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EARLY IMPRESSIONS

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 22, 1877

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 50, No. 21.

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EARLY IMPRESSIONS.

By Nellie F. Heald

Impressions made upon the mind in early life are of great importance. As the yielding clay is susceptible to impressions at the hand of the sculptor, so is the plastic nature of childhood susceptible to the impress of good or evil. The young mind is quick to observe, and delights in learning facts and reasons. The shell, the pebble, the picture, call forth many eager inquiries. The opening bud is a marvel, and the inquisitive mind asks for a why and wherefore.
From the twinkling stars that stud the azure heavens to the tiny acorn cup gathered by the wayside, the child receives information and joy. Birds, insects, the swift-footed squirrel, the garden, with its blossoms so carefully watched, are the child's daily companions. Between them and him there springs up a spontaneous friendship. It is no repulsive task to learn the lessons they teach; for they win his love while they call into healthy activity the mental and moral powers. Let these beautiful objects of nature ever be connectedin the child's mind with the love, wisdom, and power of their great Author; and they will leave impressions that will never be forgotten—that will exert a happy influence over the future life.
Our Saviour ever sought for natural scenes and objects with which to illustrate the truths he taught. The teacher and the parent, in the instruction and training of the young, can meet with the highest success in their labors of love only when they follow the example of the Great Teacher; for “precepts and rules are repulsive to a child, but happy illustration winneth him. In vain shalt thou preach to him of industry and prudence, till he learn of the bee and the ant. He will fear God in thunder, and worship his loveliness in flowers; and parables shall charm his heart, while doctrines seem dead mystery.” The true educator will aim to instill into the childish heart the principles of God's moral code by precept illustrated by example. Those to whom this high and responsible work is committed must connect with Christ, must become imbued with his Spirit of love, that they may win the affections of childhood in their purity and freshness to entwine around Him who says, “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not.” His “golden rule” should be instilled into the young heart, that it may bear fruit in the life.
Selfishness is an inborn principle. This enemy of our peace enters the charmed enclosure of the home circle, and nestles in the heart of the lovely child. The child may be unconscious of its fault; but it is the duty of parents to study its disposition, that they may detect its wrong traits of character, and by proper discipline and instruction correct them, while they encourage all worthy and lovely traits. It is a misguided love that refuses to recognize the faults of the loved, or that would censure without giving the needed encouragement to overcome.
Home should be to the child the dearest place on earth, the abode of cheerfulness, and the “haunt of all pure affections.” It is in the home life that first impressions are received, and those which are the most durable and potent in their influence. They give coloring and texture to the whole warp and woof of the child's character. Habits are formed under the home roof which will contribute either to the happiness and best interests of the child or the reverse. Man is said to be a “bundle of habits,” and “happy is the man whose habits are his friends.”
True home discipline will carefully guard the habits of its inmates, and will aim to secure prompt and cheerful obedience to the parents' will and wishes, thus preparing the way for the child in due time to yield its will submissively to the Heavenly Parent. This should be the one great object of all education and discipline. If this result fail to be attained, then the life is a failure. If the moral sensibility is deficient, it should be cultivated, and the conscience quickened to discern the right and shun the wrong.
To bequeath the legacy of a good character is to bestow a gift of more value than thousands of gold and silver. Forget not, O parent, the power of early impressions to form the character and determine the future of your child,—a child given to you as a loan, “a talent of trust, to be rendered back with interest.” God will hold you responsible for the molding influence of your words and acts. The spirit that you daily cherish will be reproduced in your child. “For character groweth day by day, and all things aid in its unfolding. And the bent unto good or evil may be given in infancy.”
Does your responsibility seem too great to bear? Christ will share it with you. He invites you to bring your children in the arms of your faith to him. He is able to shield them from the power of evil, and “they shall be mine, saith the Lord, in the day when I make up my jewels.”
NELLIE F. HEALD.
Temple, N. H.