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Child Guidance
to repent and believe the truth. If properly instructed, very young
children may have correct views of their state as sinners and of the
way of salvation through Christ
I was referred to the many precious promises on record for those
who seek their Saviour early.
Ecclesiastes 12:1
: “Remember now thy
Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor
the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.”
Proverbs 8:17
: “I love them that love me, and those that seek me early
shall find me.” The great Shepherd of Israel is still saying, “Suffer
little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the
kingdom of heaven.” Teach your children that youth is the best time to
seek the Lord
Direct From Infancy Through Youth—To allow a child to fol-
low his natural impulses is to allow him to deteriorate and to become
proficient in evil. The results of wrong training begin to be revealed
in childhood. In early youth a selfish temper is developed, and as
the youth grows to manhood, he grows in sin. A continual testimony
against parental neglect is borne by children who have been permitted
to follow a course of their own choosing. Such a downward course
can be prevented only by surrounding them with influences that will
counteract evil. From infancy to youth and from youth to manhood, a
child should be under influences for good
Fortify Children for Future Tests—Parents, ask yourselves the
solemn question, “Have we educated our children to yield to paternal
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authority, and thus trained them to obey God, to love Him, to hold His
law as the supreme guide of conduct and life? Have we educated them
to be missionaries for Christ? To go about doing good?” Believing
parents, your children will have to fight decisive battles for the Lord
in the day of conflict; and while they win victories for the Prince of
peace, they may be gaining triumphs for themselves. But if they have
not been brought up in the fear of the Lord; if they have no knowledge
of Christ, no connection with heaven, they will have no moral power,
and they will yield to earthly potentates who have assumed to exalt
20
Testimonies For The Church 1:400
.
21
Testimonies For The Church 1:396, 397
.
22
The Review and Herald, September 15, 1904
.