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Humble Hero
It will lead fathers and mothers to treat their children as they them-
selves would like to be treated.
Parents, in training your children, study the lessons God has
given in nature. If you want to train a rose or lily, how do you do
it? Ask the gardener how he makes every branch and leaf develop
in symmetry and loveliness. He will tell you: it was by no harsh
touch, no violent effort. This would only break the delicate stems. It
was by little attentions, often repeated. He moistened the soil and
protected the growing plants from the fierce winds and scorching
sun, and God caused them to blossom into loveliness. By gentle
touches, seek to fashion the characters of your children after the
pattern of the character of Christ.
Encourage the expression of love toward God and toward one
another. The reason why there are so many hard-hearted men and
women in the world is that true affection has been discouraged and
repressed. Parents and perhaps others stifled the better nature of
these persons in childhood. Unless divine love melts away their cold
selfishness, their happiness will be forever ruined. If we want our
children to possess the tender spirit of Jesus, we must encourage the
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generous, loving impulses of childhood.
Teach the children to see Christ in nature. Take them out into the
open air, under the noble trees, into the garden. In all the wonderful
works of creation, teach them to see His love. He made the laws that
govern all living things, and He has made laws for our happiness
and joy. Do not weary them with long prayers and tiresome lectures,
but through nature’s object lessons teach them to obey the law of
God.
As you try to make plain the truths of salvation, point the children
to Christ as a personal Savior. Angels will be by your side. The Lord
will give grace to fathers and mothers to interest their little ones in
the precious story of the Baby in Bethlehem.
Do not keep the little ones away from Jesus by being cold and
harsh. Never give them cause to feel that heaven will not be a
pleasant place if you are there. Do not speak of religion as something
that children cannot understand. Do not give the false impression
that the religion of Christ is a religion of gloom, and that in coming
to the Savior they must give up everything that makes life joyful.