Parental Responsibility
117
that of a carpenter, and He labored with His hands to do His part in
sustaining the family. For thirty years He was subject to His parents.
The life of Christ points out our duty to be diligent in labor, and to
provide for those intrusted to our care.
In His lessons of instruction to His disciples, Jesus taught them
that His kingdom is not a worldly kingdom, where all are striving
for the highest position; but He gave them lessons in humility and
self-sacrifice for the good of others. His humility did not consist in a
low estimate of His own character and qualifications, but in adapting
Himself to fallen humanity, in order to raise them up with Him to a
higher life. Yet how few see anything attractive in the humility of
Christ! Worldlings are constantly striving to exalt themselves one
above another; but Jesus, the Son of God, humbled Himself in order
to uplift man. The true disciple of Christ will follow His example.
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Would that the mothers of this generation might feel the sacredness
of their mission, not trying to vie with their wealthy neighbors in
appearance, but seeking to honor God by the faithful performance of
duty. If right principles in regard to temperance were implanted in the
youth who are to form and mold society, there would be little necessity
for temperance crusades. Firmness of character, moral control, would
prevail, and in the strength of Jesus the temptations of these last days
would be resisted.
It is a most difficult matter to unlearn the habits which have been
indulged through life. The demon of intemperance is of giant strength,
and is not easily conquered. But if parents begin the crusade against
it at their own firesides, in their own families, in the principles they
teach their children from very infancy, then they may hope for success.
It will pay you, mothers, to use the precious hours which are given
you by God in forming the characters of your children, and in teaching
them to adhere strictly to the principles of temperance in eating and
drinking.
A sacred trust is committed to parents, to guard the physical and
moral constitutions of their children, so that the nervous system may
be well balanced, and the soul not endangered. Fathers and mothers
should understand the laws of life, that they may not, through igno-
rance, allow wrong tendencies to develop in their children. The diet
affects both physical and moral health. How carefully, then, should
mothers study to supply the table with most simple, healthful food, in