p. 12 | A Lesson for Parents by Ellet Joseph Waggoner

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 24, 1903

A Lesson for Parents

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

E. J. WAGGONER

The feast was over, and the people were on their way home. Joseph and Mary missed Jesus from their side, but gave themselves no concern over the matter, supposing him to be with some of their acquaintances. But when after a day's journey they saw nothing of him, they began to be alarmed, and, not finding him with any of their friends in the company, they returned to Jerusalem, where another day was spent in search. To his mother's reproving words, “Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing,” he replied, “How is it that ye sought me?” Surely in these words and in this record we have a lesson for parents. It was most certainly recorded for their learning.

The lesson to be learned is that parents should know where their children are. “How is it that ye sought me?” Sure enough; if they had been mindful of their duty in the first instance, they would not have needed to seek him. That he was in no danger, and exposed to no special temptation, was not due to their care. The place for every child is with its parents, and every hour of the day and night the parents should know where it is. Supposing or even knowing that a child is with “kinsfolk and acquaintance,” does not relieve parents of their responsibility. Many a child has been ruined, or has at least acquired habits that required much discipline to overcome, by making what was supposed to be the most innocent visits. Parents can not be too jealous in their watchfulness as to their children's associates.

Nobody can take the place of the parent, and nobody should be expected to while the parent is alive. Nobody else can be expected to have the same watchful interest in the child that the parent has. No right-minded person will resent such watchfulness on the part of the parents, and no true parent will begrudge the time and trouble. Too much trouble to look so closely after children? Ah! how few parents understand that they themselves are the chief gainers by their care for their children. In bringing up children in a proper manner, the parents get most valuable discipline, and learn far more than the children do. The parent who does not learn more from his child than his child does from him, does not do his duty, or is very dull. Keep watch of the children! You need the discipline as much as they do.