An Ever-widening Circle, September 28

The Home That Endures

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6.FLB 277.1

Fathers and mothers should feel that a duty devolves upon them to guide the affections of the youth, that they may be placed upon those who will be suitable companions. They should ... so mold the character of the children from their earliest years that they will be pure and noble, and will be attracted to the good and true....FLB 277.2

True love is a high and holy principle, altogether different in character from that love which is awakened by impulse, and which suddenly dies when severely tested. It is by faithfulness to duty in the parental home that the youth are to prepare themselves for homes of their own. Let them here practice self-denial, and manifest kindness, courtesy, and Christian sympathy. Thus love will be kept warm in the heart, and he who goes out from such a household to stand at the head of a family of his own, will know how to promote the happiness of her whom he has chosen as a companion for life.^{147Patriarchs and Prophets, 176.}FLB 277.3

Fathers and mothers, you are to build up in this life characters which will help you to fit your children for the future, immortal life, which will help them to form such characters that you will not be ashamed to see them, as parents, taking the charge of their own children, and transferring to them your own attributes.^{148Letter 75, 1898.}FLB 277.4

Let those who are contemplating marriage weigh every sentiment and watch every development of character in the one with whom they think to unite their life destiny.^{149The Ministry of Healing, 359.}FLB 277.5

Take God and your God-fearing parents into your counsel, young friends. Pray over the matter.... The step you are about to take is one of the most important in your life, and should not be taken hastily. While you may love, do not love blindly.^{150Fundamentals of Christian Education, 104.}FLB 277.6

Let every step toward a marriage alliance be characterized by modesty, simplicity, sincerity, and an earnest purpose to please and honor God.^{151The Ministry of Healing, 359.}FLB 277.7