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Child Guidance
in the self-willed child of even but a few months of age. Filled with
spiteful passion, Satan seems to be taking full possession. But there
may be in the house perhaps a grandmother, an aunt, or some other
relative or friend, who will seek to make that parent believe that it
would be cruelty to correct that child; whereas just the opposite is true;
and it is the greatest cruelty to let Satan have the possession of that
tender, helpless child. Satan must be rebuked. His hold on the child
must be broken. If correction is needed, be faithful, be true. The love
of God, true pity for the child, will lead to the faithful discharge of
duty
Perplexities of a Family Community—It is not the best policy for
children of one, two, or three families that are connected by marriage
to settle within a few miles of one another. The influence is not
good on the parties. The business of one is the business of all. The
perplexities and troubles which every family must experience more
or less, and which, as far as possible, should be confined within the
limits of the family circle, are extended to family connections and
have a bearing upon the religious meetings. There are matters which
should not be known to a third person, however friendly and closely
connected he may be. Individuals and families should bear them.
But the close relationship of several families, brought into constant
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intercourse, has a tendency to break down the dignity which should
be maintained in every family. In performing the delicate duty of
reproving and admonishing, there will be danger of injuring feelings,
unless it be done with the greatest tenderness and care. The best
models of character are liable to errors and mistakes, and great care
should be exercised that too much is not made of little things.
Such family and church relationship ... is very pleasant to the
natural feelings; but it is not the best, all things considered, for the
development of symmetrical Christian characters.... All parties would
be much happier to be separated and to visit occasionally, and their
influence upon one another would be tenfold greater.
United as these families are by marriage, and mingling as they do
in one another’s society, each is awake to the faults and errors of the
others, and feels in duty bound to correct them; and because these
relatives are really dear to one another, they are grieved over little
3
The Review and Herald, April 14, 1885
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