Ways in Which Character is Ruined
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Molech, but they are to become members of the Lord’s family. Parents
are to be filled with the compassion of Christ, that they may work for
the salvation of the souls that are placed under their influence. They
are not to have their minds all engrossed in the fashions and practices
of the world. They are not to educate their children to attend parties
and concerts and dances, to have and attend feasts, because after this
manner the Gentiles walk
By Permitting Selfish Seeking of Happiness—There are many
youth who might have been a blessing to society and an honor to the
cause of God if they had been started in life with right ideas as to
what constituted success. But instead of being controlled by reason
and principle, they had been trained to yield to wayward inclination,
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and sought only to gratify themselves by indulging in selfish pleasure,
thinking thus to obtain happiness. But they failed to attain their object,
for seeking happiness in the path of selfishness will bring but misery.
They are useless in society, useless in the cause of God. Their prospects
both for this world and the next are of a most discouraging order, for
by selfish love of pleasure they lose both this world and the next
By a Lack of Piety at Home—In professedly Christian homes,
where fathers and mothers would be supposed to be diligent students
of the Scriptures, in order that they might know every specification and
restriction in the Word of God, there is manifest neglect of following
the instruction of the Word and of bringing up the children in the
nurture and admonition of the Lord. Professedly Christian parents
fail to practice piety at home. How can fathers and mothers represent
Christ’s character in the home life when they are content to reach a
cheap, low standard? The seal of the living God will be placed upon
those only who bear a likeness to Christ in character
If Parents Were Obedient to God—The Lord will not vindicate
the misrule of parents. Today hundreds of children swell the ranks of
the enemy, living and working apart from the purpose of God. They
are disobedient, unthankful, unholy; but the sin lies at the door of their
parents. Christian parents, thousands of children are perishing in their
sins because of the failure of their parents to rule the home wisely. If
parents were obedient to the unseen Leader of the armies of Israel,
19
The Review and Herald, March 13, 1894
.
20
The Youth’s Instructor, July 20, 1893
.
21
The Review and Herald, May 21, 1895
.