Manual Training
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lawyer asked Jesus, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus
turned the question back upon himself, saying, “What is written in the
law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy
strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” Jesus
said to him, “Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.”
Luke 10:25-28
. It is not a religion of inaction that is here sketched,
but one that requires the energetic use of all the mental and physical
powers.
Mere indolent musing, idle contemplation, is not religion. God
requires us to appreciate our varied endowments, and to multiply them
by constant, practical use. His people are to be models of correctness
in all the relations of life. To every one of us He has given a work to
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do, according to our ability; and it is our privilege to enjoy His blessing
while devoting strength of body and mind to its faithful performance,
with His name’s glory in view.
The approval of God rests with loving assurance upon the children
who cheerfully take their part in the duties of domestic life, sharing
the burdens of father and mother. They will be rewarded with health of
body and peace of mind; and they will enjoy the pleasure of seeing their
parents take their share of social enjoyment and healthful recreation,
thus prolonging their lives. Children trained to the practical duties of
life, will go out from the home to be useful members of society. Their
education is far superior to that gained by close confinement in the
schoolroom at an early age, when neither the mind nor the body is
strong enough to endure the strain.
The children and youth should have the lesson continually before
them, at home and in the school, by precept and example, to be truthful,
unselfish, and industrious. They should not be allowed to spend their
time in idleness; their hands should not be folded in inaction. Parents
and teachers should work for the accomplishment of this object,—the
development of all the powers, and a formation of a right character;
but when parents realize their responsibilities, there will be far less
left for teachers to do in the training of their children.
Heaven is interested in this work in behalf of the young. The
parents and teachers who by wise instruction, in a calm, decided man-
ner, accustom them to think of and care for others, will help them to
overcome their selfishness, and will close the door against many temp-