Soul culture, which gives purity and elevation to the thoughts and fragrance to word and act, requires more painstaking effort. It takes patience to keep every evil motive weeded from the garden of the heart. The spiritual training should in no case be neglected; for “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Psalm 111:10. By some, education is placed next to religion, but true education is religion. The Bible should be the child’s first textbook. From this book, parents are to give wise instruction. The word of God is to be made the rule of the life. From it the children are to learn that God is their Father; and from the beautiful lessons of His word they are to gain a knowledge of His character. Through the inculcation of its principles they are to learn to do justice and judgment. {CT 108.3}

Sjælskulturen, som giver renhed og ophøjelse af tanker og vellugt til ord og handlinger, kræver mere smerteudholdende anstrengelser. Det kræver tålmodighed at få alle onde motiver luet ud af hjertets have. Åndelig oplæring bør under ingen omstændigheder forsømmes; for »Herrens frygt er visdoms begyndelse.« Sal. 111, 10. Hos nogle, sættes uddannelse næst efter religion, men sand uddannelse er religion. Bibelen bør være barnets første tekstbog. Fra denne bog, skal forældrene give den kloge undervisning. (109) Guds ord skal gøres til en trofast livsregel. Ud fra denne skal barnet lære at Gud er deres Fader; og fra Hans ords skønne lektier skal de få kundskab om Hans karakter. Når dets principper tages med, skal de lære at udøve retfærdighed og dømme.