March 28, 1892

We are to follow our Lord in the path of self-denial and self-sacrifice. We are not to choose the easiest path. The way that we shall be required to walk will necessitate the exercise of living faith; for it is by faith that we are to rejoice in tribulation, and send forth steady beams of light into the moral darkness that surrounds us. There are about us many who have not an experience in the things of God, and we are to be to them as living epistles to be known and read of all men. The Lord would have us receive that mould of character which will make us fit to be living members of the heavenly family. We are to shed forth light to those who are in darkness and the shadow of death. We are to put out our talents to the exchangers, using, to the best of our ability, the power that God has given us. Jesus is looking to see how you behave yourselves now, that he may judge you worthy of a place in the mansions above; that he may gather you home as children of his family, subjects of the Heavenly King. You are to clothe yourselves now with the garment that has been woven in the loom of heaven, even with the glorious righteousness of Christ, that you may be prepared to stand at his appearing, and be found worthy of a place at his right hand.ST March 28, 1892, par. 1

The Father in the Family

EGW

The meaning of “husband” is “houseband.” All members of the family center in the father. He is the lawmaker, illustrating in his own manly bearing the sterner virtues of energy, integrity, honesty, patience, courage, diligence, and practical usefulness.ST March 28, 1892, par. 2

His children are the younger members of the Lord's family,—brothers and sisters intrusted to his care by his Heavenly Father, to be trained and educated for heaven.ST March 28, 1892, par. 3

He should never correct his children while impatient or fretful, or while under the influence of passion. If correction is demanded, he should punish them in love, manifesting the unwillingness he feels to cause them pain. He should never raise a hand to give them a blow unless he can, with a clear conscience, bow before God and ask his blessing upon the correction he is about to give. He should encourage love in the hearts of his children, ever presenting before them high and correct motives of self-restraint. He should not give them the impression that they must submit to his control because it is his arbitrary will, because they are weak and he is strong, but because it is for their highest and lasting good and happiness.ST March 28, 1892, par. 4

The father is in one sense the priest of the household, laying upon the altar of God the morning and evening sacrifice. The wife and children should be encouraged to unite in this offering, and also to engage in the song of praise. Morning and evening the father, as priest of the household, should confess to God the sins committed by himself and his children through the day. Those sins which have come to his knowledge, and also those which are secret, of which God's eye alone has taken cognizance, should be confessed. This rule of action, zealously carried out by the father when he is present, by the mother when he is absent, will result in blessings to the family.ST March 28, 1892, par. 5