Chapter 32—The Child
Not only the habits of the mother but the training of the child were included in the angel’s instruction to Samson’s Hebrew parents. It was not enough that the child who was to deliver Israel should have a good legacy at his birth; this was to be followed by careful training. From infancy he was to be trained to habits of strict temperance.MHH 214.1
Similar instruction was given in regard to John the Baptist. Before the birth of the child, the message sent from heaven to the father was: “‘You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit.’” Luke 1:14, 15.MHH 214.2
On heaven’s record of noble men the Savior declared that no one was greater than John the Baptist. The work committed to him demanded not only physical energy and endurance but the highest qualities of mind and soul. So important was right physical training as a preparation for this work that the highest angel in heaven was sent with a message of instruction to the parents of the child.MHH 214.3
The directions given concerning the Hebrew children teach us that nothing which affects the child’s physical well-being is to be neglected. Nothing is unimportant. Every influence that affects the health of the body has its bearing upon mind and character.MHH 214.4
Nothing is more important than the early training of children. The lessons learned, the habits formed during the years of infancy and childhood have more to do with the formation of the character and the direction of the life than have all the instruction and training of after years.MHH 214.5
Parents need to consider this. They should understand the principles thatMHH 214.6
underlie the care and training of children. They should be capable of rearing them in physical, mental, and moral health. Parents should study the laws of nature. They should become acquainted with the organism of the human body. They need to understand the functions of the various organs and their relation and dependence. They should study the relation of the mental to the physical powers and the conditions required for the healthy action of each. To assume the responsibilities of parenthood without such preparation is a sin.MHH 215.1
Far too little thought is given to the causes underlying the mortality, the disease and degeneracy, that exist today even in the most civilized and favored lands. The human race is deteriorating. More than one third die in infancy. Of those who reach manhood and womanhood, by far the greater number suffer from disease in some form, and but few reach the limit of human life.MHH 215.2
Most of the evils that are bringing misery and ruin to the race might be prevented, and the power to deal with them rests to a great degree with parents. It is not a “mysterious providence” that removes little children by death. God does not want them to die. He gives them to the parents to be trained for usefulness here and for heaven hereafter. If fathers and mothers would do what they might to give their children a good inheritance, and then by right management endeavor to remedy any wrong conditions of their birth, what a change for the better the world might see!MHH 215.3