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The Crowning Treasure of the Home, September 12
Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy
children like olive plants round about thy table.
Psalm 128:3
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Children and youth are God’s peculiar treasure.
When two compose a family, ... and there are no children to call into
exercise patience, forbearance, and true love, there is need of constant
watchfulness lest selfishness obtain the supremacy, lest you yourselves
become the center, and you require attention, care, and interest, which
you feel under no obligation to bestow upon others.
Care and affection for dependent children removes the roughness
from our natures, makes us tender and sympathetic, and has an influence
to develop the nobler elements of our character.
After the birth of his first son, Enoch reached a higher experience;
he was drawn into a closer relationship with God. He realized more
fully his own obligations and responsibility as a son of God. And as he
saw the child’s love for its father, its simple trust in his protection; as
he felt the deep, yearning tenderness of his own heart for that first-born
son, he learned a precious lesson of the wonderful love of God to men
in the gift of His Son, and the confidence which the children of God
may repose in their heavenly Father.
I have a very tender interest in all children.... I have taken many
children to care for, and I have always felt that association with the
simplicity of childhood was a great blessing to me....
The sympathy, forbearance, and love required in dealing with chil-
dren would be a blessing in any household. They would soften and
subdue set traits of character in those who need to be more cheerful and
restful. The presence of a child in a home sweetens and refines. A child
brought up in the fear of the Lord is a blessing....
Your sons and daughters are younger members of God’s family. He
has committed them to your care, to train and educate for heaven.
The soul of the little child that believes in Christ is as precious in
His sight as are the angels about His throne.
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