62
Child Guidance
desire to do evil, the hatred of holy things, are some of the difficulties
that parents must meet in the home mission field....
In the strength of God, parents must arise and command their
households after them. They must learn to repress wrong with a firm
hand, yet without impatience or passion. They should not leave the
children to guess at what is right, but should point out the way in
unmistakable terms and teach them to walk therein
Influence of One Disobedient Child—One disobedient child will
do great harm to those with whom he associates, for he will fashion
other children after his own pattern
Winking at Sin—Teach your children to honor you, because the
law of God lays this duty upon children. If you allow your children
to lightly esteem your wishes and pay no regard to the laws of the
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household, you are winking at sin; you are permitting the devil to work
as he will; and the same insubordination, want of reverence, and love
of self will be carried with them even into the religious life and into
the church. And the beginning of all this evil is charged in the books
of heaven to the neglect of the parents
Habit of Obedience Established by Repetition.—Lessons on
obedience, on respect for authority, need to be often repeated. This
kind of work done in the family will be a power for good, and not only
will the children be restrained from evil and constrained to love truth
and righteousness, but parents will be equally benefited. This kind of
work which the Lord requires cannot be done without much serious
contemplation on their part, and much study of the Word of God, in
order that they may instruct according to His directions
[89]
[90]
10
The Review and Herald, May 4, 1886
.
11
The Review and Herald, March 13, 1894
.
12
The Review and Herald, April 14, 1885
.
13
Manuscript 24b, 1894
.