Testimonies for the Church, Volume 2 - Ellen G. White

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, or by the mother when he is absent, will
result in blessings to the family.
The reason why the youth of the present age are
not more religiously inclined is that their education
is defective. True love is not exercised toward
children when they are allowed to indulge passion,
or when disobedience of your laws is permitted to
go unpunished. As the twig is bent, the tree's
inclined. You love your ease too well. You are not
painstaking enough. Constant effort is required,
constant watchfulness and earnest, fervent prayer.
Keep the mind in a praying mood, uplifted to God;
be not slothful in business, but fervent in spirit,
serving the Lord.
You have failed in your family to appreciate
the sacredness of the Sabbath and to teach it to
1264