Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 - A New You Ministry

of dress or some other indulgence is granted by the mother with the understanding thatthe father is to know nothing about it, for he would reprove for these things.Here a lesson of deception is effectually taught the children. Then if the fatherdiscovers these wrongs, excuses are made and but half the truth told. The mother is notopenhearted. She does not consider as she should that the father has the same interestin the children as herself, and that he should not be kept ignorant of the wrongs orbesetments that ought to be corrected in them while young. Things have been covered.The children know the lack of union in their parents, and it has its effect. The childrenbegin young to deceive, cover up, tell things in a different light from what they are totheir mother, as well as their father. Exaggeration becomes habit, and blunt falsehoodscome to be told with but little conviction or reproof of conscience.These wrongs commenced by the mother’s concealing things from the father, whohas an equal interest with her in the character their children are forming. The fathershould have been consulted freely. All should have been laid open to him. But theopposite course, taken to conceal the wrongs of the children, encourages in them adisposition to deceive, a lack of truthfulness and honesty.The only hope of these children, whether they profess religion or not, is to bethoroughly converted. Their whole character must be changed. Thoughtless mother, doyou know, as you teach your children, that their whole religious experience is affectedby their teaching when young? Subdue them young; teach them to submit to you,and the more readily will they learn to yield obedience to the requirements of God.Encourage in them a truthful, honest disposition. Let them never have occasion todoubt your sincerity and exact truthfulness.I saw that the young profess, but do not enjoy, the saving power of God. They lackreligion, lack salvation. And, oh,157