202
Child Guidance
being a child among them, they would make the children very happy
and would gain their love and win their confidence. And the children
would more quickly learn to respect and love the authority of their
parents and teachers
Seek to Imitate Christ—He [Christ] identified Himself with the
lowly, the needy, and the afflicted. He took little children in His
arms and descended to the level of the young. His large heart of love
could comprehend their trials and necessities, and He enjoyed their
happiness. His spirit, wearied with the bustle and confusion of the
crowded city, tired of association with crafty and hypocritical men,
found rest and peace in the society of innocent children. His presence
never repulsed them. The Majesty of heaven condescended to answer
their questions, and simplified His important lessons to meet their
childish understanding. He planted in their young, expanding minds
the seeds of truth that would spring up and produce a plentiful harvest
in their riper years
[266]
An Errant Youth Who Needed Sympathy—Your letters I have
read with interest and sympathy. I would say your son now needs a
father as he has never needed one before. He has erred; you know
it, and he knows that you know it; and words that you would have
spoken to him in his innocency with safety, and which would not
have produced any bad results, would now seem like unkindness and
be sharp as a knife.... I know that parents feel the shame of the
wrongdoing of a child that has dishonored them very keenly, but does
the erring one wound and bruise the heart of the earthly parent any
more than we as the children of God bruise our heavenly Parent, who
has given us and is still giving us His love, inviting us to return and
repent of our sins and iniquities and He will pardon our transgression?
Do not withdraw your love now. That love and sympathy is needed
now as never before. When others look with coldness and put the
worst construction upon the misdeeds of your boy, should not the
father and mother in pitying tenderness seek to guide his footsteps into
safe paths? I do not know the character of your son’s sins, but I am
safe in saying, whatever they may be, Let no comments from human
lips, no pressure from human actions, of those who think they are
30
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 76, 77
.
31
Testimonies For The Church 4:141
.