352
Child Guidance
The tables that parents usually prepare for their children are a snare to
them
Indulgent parents do not teach their children self-denial. The very
food they place before them is such as to irritate the stomach. The
excitement thus produced is communicated to the brain, and as a result
the passions are aroused. It cannot be too often repeated that whatever
[461]
is taken into the stomach affects not only the body, but ultimately the
mind as well. Gross and stimulating food fevers the blood, excites
the nervous system, and too often dulls the moral perceptions, so that
reason and conscience are overborne by the sensual impulses. It is
difficult, and often well-nigh impossible, for one who is intemperate in
diet to exercise patience and self-control. Hence the special importance
of allowing children, whose characters are yet unformed, to have only
such food as is healthful and unstimulating. It was in love that our
heavenly Father sent the light of health reform to guard against the
evils that result from unrestrained indulgence of appetite
If ever there was a time when the diet should be of the most simple
kind, it is now. Meat should not be placed before our children. Its
influence is to excite and strengthen the lower passions and has a
tendency to deaden the moral powers
Cleanliness Important—Frequent bathing is very beneficial, es-
pecially at night, just before retiring, or upon rising in the morning. It
will take but a few moments to give the children a bath and to rub them
until their bodies are in a glow. This brings the blood to the surface,
relieving the brain; and there will be less inclination to indulge in
impure practices. Teach the little ones that God is not pleased to see
them with unclean bodies and untidy, torn garments. Tell them that
He wants them to be pure without and within, that He may dwell with
them
Clean, Loose-fitting Clothing—Having the clothing neat and
clean will be one means of keeping the thoughts pure and sweet.
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Every article of dress should be plain and simple, without unnecessary
adornment, so that it will be but little work to wash and iron it. Es-
pecially should every article which comes in contact with the skin be
9
Testimonies For The Church 2:400
.
10
Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 134
.
11
Testimonies For The Church 2:352
.
12
Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 141, 142
.