The Signs of the Times
November 11, 1903
The Home-Life
Husband and wife are to be faithful to each other as long as time shall last, ever revealing the self-sacrifice that brings true happiness. They are to be one in Christ, and as children are born to them, they are to receive them as a trust from the Lord, to be carefully trained for Him, taught to live pure, holy lives. ST November 11, 1903, par. 1
The husband and wife have duties to perform that before their marriage they did not have. Let them give careful study to the following instruction: “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church.... Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it.” ST November 11, 1903, par. 2
Marriage, a union for life, is a symbol of the union between Christ and His church. The spirit that Christ manifests toward the church is the spirit that husband and wife are to manifest toward each other. ST November 11, 1903, par. 3
Neither husband nor wife is to make a plea for rulership. The Lord has laid down the principle that is to guide in this matter. The husband is to cherish his wife as Christ cherishes the church. And the wife is to respect and love her husband. Both are to cultivate the spirit of kindness, being determined never to grieve or injure the other. ST November 11, 1903, par. 4
Parents can be ministers for Christ in the training of their children. From its babyhood the child is to be taught to obey. Those parents who allow their children to grow up wilful and disobedient are preparing them for a life of sorrow and disappointment. Parents, teach your children to obey. And from the grief you feel when they disregard your wishes, learn how you grieve and disappoint Christ when you disobey Him. The effort to train your children aright will teach you many lessons in regard to your duty to obey the Lord. ST November 11, 1903, par. 5
Never treat your children harshly; for harshness arouses stubbornness and resistance. You will find that they are most easily and successfully governed by kindness and gentleness. Love breaks down all barriers, and gentleness subdues the most stubborn will. Treat your children as you would wish to be treated were you in their place. Let there be no scolding, no loud-voiced, angry commands. Obey the injunction, “Be still, and know that I am God.” ST November 11, 1903, par. 6
Disobedience and rebellion must be punished; but remember that the punishment is to be given in the spirit of Christ. When called upon to discipline your child, remember your own relation to your heavenly Father. Have you walked perfectly before Him? Are you not wayward and disobedient? Do you not often grieve him? But does He deal with you in anger? Remember, too, that it is from you that your children have received their tendencies to wrong. In spite of your years of Christian experience, in spite of your many opportunities for self-discipline, how easily you are provoked to anger! Deal gently, then, with your children, remembering that they have not had the opportunities that you have had to gain self-control. ST November 11, 1903, par. 7
All Heaven is interested in your home. God and Christ and the heavenly angels are intensely desirous that you shall so train your children that they shall be prepared to enter the family of the redeemed. Teach them to be loyal to Christ. Bring into the home the transforming power of the grace of Christ. Make your home an object-lesson that will help other parents to fulfil God's purpose for them. Teach your children to live Christlike lives. Set your own heart in order. An unreserved surrender to God will sweep away the barriers that have so long defied the approaches of heavenly grace. Bring your lives into conformity to the will of Christ, and your children will be won to Him. The world will take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus, and have learned of Him. In word and deed they will bear witness to the power of His grace. ST November 11, 1903, par. 8