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

artificial lisping, so common with spoiled young ladies. Affectation is seen
in almost every action. They are amused with themselves, and are
thoughtless of others. They live upon the plenty which surrounds them in
their parental homes, and depend upon the bounty given them of their
parents. They lean upon parental strength, and fail to acquire the power of
depending upon themselves. And those of this class are unprepared for the
stern realities of life. They make no provision for the losses and
disappointments of this inconstant life. They may be deprived of property
and of parents. What then, will they lean upon? They have not acquired a
principle of self-support, of noble independence and self reliance, and they
droop through murmuring, disappointment, and discouragement. They may
then regret the defects in their education, and blame their mothers for them.
These are some of the many fruits of a mother's mistaken fondness.
Inactivity weakens the system. God made men and women to be active
and useful. Nothing can increase the strength of the young like proper
exercise of all the muscles in useful labor. But the indulgent mother
frequently sacrifices her life in her misguided affection for her children. And
are they, in any way, benefited by the great sacrifice of the precious strength
of the mother? No; they are positively and permanently injured. They are
taught to think and care only for themselves. "Just as the twig is bent, the tree
inclines."
Especially is this the case with those daughters who are more directly
under the influence of the mother. She should instruct her daughters not to
yield to indispositions and slight ailments. If they complain of inability to
labor, they should not be urged to eat. They should be taught that if they are
unable to perform light labor, the system is not in a condition to take care of
food. They should fast for one or two meals, and drink only pure, soft water.
The loss of a meal or two will enable the overburdened system to overcome
slight indispositions; and even graver difficulties may be overcome by this
simple process.
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