What to Give Children by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 14, 1875

What to Give Children.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Parents who wish to please and also benefit their children are often perplexed to know just what to do for them. They are willing to work hard, and to deny themselves for the benefit of the children who are so dear to them. But yet sad mistakes are often made. I was forcibly impressed with the following words from a mother upon this point:—

“When my children were young, I thought the very best thing I could do for them was to give them myself. So I spared no pains to talk with them, to teach them, to read to them, to pray with them, to be a loving companion and friend to my children. I had to neglect my house many times; I had no time to indulge myself in many things which I should have liked to do. I was so busy adorning their minds and cultivating their hearts’ best affections, that I could not adorn their bodies in fine clothes, though I kept them neat and comfortable at all times. I have my reward now. My sons are ministers of the gospel; my grown-up daughter is a lovely Christian woman. I have plenty of time now to sit down and rest, plenty of time to keep my house in perfect order, plenty of time to indulge myself in many ways, besides going about my Master’s business whenever he has need of me. I have a thousand beautiful memories of their childhood to comfort me. Now that they have gone out into the world, I have the sweet consciousness of having done all I could to make them ready for whatever work God calls them to do. I gave them the best I could—myself.”

“I gave them myself;” that is often the last thing a parent thinks of doing; but this is just what the dear little ones need the most, just what they will prize the most. Take time, then, parents, and make this offering to your children when they are young, and they will then give themselves to you when you are old.

D. M. C.