Responsibilities of Parenthood
191
When I was shown the great need of reform in the education and
training of your children, I was filled with pain that I cannot express,
because I saw that you did not act your part in bringing about the best
good of your children. You need the work of the Spirit of God in your
own heart, for right principles are not governing your life. If you were
right with God, you would not be doing as you have been doing in
reference to your children; you would not present such an example as
you have in their management. You should depend far less upon self
and far more upon Jesus. If you were closely connected with God, you
would rule your children wisely.
Zua [Daniels’ daughter] is impulsive; she lacks experience in
the right direction; she needs to be guided and restrained instead of
being indulged and flattered. If you were discerning, if your souls
were imbued with the sanctifying power of the truth, you would need
no advice in regard to her attending Snell’s Seminary. If you were
asked concerning the daughter of another, you would know just what
course parents should pursue in relation to the education of their
child. You have placed barriers in the way of Zua’s salvation, for
you have yourselves chosen as her associates the vain, the proud, the
unbelieving....
Sister Daniels, you have not met your solemn responsibilities as
a mother ... [when you have] aided your daughter to deceive her
father in regard to her dress and expenditures. Both of you have been
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deceived and carried away with false ideas in regard to the training of
your children. You must be thoroughly transformed by the grace of
Christ, so that you can teach your children, by precept and example,
the good and right way. Zua is full of affectation and deception. She
is superficial in nearly all her attainments. Her school life has given
her an outside polish, but her heart is unrenewed, for she has no love
for God, no love for the society of Christians. She is in the ranks of
the enemy, and should she die today she would not enter the kingdom
of heaven.
Paul [the son] is in no better condition, and your youngest girl is
far from having a lovely character. Your own training is in every way
defective. May the Lord have mercy on you all, that you may not lose
your soul and the souls of your children....
Paul is a boy who has good qualities as well as objectionable traits
of character that have been cultivated and indulged rather than re-