310
Child Guidance
ach and has much to do in controlling the physical and moral health of
the children, who are God’s blood-bought property
What a sacred trust is committed to parents, to guard the physical
and moral constitutions of their children, so that the nervous system
may be well balanced, and the soul not be endangered
Our sisters can do much in the great work for the salvation of others
by spreading their tables with only healthful, nourishing food. They
may employ their precious time in educating the tastes and appetites
of their children, in forming habits of temperance in all things, and in
encouraging self-denial and benevolence for the good of others
Negligent Parents Are Responsible—Many parents, to avoid the
task of patiently educating their children to habits of self-denial, in-
dulge them in eating and drinking whenever they please. The desire
to satisfy the taste and to gratify inclination does not lessen with the
increase of years; and these indulged youth, as they grow up, are
governed by impulse, slaves to appetite. When they take their place
in society and begin life for themselves, they are powerless to resist
temptation. In the glutton, the tobacco devotee, ... and the inebriate,
we see the evil results of erroneous education....
When we hear the sad lamentation of Christian men and women
over the terrible evils of intemperance, the questions at once arise:
Who have educated the youth? Who have fostered in them these unruly
appetites? Who have neglected the solemn responsibility of forming
their character for usefulness in this life and for the society of heavenly
angels in the next
[407]
The Real Work Begins at Home—It is in the home that the real
work must begin. The greatest burden rests upon those who have the
responsibility of educating the youth, of forming their character. Here
is a work for mothers, in helping their children to form correct habits
and pure tastes, to develop moral stamina, true moral worth. Teach
them that they are not to be swayed by others, that they are not to
yield to wrong influences, but to influence others for good, to ennoble
and elevate those with whom they associate. Teach them that if they
17
Testimonies For The Church 3:568
.
18
Ibid
.
19
Testimonies For The Church 3:489
.
20
Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 76
.