Thoughts on Education
47
will rather restrain the too active mind until the physical constitution
has become strong enough to sustain mental effort.
That the youth may have health and cheerfulness, which are de-
pendent upon normal physical and mental development, care must be
given to the proper regulation of study, labor, and amusement. Those
who are closely confined to study to the neglect of physical exercise,
are injuring the health by so doing. The circulation is unbalanced,
the brain having too much blood and the extremities too little. Their
studies should be restricted to a proper number of hours, and then time
should be given to active labor in the open air.
Little children should be permitted to run and play out of doors,
enjoying the fresh, pure air, and the life-giving sunshine. Let the
[61]
foundation of a strong constitution be laid in early life. Parents should
be the only teachers of their children, until they are eight or ten years
of age. Let the mother have less care for the artificial, let her refuse
to devote her powers to the slavery of fashionable display, and find
time to cultivate in herself and her children a love for the beautiful
things of nature. Let her point them to the glories spread out in the
heavens, to the thousand forms of beauty that adorn the earth, and then
tell them of Him who made them all. Thus she can lead their young
minds up to the Creator, and awaken in their hearts reverence and love
for the Giver of every blessing. The fields and hills—nature’s audience
chamber—should be the schoolroom for little children. Her treasures
should be their textbook. The lessons thus imprinted upon their minds
will not be soon forgotten.
God’s works in nature have lessons of wisdom and gifts of healing
for all. The ever-varying scenes of the recurring seasons constantly
present fresh tokens of His glory, His power, and His love. Well were
it for older students, while they labor to acquire the arts and learning
of men, to also seek more of the wisdom of God,—to learn more of
the divine laws, both natural and moral. In obedience to these are life
and happiness, in this world and in the world to come.—
The Review
and Herald, January 10, 1882
.
For Additional Reading
1882, Feb. 28 Should Christians Dance — Review & Herald?
1882, Parental Responsibility — Test., Vol. V, pp. 319—323 1882,