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Chapter 32—The Child
Not only the habits of the mother but the training of the child
were included in the angel’s instruction to Samson’s Hebrew parents.
It was not enough that the child who was to deliver Israel should have
a good legacy at his birth; this was to be followed by careful training.
From infancy he was to be trained to habits of strict temperance.
Similar instruction was given in regard to John the Baptist. Be-
fore the birth of the child, the message sent from heaven to the father
was: “‘You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his
birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink
neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy
Spirit.’”
Luke 1:14, 15
.
On heaven’s record of noble men the Savior declared that no
one was greater than John the Baptist. The work committed to him
demanded not only physical energy and endurance but the highest
qualities of mind and soul. So important was right physical training
as a preparation for this work that the highest angel in heaven was
sent with a message of instruction to the parents of the child.
The directions given concerning the Hebrew children teach us
that nothing which affects the child’s physical well-being is to be
neglected. Nothing is unimportant. Every influence that affects the
health of the body has its bearing upon mind and character.
Nothing is more important than the early training of children.
The lessons learned, the habits formed during the years of infancy
and childhood have more to do with the formation of the character
and the direction of the life than have all the instruction and training
of after years.
Parents need to consider this. They should understand the prin-
ciples that
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underlie the care and training of children. They should be capable
of rearing them in physical, mental, and moral health. Parents
should study the laws of nature. They should become acquainted
with the organism of the human body. They need to understand the
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