Like begets like. The same spirit which you manifest has been reflected upon you again. Your children have seen so little affection, tenderness, and gentleness that they have had nothing to win them to the truth or inspire them with respect for your authority. They have so long partaken of the evil fruits borne by you that their disposition is bitterness. They are not altogether corrupt; there are left beneath the uncultivated exterior, good impulses, which might be reached and brought to the surface. If your religious life had been more even, exemplifying the life of Christ, things would be different in your family. “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Just such as the seed you sow will be the harvest which you will gather. If gentle words were the order of the day in your dwelling, such fruit would you receive. {2T 79.1}

Det samme avler det samme. Den samme ånd som du har udvist har genspejlet sig i dig igen. Dine børn har kun set så lidt hengivenhed, ømhed og venlighed at forædlerne ikke har noget at vinde dem for sandheden med eller indgyde dem respekt over for jeres myndighed. De har i så lang tid fået del i de onde frugter, der kommer af jer, at de er bitre af natur. De er ikke helt fordærvet; der er neden under det uudviklede ydre gode impulser, som må nås og bringes til overfladen. Hvis jeres religiøse liv havde været jævnere og eksemplificeret Kristi liv, ville tingene være anderledes i jeres familie. »Hvad et menneske sår, det skal han også høste.« Netop sådan som de frø du vil så, vil være den høst du vil samle. Hvis milde ord hører til dagens orden i jeres hjem, vil det også være frugterne I får.