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

In accepting the truth of God the minds of the young become
strengthened to attain to greater intelligence. The dormant energies of the
mind are, as it were, electrified, new powers seem to spring into life. The
understanding, in striving to comprehend the heights and depths of the plan
of salvation, becomes strong and grasping, and the whole being is
illuminated by the brightness and glory of the infinite God. What a contrast
is such a one with the youth who devotes his time and energies to the vain
pleasures of the day, drifting into dissipation and folly, as surely dwarfing
and enfeebling his mind as he is destroying his physical powers.
Children, as a rule, are allowed to gratify their appetite to a decidedly
injurious extent. Their tastes are perverted by the use of coffee, tea, rich
pastry, condiments, and sweetmeats. These indulgences lay the foundation
for various diseases of the body, irritability, nervousness, and mental
imbecility. Health, happiness, and life itself is too often sacrificed on the
altar of appetite. The mother therefore cannot be too careful of her children
in the matter of their eating and drinking. Their food should be simple,
healthful, and well prepared; Nothing should pass their lips between meals,
and then they should not be allowed to contract the habit of eating to excess.
Your hired helpers should understand that they are not at liberty to infringe
upon any of your rules in regard to the management of your children. If they
fail to comply with this requirement, and secretly indulge your children in
that which you have forbidden, discharge them at once. Let nothing interfere
with your family government. Remember that hurtful indulgence of appetite
renders the physical, mental, and moral faculties weak, and opens the way to
temptations of various kinds, into which the victim of perverted appetite
drifts almost unconsciously.
If parents seek to obey the word of God, in bringing their children up in
the nurture and admonition of the Lord, they find a work before them
requiring thought, resolution, and trust in God. Difficulties will arise on
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