Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

628 Testimonies for the Church Volume 1[686]Thus the first efforts of the learners are repulsed, and the first failureso cools their interest and ardor to learn that they dread another trial,and will propose to sew, knit, clean house—anything but cook. Herethe mother was greatly at fault. She should have patiently instructedthem that they might by practice obtain an experience which wouldremove the awkwardness and remedy the unskillful movements of theinexperienced worker. Here I will add extracts from Testimony for thechurch vol. 1, No. 10, page 392, published in 1864:“Children who have been petted and waited upon, always expectit; and if their expectations are not met, they are disappointed anddiscouraged. This same disposition will be seen through their wholelives; they will be helpless, leaning upon others for aid, expectingothers to favor them and yield to them. And if they are opposed,even after they have grown to manhood and womanhood, they thinkthemselves abused; and thus they worry their way through the world,hardly able to bear their own weight, often murmuring and frettingbecause everything does not suit them.“Mistaken parents are teaching their children lessons which willprove ruinous to them, and are also planting thorns for their own feet.They think that by gratifying the wishes of their children, and lettingthem follow their own inclinations, they can gain their love. What anerror! Children thus indulged grow up unrestrained in their desires,unyielding in their dispositions, selfish, exacting, and overbearing,a curse to themselves and to all around them. To a great extent,parents hold in their own hands the future happiness of their children.Upon them rests the important work of forming the character of thesechildren. The instructions given in childhood will follow them allthrough life. Parents sow the seed which will spring up and bearfruit either for good or evil. They can fit their sons and daughters forhappiness or for misery.“Children should be taught very young to be useful, to help themselves,and to help others. Many daughters of this age can, withoutremorse of conscience, see their mothers toiling, cooking, washing,or ironing, while they sit in the parlor and read stories, knit edging,crochet, or embroider. Their hearts are as unfeeling as a stone. Butwhere does this wrong originate? Who are the ones usually most toblame in this matter? The poor, deceived parents. They overlook thefuture good of their children, and in their mistaken fondness, let them