22
Fundamentals of Christian Education
that patient instruction which they must have to give right direction to
their developing minds.
This lifetime is too short to be squandered in vain and trifling
diversion, in unprofitable visiting, in needless dressing for display,
or in exciting amusements. We cannot afford to squander the time
given us of God in which to bless others, and in which to lay up for
ourselves a treasure in heaven. We have none too much time for the
discharge of necessary duties. We should give time to the culture of
our own hearts and minds, in order that we may be qualified for our
life work. By neglecting these essential duties, and conforming to the
habits and customs of fashionable, worldly society, we do ourselves
and our children a great wrong.
Mothers who have youthful minds to train, and the characters of
children to form, should not seek the excitement of the world in order
to be cheerful and happy. They have an important life work, and they
and theirs cannot afford to spend time in an unprofitable manner. Time
is one of the important talents which God has intrusted to us, and for
which He will call us to account. A waste of time is a waste of intellect.
The powers of the mind are susceptible of high cultivation. It is the duty
of mothers to cultivate their minds, and keep their hearts pure. They
should improve every means within their reach for their intellectual and
moral improvement, that they may be qualified to improve the minds of
their children. Those who indulge their disposition to be in company,
will soon feel restless unless visiting or entertaining visitors. Such
have not the power of adaptation to circumstances. The necessary,
sacred home duties seem commonplace and uninteresting to them.
They have no love for self-examination or self-discipline. The mind
hungers for the varying, exciting scenes of worldly life; children are
neglected for the indulgence of inclination; and the recording angel
writes, “Unprofitable servants.” God designs that our minds should not
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be purposeless, but should accomplish good in this life.
If parents would feel that it is a solemn duty enjoined upon them
of God to educate their children for usefulness in this life; if they
would adorn the inner temple of the souls of their sons and daughters
for the immortal life, we should see a great change in society for
the better. There would not then be manifest so great indifference to
practical godliness, and it would not be so difficult to arouse the moral
sensibilities of children to understand the claims that God has upon