312
Child Guidance
from their very infancy, and they may hope for success. It will pay
you, mothers, to use the precious hours which are given you of God in
forming, developing, and training the characters of your children, and
in teaching them to strictly adhere to the principles of temperance in
eating and drinking
Instruction in this line should be given in every school and in every
home. The youth and children should understand the effect of alcohol,
tobacco, and other like poisons in breaking down the body, beclouding
the mind, and sensualizing the soul. It should be made plain that no
one who uses these things can long possess the full strength of his
physical, mental, or moral faculties
[409]
Make Plain the Effect of Small Deviations—It is the beginnings
of evil that should be guarded against. In the instruction of the youth
the effect of apparently small deviations from the right should be made
very plain.... Let the youth be impressed with the thought that they
are to be masters, and not slaves. Of the kingdom within them God
has made them rulers, and they are to exercise their Heaven-appointed
kingship. When such instruction is faithfully given, the results will
extend far beyond the youth themselves. Influences will reach out that
will save thousands of men and women who are on the very brink of
ruin
Build Moral Stamina to Resist Temptation—Individual effort
on the right side is needed to subdue the growing evil of intemperance.
Oh, that we could find words that would melt and burn their way into
the heart of every parent in the land
Parents may lay for their children the foundation for a healthy,
happy life. They may send them forth from their homes with moral
stamina to resist temptation, and courage and strength to wrestle suc-
cessfully with life’s problems. They may inspire in them the purpose
and develop the power to make their lives an honor to God and a bless-
ing to the world. They may make straight paths for their feet, through
sunshine and shadow, to the glorious heights above
27
Testimonies For The Church 3:567
.
28
Education, 202
.
29
Education, 203, 204
.
30
Pacific Health Journal, May, 1890
.
31
The Ministry of Healing, 352
.