THE REAL OBJECT | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 18, 1889

FromThe Signs of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 7

THE REAL OBJECT.

Many parents bring up their children with the idea that they are in the world primarily for enjoyment. The prevailing question to the children of this generation is, “Did you have a nice time?” rather than, “Were you a good girl, or a good boy?” The desire of the parents, if formulated, would be, “I want them to have a good time,” rather than, “I want them to be able to choose the right, the true, the best.” As fathers and mothers grow older they learn, by slow and painful experience, that this life is not all a “nice time,” and it would be a saving in many ways to their children to teach them this from their earliest years. Let them understand that God loves them, and is working for a lasting rather than for a present happiness for them; that when he denies a thing it is to give something better in its place, or some other time; and that to love and obey him brings its most substantial happiness. Children love to obey, and they love the one whom they are taught to obey. Obedience brings love, and love brings happiness.—Congregationalist.