While educating and disciplining their children, parents are in a continual school. It is impossible for them to teach self-control, unless they first learn to govern themselves. Fathers and mothers may study their own character in their children. They may often read humiliating lessons, as they see their own imperfections reproduced in their sons and daughters. While seeking to repress and correct in their children hereditary tendencies to evil, parents should call to their aid double patience, perseverance, and love. God has apportioned them their work, and he will require it at their hands. No minister or friend can supply their place. The harder the battle, the greater their need of help from their Heavenly Father, and the more marked will be the victory gained.

Så længe deres børn uddannes og opdrages, er forældre i en stadig skole. Det er umuligt for dem at lære selvkontrol, hvis de ikke først lærer at beherske sig selv. Fædre og mødre må studere deres egen karakter i deres børn. De må ofte læse ydmygende lektier, idet de ser deres ufuldkommenhed genskabt i deres sønner og døtre. Når de søger at tilbageholde og rette deres børns nedarvede tendenser til ondt, bør forældre samle sig dobbelt tålmodighed, udholdenhed og kærlighed. Gud har udpeget dem til deres arbejde, og han vil afkræve det af deres hænder. Ingen prædikant eller ven kan erstatte deres sted. Jo hårdere slaget er, des større er deres behov for hjælp fra deres himmelske Fader, og des mere markant vil sejren kunne opnås.