380
Child Guidance
now and then, will be more helpful than to give all the instruction
at once. Long speeches tire the minds of the young. Too much talk
will lead them even to loathe spiritual instruction, just as overeating
burdens the stomach and lessens the appetite, leading to a loathing for
food
The Evenings Are Precious Seasons—The home should be made
a school of instruction rather than a place of monotonous drudgery.
The evenings should be cherished as precious seasons, to be devoted
to the instruction of the children in the way of righteousness
Recount God’s Promises—We need to recognize the Holy Spirit
as our enlightener. That Spirit loves to address the children and dis-
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cover to them the treasures and beauties of the Word. The promises
spoken by the great Teacher will captivate the senses and animate the
soul of the child with a spiritual power that is divine. There will grow
in the receptive mind a familiarity with divine things which will be as
a barricade against the temptations of the enemy
Make Religious Instruction Pleasant—Religious instruction
should be given to children from their earliest years. It should be
given, not in a condemnatory spirit, but in a cheerful, happy spirit.
Mothers need to be on the watch constantly, lest temptation shall come
to the children in such a form as not to be recognized by them. The
parents are to guard their children with wise, pleasant instruction. As
the very best friends of these inexperienced ones, they should help
them in the work of overcoming, for it means everything to them to
be victorious. They should consider that their own dear children who
are seeking to do right are younger members of the Lord’s family, and
they should feel an intense interest in helping them to make straight
paths in the King’s highway of obedience. With loving interest they
should teach them day by day what it means to be children of God and
to yield the will in obedience to Him. Teach them that obedience to
God involves obedience to their parents. This must be a daily, hourly
work. Parents, watch, watch and pray, and make your children your
companions
7
Gospel Workers, 208, 209
.
8
Counsels on Sabbath School Work, 48
.
9
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 172
.
10
Testimonies For The Church 6:93, 94
.