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Teach the Source of True Happiness, September 14
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will
not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
.
By their neglect to exercise proper restraint, many parents are creating
great unhappiness for their children. The youth who are left to constantly
seek for pleasure in amusement or selfish gratification are not happy, and
never can be happy while following this course. Fathers and mothers,
teach your children that the only way to be truly happy is to love and fear
God; and enforce the lesson by your example. Let them see that the peace
of Christ is ruling in your heart, and that His love pervades your life.
Will you consecrate your own hearts to God, that you may exert a
sanctifying influence upon your children? Will you separate them from
sin and sinners, and by living faith connect them with God? It should
be the work of every parent to cultivate all that is good, and true, and
noble in his children. It is his duty to correct their faults, to restrain their
waywardness....
Make the Word of God your guide in the education of your children,
ever considering what will be for their future good.... The mother may
bestow upon her daughters an education that will be invaluable, by training
them to bear their share of the family burdens. The father may give his
sons a capital of more worth than gold or lands, by teaching them to love
useful employment, instead of seeking happiness in idle amusements or
dissipation. Parents, now is the time to form in your children habits of
industry, self-reliance, and self-control; to cultivate economy and business
tact. Now is the time to teach them courtesy and benevolence toward their
fellow men, and reverence and love for God.... Home should be the most
sunny and attractive spot on earth; and it may be made such by pleasant
words and kind acts, and, underlying all, a steadfast adherence to the
right....
Let us withhold nothing from Him who gave His precious life for us.
Fathers and mothers, bring to Him your children, in the freshness and
bloom of youth, and devote them to His service.
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