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The Ministry of Healing
The home is the child’s first school, and it is here that the founda-
tion should be laid for a life of service. Its principles are to be taught
not merely in theory. They are to shape the whole life training.
“And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee
the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast
sent.”
John 17:3
.
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Very early the lesson of helpfulness should be taught the child.
As soon as strength and reasoning power are sufficiently developed,
he should be given duties to perform in the home. He should be
encouraged in trying to help father and mother, encouraged to deny
and to control himself, to put other’s happiness and convenience
before his own, to watch for opportunities to cheer and assist brothers
and sisters and playmates, and to show kindness to the aged, the
sick, and the unfortunate. The more fully the spirit of true ministry
pervades the home, the more fully it will be developed in the lives
of the children. They will learn to find joy in service and sacrifice
for the good of others.
The Work of the School
The home training should be supplemented by the work of the
school. The development of the whole being, physical, mental, and
spiritual, and the teaching of service and sacrifice, should be kept
constantly in view.
Above any other agency, service for Christ’s sake in the little
things of everyday experience has power to mold the character and
to direct the life into lines of unselfish ministry. To awaken this
spirit, to encourage and rightly to direct it, is the parents’ and the
teacher’s work. No more important work could be committed to
them. The spirit of ministry is the spirit of heaven, and with every
effort to develop and encourage it angels will co-operate.
Such an education must be based upon the word of God. Here
only are its principles given in their fullness. The Bible should
be made the foundation of study and of teaching. The essential
knowledge is a knowledge of God and of Him whom He has sent.
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