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Christian Education
mighty victories of the cross. Parents should neglect no duty on their
part to benefit their children. They should so train them that they will
be a blessing to society here, and may reap the reward of eternal life
hereafter.—“Testimony,” No. 29, first published in 1880.
Lose no opportunity of helping the children to become intelligent
in the understanding of the Scriptures. This will do more to bar the way
against Satan’s devices than we can now imagine. If they early become
familiar with the truths of God’s word, a barrier against ungodliness
will be erected, and they will be able to meet the foe with Christ’s
words, “It is written.” There is a great work to be done for the youth
and children; and every son and daughter of God may act a part in it,
and thus be partakers of the reward that will be given to the faithful
workers.—
Gospel Workers, 406
.
Parents should encourage their children to confide in them, and un-
burden to them their heart griefs, their little daily annoyances and trials.
Thus the parents can learn to sympathize with their children, and can
pray with and for them, that God would shield and guide them. They
should point them to their never-failing Friend and Counselor, who
will be touched with the feeling of their infirmities, who was tempted
in all points like as we are, yet without sin. Satan tempts children to
be reserved with their parents, and to choose as their confidants their
young and inexperienced companions. Children would be saved from
many evils if they would be more familiar with their parents. Parents
should encourage in their children a disposition to be open and frank
with them, to come to them with their difficulties, and when they are
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perplexed as to what course is right, to lay the matter, just as they view
it, before their parents, and ask their advice.—“Testimony,” No. 10.
Parental Training.—Children are what their parents make them,
by their instruction, discipline, and example. Hence the overwhelming
importance of parental faithfulness in training the young for the service
of God. Children should early be taught the sacredness of religious
obligations. This is a most important part of their education. Our duty
to God should be performed before any other. The strict observance
of God’s law, from principle, should be taught and enforced. “For
he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known
to their children: that the generation to come might know them, even
the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them