Teach him that the true children of Jesus Christ are those who love him, and who earnestly are striving to obey all his commands.
Set before the child the command of Christ, “Deny thyself daily, and take up thy cross and follow me,” and then teach and encourage him every day to practise some self-denial in doing good.
Teach him that the more he practises this self-denial for the good of others, the more he becomes like Jesus Christ, and that the duty will become easier and pleasanter, the more he practises it.
Inquire daily, especially at the close of the day, whether the child has practised any self-denial in doing good during the day, and express satisfaction at any success.
Teach the child to pray for help to overcome selfishness, and to give thanks for Divine aid when he has performed any act of benevolent self-denial.
If any tendency to self-righteousness and self-complacency is discovered, point out his various deficiencies, or overt sins, and teach him daily to observe and confess to God his faults.
Teach him that heaven is a world where all are perfectly free from selfishness, and that those, who are selfish, could not be happy there, and will never find admittance until they become like Jesus Christ. Teach him that this life is designed as a world of trial and discipline, to free us from selfishness, and thus prepare us for heaven.
This mode, in connexion with others suggested in the previous part, if faithfully pursued, would produce results such as seldom have been seen.
These views are presented, not to oppose the views and opinions of others, but simply to induce those who hold them to act consistently with their belief.