The father is the priest of the family. The souls of his wife and children, as God’s property, should be to him of the highest value, and he should faithfully guide the formation of their characters. The care of his children from their infancy should be his first consideration; for it is for their present and eternal good that they
develop right characters.
He should carefully weigh his words and actions, considering their influence, and the results they may produce. It is as essential that as a father he should improve the talents God has given him for the purpose of making the
home a symbol of the heavenly family, as that in the work of the ministry he should make use of his God-given powers to win souls for the church.
As the priest in the home, and as the ambassador of Christ in the church, he should exemplify in his life the character of Christ. He must be faithful in watching for souls as one that must give an account.
Manuscript 42, 1903.
Last modified: June 20, 2026
