p. 165 | Judicious Praise

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 7, 1871

Judicious Praise.

No HEART is insensible to words of praise, or the kindly smile of approbation; and none are utterly above being affected by censure or blame. Children are particularly sensitive in this respect. Nothing can discourage a child more than a spirit of incessant fault-finding; and perhaps nothing can exert a more baneful influence upon both parent and child. If your little one, through the day, has been pleasant, and obedient, and you say to him, “My son, you have been very good to-day, and it makes me very happy;” and if, with more than a usually affectionate embrace, you say, “Good night, my dear child,” a throb of suppressed feeling fills his breast, and he resolves on always earning such approval. If your grown son, or daughter, have accomplished some difficult piece of work, rendering you essential assistance; or have climbed some steep in the daily drill of study; or have acquired some new accomplishment or added grace; or, better than all, have gained the victory over some bad habit or besetting sin—acknowledge it, see it, praise them for it. Let them see by your added tenderness, the deep joy and comfort it gives you. Thus you will create a great incentive to right conduct, and lay a broad foundation for a character which shall be redolent with succulent fruit and fragrant blossoms.—Sel.