Foreword One well-ordered, well-disciplined family tells more in behalf of Christianity than all the sermons that can be preached. Such a family gives evidence that the parents have been successful in following God’s directions, and that their children will serve Him in the church. Their influence grows; for as they impart, they receive to impart again. The father and mother find helpers in their children, who give to others the instruction received in the home.–Adventist Home, p. 32.In the last quarterly we studied the early years of life. In the next three months we will study Christian character as it is developed in the home life. The career is set. The marriage has been performed. What happens now? What kind of family life should we have?Home is to be the center of the purest and most elevated affection. Peace, harmony, affection, and happiness should be perseveringly cherished every day, until these precious things abide in the hearts of those who compose the family. The plant of love must be carefully nourished, else it will die. Every good principle must be cherished if we would have it thrive in the soul. That which Satan plants in the heart–envy, jealousy, evil surmising, evil speaking, impatience, prejudice, selfishness, covetousness, and vanity–must be uprooted. If these evil things are allowed to remain in the soul, they will bear fruit by which many shall be defiled. Oh, how many cultivate the poisonous plants that kill out the precious fruits of love and defile the soul!–The Adventist Home, pp. 195, 196.
