54
Fundamentals of Christian Education
divine aid, can make them. This work, with all its importance and
responsibility, they have accepted, in that they have brought children
into the world.
Parents must see that their own hearts and lives are controlled by
the divine precepts, if they would bring up their children in the nurture
and admonition of the Lord. They are not authorized to fret and scold
and ridicule. They should never taunt their children with perverse traits
of character, which they themselves have transmitted to them. This
mode of discipline will never cure the evil. Parents, bring the precepts
of God’s word to admonish and reprove your wayward children. Show
them a “thus saith the Lord” for your requirements. A reproof which
comes as the word of God is far more effective than one falling in
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harsh, angry tones from the lips of parents.
Wherever it seems necessary to deny the wishes or oppose the will
of a child, he should be seriously impressed with the thought that this
is not done for the gratification of the parents, or to indulge arbitrary
authority, but for his own good. He should be taught that every fault
uncorrected will bring unhappiness to himself, and will displease God.
Under such discipline, children will find their greatest happiness in
submitting their own will to the will of their Heavenly Father.
Some parents—and some teachers, as well—seem to forget that
they themselves were once children. They are dignified, cold, and
unsympathetic. Wherever they are brought in contact with the young,—
at home, in the day school, the Sabbath school, or the church,—they
maintain the same air of authority, and their faces habitually wear a
solemn, reproving expression. Childish mirth or waywardness, the
restless activity of the young life, finds no excuse in their eyes. Tri-
fling misdemeanors are treated as grave sins. Such discipline is not
Christlike. Children thus trained fear their parents or teachers, but do
not love them; they do not confide to them their childish experiences.
Some of the most valuable qualities of mind and heart are chilled to
death, as a tender plant before the wintry blast.
Smile, parents; smile, teachers. If your heart is sad, let not your
face reveal the fact. Let the sunshine from a loving, grateful heart light
up the countenance. Unbend from your iron dignity, adapt yourselves
to the children’s needs, and make them love you. You must win their
affection, if you would impress religious truth upon their heart.