Note.—Correction should never be given in anger, for anger in the parent stirs up anger in the child. It is well to pray with a child before correcting him, and frequently mild but faithful instruction, admonition, and prayer are all the training necessary,—are, in fact, the best training that can be given. But in any case of perverseness, stubbornness, or wilful disobedience, the correction, whatever it may be, should be persisted in until the child yields submissively to the will and wishes of the parent. It is best, generally, that correction should be done in private, as this tends to preserve the self-respect of the child, a very important element in character building. No correction nor training should be violent or abusive, or given for the purpose of breaking the will of the child, but rather to direct the will, bring it into proper subjection, and the child to a realizing sense of what is right and duty.
14. How are the present effects and future results of chastisement contrasted?
“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Heb. 12:11.
15. What question must every unfaithful parent meet?
“Where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?” Jer. 13:20.
Note.—Happy will those parents be who can say, “Behold, here am I and the children Thou gavest me.” See Isa. 8:18.
The oldest university was not on India's strand,
Nor in the valley of the Nile, nor on Arabia's sand;
From time's beginning it has taught and still it teaches free