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that takes him at his word. The mother of Augustine prayed for her
son’s conversion. She saw no evidence that the Spirit of God was
impressing his heart, but she was not discouraged. She laid her finger
upon the texts, presenting before God his own words, and pleaded as
only a mother can. Her deep humiliation, her earnest importunities,
her unwavering faith, prevailed, and the Lord gave her the desire of
her heart. Today he is just as ready to listen to the petitions of his
people. His “hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear
heavy, that it cannot hear;” [
Isaiah 59:1
.] and if Christian parents seek
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him earnestly, he will fill their mouths with arguments, and, for his
name’s sake, will work mightily in their behalf in the conversion of
their children.—“Testimony,” No. 32, pp. 75-79.
If parents would place themselves in the position of the teachers,
and see how difficult it must necessarily be to manage and discipline a
school of hundreds of students of every grade and class of minds, they
might upon reflection see things differently. They should consider that
some children have never been disciplined at home.
Having always been indulged, and never trained to obedience, it
would be greatly for their advantage to be removed from their injudi-
cious parents, and placed under as severe regulations and drilling as
soldiers in an army. Unless something shall be done for these children
who have been so sadly neglected by unfaithful parents, they will never
be accepted of Jesus; unless some power of control shall be brought to
bear upon them, they will be worthless in this life, and will have no
part in the future life.
In heaven there is perfect order, perfect obedience, perfect peace
and harmony. Those who have had no respect for order or discipline
in this life, would have no respect for the order which is observed in
heaven. They can never be admitted into heaven, for all worthy of an
entrance there will love order and respect discipline. The characters
formed in this, will determine the future life. When Christ shall
come, he will not change the character of any individual. Precious,
probationary time is given to be improved in washing our robes of
character, and making them white in the blood of the Lamb.
To remove the stains of sin requires the work of a lifetime. Every
day renewed efforts in restraining and denying self are needed. Every
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day there are new battles to fight, and victories to be gained. Every
day the soul should be called out in earnest pleading with God for the