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Messages to Young People
themselves abused; and thus they worry their way through the world,
hardly able to bear their own weight, often murmuring and fretting
because everything does not suit them....
Children should feel that they are indebted to their parents, who
have watched over them in infancy and nursed them in sickness. They
should realize that their parents have suffered much anxiety on their
account. Especially have conscientious, godly parents felt the deepest
interest that their children should take a right course. As they have
seen faults in their children, how heavy have been their hearts. If the
children who caused those hearts to ache could see the effect of their
course, they would certainly relent. If they could see their mother’s
tears, and hear her prayers to God in their behalf, if they could listen
to her suppressed and broken sighs, their hearts would feel, and they
would speedily confess their wrongs and ask to be forgiven....
[337]
Strength for the Conflict
We are living in an unfortunate age for children. A heavy current is
setting downward to perdition, and more than childhood’s experience
and strength is needed to press against this current, and not be borne
down by it. The youth generally seem to be Satan’s captives, and he
and his angels are leading them to certain destruction. Satan and his
hosts are warring against the government of God, and all who have a
desire to yield their hearts to Him and obey His requirements Satan
will try to perplex and overcome with his temptations that they may
become discouraged and give up the warfare....
By earnest prayer and living faith, great victories will be gained.
Some parents have not realized the responsibilities resting upon them,
and have neglected the religious education of their children. In the
morning the Christian’s first thoughts should be upon God. Worldly
labor and self-interest should be secondary. Children should be taught
to respect and reverence the hour of prayer. Before leaving the house
for labor, all the family should be called together, and the father, or
the mother in the father’s absence, should plead fervently with God to
keep them through the day....