Need of Educational Reform
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agencies are combining with the human in reshaping the character
according to the perfect pattern, and man is to work out that which
God works in. Will we as a people do this God-given work? Will
we carefully heed all the light that has been given, keeping constantly
before us the one object of fitting students for the kingdom of God?
If by faith we advance step by step in the right way, following the
Great Leader, light will shine along our pathway; and circumstances
will occur to remove the difficulties. The approval of God will give
hope, and ministering angels will co-operate with us, bringing light
and grace, and courage and gladness.
Then let no more time be lost in dwelling on the many things
which are not essential and which have no bearing upon the present
necessities of God’s people. Let no more time be lost in exalting men
who know not the truth, “for the time is at hand.” There is no time
now to fill the mind with theories of what is popularly called “higher
education.” The time devoted to that which does not tend to assimilate
the soul to the likeness of Christ is so much time lost for eternity. This
we cannot afford, for every moment is freighted with eternal interests.
Now, when the great work of judging the living is about to begin, shall
we allow unsanctified ambition to take possession of the heart and lead
us to neglect the education required to meet the needs in this day of
peril?
In every case the great decision is to be made whether we shall
receive the mark of the beast or his image, or the seal of the living
God. And now, when we are on the borders of the eternal world, what
can be of so much value to us as to be found loyal and true to the God
of heaven? What is there that we should prize above His truth and His
law? What education can be given to the students in our schools that
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is so necessary as a knowledge of “What saith the Scriptures?”
We know that there are many schools which afford opportunities
for education in the sciences, but we desire something more than this.
The science of true education is the truth, which is to be so deeply
impressed on the soul that it cannot be obliterated by the error that
everywhere abounds. The third angel’s message is truth, and light, and
power, and to present it so that right impressions will be made upon
hearts should be the work of our schools as well as of our churches,
of the teacher as well as of the minister. Those who accept positions