EGW
[Extract from talk before teachers, Healdsburg, Cal., September, 1901.]
It is of the greatest importance that every family in our churches should understand the value of Christian education. The early training of children is a subject which all should carefully study. We need to make the education of our children a business. As fathers and mothers, we should train and discipline ourselves. Then as teachers in the home, we can educate our children. May the Lord help us to understand that their salvation largely depends upon the education given them in childhood. We are to prepare ourselves and our children for the future immortal inheritance. Advocate March 1, 1902, par. 1
Mothers, it is your privilege to bind your children to your heart with the tenderest and strongest cords of love. During the first few years of the life of Samuel the prophet, his mother carefully taught him to distinguish between good and evil. It was with sorrow and great self-denial that, in fulfillment of her vow to dedicate her son to the service of God, she gave him to Eli, the high priest, to be brought up. But the early training received by Samuel led him to refuse to yield to the evil influences surrounding him in the household of the high priest. Advocate March 1, 1902, par. 2
Many parents allow children to do as they please, amusing themselves, and choosing their own associates. In the judgment such parents will learn that their children have lost heaven because of the lack of proper home restraint. Advocate March 1, 1902, par. 3
Parents, teach your children the way of the Lord. In your morning and evening devotions join with them in reading the Bible and singing beautiful songs of praise. Let them learn to repeat God's law. Concerning the commandments, the Israelites were instructed: “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” In accordance with this command, Moses directed the Israelites to set to music the words of the law. While the older ones played on instruments, the younger children marched, singing in concert the songs of the commandments of God. In later years they retained in their minds the words of the law which they learned during childhood. Advocate March 1, 1902, par. 4
If it was essential for Moses to embody the commandments in sacred song, so that the children should learn to sing the law verse by verse as they marched in the wilderness, how necessary it is today to teach our children the word of God. Let us come up to the help of the Lord, instructing our children to keep the commandments of God to the letter. Let us do everything in our power to make music in our homes, that God can come in. Allow not the discordant music of scolding and fretting. Never exhibit passion. Christian parents will put away every objectionable trait of character, daily learning from the great Teacher wisely to train their children bringing them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Advocate March 1, 1902, par. 5
When the church school teacher tries so to train and discipline your children that they will gain eternal life, do not in their presence criticise his actions, even though you may think he is too severe, too straight-laced. You can not afford to sympathize with them when they are disciplined. If you long for them to give their hearts to Jesus, receiving the light and grace and glory of God, take up in the home the long neglected work of co-operating with the teachers’ efforts for their salvation. Instead of criticism, how much better it is for children to hear from the lips of their mother, sweet and tender and loving words, commending the work of the teacher. Such words make lasting impressions, and in the school-room their influence is manifested in the respect shown to the teacher. Advocate March 1, 1902, par. 6