Chapter 52—Home Government
The Guiding Principle for Parents—Many in the world have
their affections on things that may be good in themselves, but their
minds are satisfied with these things and do not seek the greater and
higher good that Christ desires to give them. Now we must not rudely
seek to deprive them of what they hold dear. Reveal to them the
beauty and preciousness of truth. Lead them to behold Christ and His
loveliness; then they will turn aside from everything that will draw
their affections away from Him. This is the principle upon which
parents should work in the training of their children. By your manner
of dealing with the little ones you can by the grace of Christ mold their
characters for everlasting life
Fathers and mothers should make it their life study that their chil-
dren may become as nearly perfect in character as human effort, com-
bined with divine aid, can make them. This work, with all its impor-
tance and responsibility, they have accepted, in that they have brought
children into the world
Rules Necessary for Government in the Home—Every Chris-
tian home should have rules; and parents should, in their words and
in their deportment toward each other, give to the children a precious
living example of what they desire them to be.... Teach the children
and youth to respect themselves, to be true to God, true to principle;
teach them to respect and obey the law of God. Then these principles
will control their lives and will be carried out in their association with
others
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Bible Principles to Be Followed—There is need for constant
watching that the principles which lie at the foundation of family
government are not disregarded. The Lord designs that the families
on earth shall be symbols of the family in heaven. And when earthly
1
Manuscript 4, 1893
.
2
Fundamentals of Christian Education, 67
.
3
Letter 74, 1896
.
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