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Chapter 3—Formation of Behavior Patterns
Begin With Infancy
—Let parents begin a crusade against in-
temperance at their own firesides, in their own families, in the prin-
ciples they teach their children to follow from their very infancy,
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and they may hope for success.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:567
.
Diligently Teach
—Teach your children from the cradle to prac-
tice self-denial and self-control.... Impress upon their tender minds
the truth that God does not design that we should live for present
gratification merely, but for our ultimate good. Teach them that to
yield to temptation is weak and wicked; to resist, noble and manly.
These lessons will be as seed sown in good soil, and they will bear
fruit that will make your hearts glad.—
The Ministry of Healing, 386
.
Importance of an Early Start
—Too much importance cannot
be placed upon 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 afteryears.—
The
Ministry of Healing, 380
.
Far-Reaching Influence of Early Habits
—The character is
formed, to a great extent, in early years. The habits then estab-
lished have more influence than any natural endowment, in making
men either giants or dwarfs in intellect; for the very best talents may,
through wrong habits, become warped and enfeebled. The earlier in
life one contracts hurtful habits, the more firmly will they hold their
victim in slavery, and the more certainly will they lower his standard
of spirituality.—
Counsels on Health, 112, 113
.
Difficult to Unlearn Established Habits
—It is a most difficult
matter to unlearn the habits which have been indulged through life.
The demon of intemperance is of giant strength, and is not easily con-
quered.... It will pay you, mothers, to use the precious hours which
are given you by God in forming the character of your children, and
in teaching them to adhere strictly to the principles of temperance in
eating and drinking.—
Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 79
.
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