False and the True in Education
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works contain some bright gems of thought. But who was the orig-
inator of these gems of thought? It was God, and God alone. He is
the source of all light. Why should we wade through the mass of error
contained in the works of pagans and infidels, for the sake of a few
intellectual truths, when all truth is at our command?
There is a reason why these men sometimes display remarkable
wisdom. Satan himself was educated in the heavenly courts, and he
has a knowledge of good as well as of evil. He mingles the precious
with the vile, and this is what gives him power to deceive. But because
Satan has robed himself in garments of heavenly brightness, shall we
receive him as an angel of light? The tempter has his agents, educated
according to his methods, inspired by his spirit, and adapted to his
work. Shall we co-operate with them? Shall we receive the works of
his agents as essential to the acquirement of an education?
“Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.”
Job 14:4
.
Can we then expect the youth to maintain Christian principles and to
develop Christian character while their education is largely influenced
by the teachings of pagans, atheists, and infidels?
If the time and effort spent in seeking to grasp the bright ideas of
infidels were given to studying the precious things in the word of God,
thousands who now sit in darkness and in the shadow of death would
be rejoicing in the glory of the Light of life.
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Historical and Theological Lore
Many who are seeking a preparation for the Lord’s work think it
essential to accumulate large volumes of historical and theological
writings. They suppose that the study of these works will be a great
advantage to them in learning how to reach the people. This is an error.
As I see shelves piled with these books, some of them rarely looked
into, I think: Why spend money for that which is not bread? The sixth
chapter of John tells us more than can be found in such works. Christ
says: “I am the Bread of Life.” “The words that I speak unto you, they
are spirit, and they are life.”
John 6:35, 63
.
There is a study of history that is not to be condemned. Sacred
history was one of the studies in the schools of the prophets. In
the record of His dealings with the nations were traced the footsteps
of Jehovah. So today we are to consider the dealings of God with