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

June 23, 1881
Parents in the Sabbath-School
The Sabbath-school affords precious opportunities and privileges for the
young. Parents should highly prize these advantages, and show their children
that they appreciate them. If they manifest no decided interest in the school
themselves, they cannot expect their children to do so. In the Sabbath school,
parents may be learners as well as the children. Both parents and children
should seek to have a knowledge of the Scriptures. Other books should be
secondary to the word of God. Christ has said, "Search the Scriptures, for in
them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me."
We ought all of us to be better acquainted with the prophecies than we are,
and to have a more thorough knowledge of the practical lessons of Christ. If
we merely read the Scriptures uninterestedly, we cannot become intelligent
in the truths therein contained.
Parents should search the Scriptures with their children. They should
become familiar with the lessons themselves, then they can assist their
children in learning them. Every day some portion of time should be
appropriated to the study of the lessons, not merely in learning to
mechanically repeat the words, while the mind does not comprehend the
meaning; but to go to the very foundation, and become familiar with what is
brought out in the lesson. The indifference of the children, in very many
cases, is chargeable to the parents. They are indifferent, and the children
catch the same spirit. If parents show that they attach importance to the
Sabbath school, by giving it respect and prominence, the children will
generally copy their example.
Parents should have a thorough understanding with their family that the
sacred hours of the Sabbath are to be spent to God's glory. They should be up
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