after them
to keep the way of the Lord, should now seek to redeem the time.
Let parents take their Bibles, and search that they may understand
what are the requirements of God in regard to their children. Let them
seek to understand what is included in parental duty. The word of
God must be our rule in conducting our family affairs; and neither the
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waywardness of children nor the press of business, should be looked
upon as an excuse for neglect in following the counsel of God. Let
parents set before their children a worthy example in personal piety,
honoring the house of God and respecting his service. The want of
home religion is felt in every branch of God’s work, and the necessity
of cultivating personal piety in the home should be continually kept
before the people. They should have instruction, line upon line and