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Besides this, in each conference a fund should be raised to lend to
worthy poor students who desire to give themselves to the missionary
work; and in some cases they should even receive donations. When
the Battle Creek College was first started, there was a fund placed in
the Review and Herald office for the benefit of those who wished to
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obtain an education but had not the means. This was used by several
students until they could get a good start; then from their earnings they
would replace what they had drawn, so that others might be benefited
by the fund. The youth should have it plainly set before them that they
must work their own way as far as possible and thus partly defray their
expenses. That which costs little will be appreciated little. But that
which costs a price somewhere near its real value will be estimated
accordingly.
Teaching Self-Reliance
By precept and example, teach self-denial, economy, largeheart-
edness, and self-reliance. Everyone who has a true character will be
qualified to cope with difficulties and will be prompt in following a
“Thus saith the Lord.” Men are not prepared to understand their obli-
gation to God until they have learned in Christ’s school to wear His
yoke of restraint and obedience. Sacrifice is the very beginning of our
work in advancing the truth and in establishing institutions. It is an
essential part of education. Sacrifice must become habitual in all our
character building in this life if we would have a building not made
with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Through erroneous ideas regarding the use of money the youth
are exposed to many dangers. They are not to be carried along and
supplied with money as if there were an inexhaustible supply from
which they could draw to gratify every supposed need. Money is to
be regarded as a gift entrusted to us of God to do His work, to build
up His kingdom, and the youth should learn to restrict their desires.
Teach that none may prostitute their powers in self-pleasing and self-
gratification. Those whom God has endowed with ability to acquire
means are under obligation to Him to use that means, through heaven’s
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imparted wisdom, to His name’s glory. Every shilling wasted on self-
indulgence, or given to special friends who will spend it to indulge
pride and selfishness, is robbing God’s treasury. The money expended