Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students - Ellen G. White

ecome the inheritance of manhood and
womanhood. The perverted intellect can scarcely
discern between the true and the false.
Parents who truly love Christ will bear witness
to this in a love for their children that will not
indulge, but will work wisely for their highest
good. They will lend every sanctified energy and
ability to the work of saving their children. Instead
of treating them as playthings, they will regard
them as the purchase of Christ, and will teach them
that they are to become the children of God.
Instead of allowing them to indulge evil temper
and selfish desires, they will teach them lessons of
self-restraint. And the children will be happier, far
happier, under proper discipline than if left to do as
their unrestrained impulses suggest. A child’s
truest graces consist in modesty and obedience--in
attentive ears to hear the words of direction, in
willing feet and hands to walk and work in the path
of duty.
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