Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

February 9, 1882
Among the Churches
Napa
Journeying southward from St. Helena, I next visited Napa. Here Eld.
Van Horn had been holding a series of meetings, with some good results. On
the Sabbath I spoke to the church on the duty of parents to educate,
discipline, and restrain their children. There is a sad neglect of this work
among those who profess the truth in Napa. I felt deeply the need of a work
of reformation in this church, and invited all to come forward who desired
that day to become for the first time children of God, and also all who had
departed from him and now wished to return. About twenty responded.
Earnest prayer was offered in their behalf. Those in Napa who believe in
present truth will receive but little favor from members of other churches
who trample under their feet the law of God. Only those who make it an
individual work to secure eternal life will remain steadfast to the faith.
On Sunday I spoke in the Methodist Church, upon the subject of
temperance. After the discourse the minister expressed his gratification at
what he had heard, and said that some of the ideas advanced were new to
him. He thought we had found the right starting-point in commencing the
work of temperance at home, and that mothers should be aroused to see and
feel their responsibility. Many expressed a desire that I would address them
again Sunday evening; but fearing that the effort would overtax my strength,
I spoke instead Monday evening, on the duty of parents.
On this occasion I dwelt particularly upon the evils resulting from
parental neglect. Notwithstanding our boasted advancement in education, the
training of children is sadly defective. For this state of things, must not
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