The Faith I Live By

The Grandest Work of All, September 15

The Happiest Place on Earth

That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace. Psalm 144:12. FLB 264.1

The tenderest earthly tie is that between the mother and her child.^{70Fundamentals of Christian Education, 153.} FLB 264.2

In the children committed to her care, every mother has a sacred charge from God. “Take this son, this daughter,” He says; “train it for Me; give it a character polished after the similitude of a palace, that it may shine in the courts of the Lord forever.” ^{71The Ministry of Healing, 376.} FLB 264.3

This work of molding, refining, and polishing is the mother's. The character of the child is to be developed. The mother must engrave upon the tablet of the heart lessons as enduring as eternity.^{72The Adventist Home, 234.} FLB 264.4

Child training is the grandest work ever committed to mortals. The child belongs to the Lord, and from the time it is an infant in its mother's arms, it is to be trained for Him.^{73The Review and Herald, July 8, 1902.} FLB 264.5

The home should be to the children the most attractive place in the world, and the mother's presence should be its greatest attraction.... By gentle discipline, in loving words and acts, mothers may bind their children to their hearts.^{74The Ministry of Healing, 388.} FLB 264.6

There is a God above, and the light and glory from His throne rests upon the faithful mother as she tries to educate her children to resist the influence of evil. No other work can equal hers in importance. She has not, like the artist, to paint a form of beauty upon canvas, nor, like the sculptor, to chisel it from marble. She has not, like the author, to embody a noble thought in words of power, nor, like the musician, to express a beautiful sentiment in melody. It is hers, with the help of God, to develop in a human soul the likeness of the divine.^{75The Ministry of Healing, 377, 378.} FLB 264.7

The king upon his throne has no higher work than has the mother. The mother is queen of her household. She has in her power the molding of her children's characters, that they may be fitted for the higher, immortal life. An angel could not ask for a higher mission.^{76The Adventist Home, 231.} FLB 264.8