p. 615 | EMPLOYMENT

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 25, 1900

EMPLOYMENT

Many women can spend time each week in seeking to save their neighbors; and every woman, by the help of the Lord, can walk daily with God in her own home, so that the Lord can say to her, “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” Perhaps no questions are more perplexing to the many burdened home-keepers intrusted with the care of children, than, How shall the children spend the time when out of school? and what shall they be encouraged to engage in as they grow to manhood and womanhood? These are important questions.

“It is essential for parents to find useful employment for their children, which will involve the bearing of responsibilities as their age and strength will permit. The children should be given something to do that will not only keep them busy, but interest them.

“The active hands and brains must be employed from the earliest years. If parents neglect to turn their children’s energies into useful channels, they do them great injury. When the child is old enough to be sent to school, the teacher should co-operate with the parents, and manual training should be continued as a part of his school duties. . . . Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is one with the Father, the Commander in heavenly courts, was the personal instructor and guide of the children of Israel; and among them it was required that every youth should learn how to work. All were to be educated in some business line, that they might possess a knowledge of practical life, and be not only self-sustaining, but useful. This was the instruction that God gave to his people.

“In his earthly life Christ was an example to all the human family; he was obedient and helpful in the home. He learned the carpenter’s trade, and worked with his own hands in the little shop at Nazareth. . . . He was not willing to be defective even in the handling of tools. He was perfect as a workman, as he was perfect in character. By precept and example Christ has dignified useful labor. . . . In the children and youth an ambition should be awakened to take their exercise in doing something that will be beneficial to themselves, and helpful to others. . . .

“The children of the wealthy should not be deprived of the great blessing of having something to do to increase the strength of brain and muscle. Work is not a curse, but a blessing. . . . The Christian religion is practical. It does not incapacitate one for the faithful discharge of any of life’s essential duties. . . . Children trained to the practical duties of life, will go out from the home to be useful members of society.”—“Special Testimonies on Education.”