The Holy Spirit in our Schools
Cooranbong, N. S. W.,
May 10, 1896
I ask you who are living at the very heart of the work to review
the experience of years and see if the well “done” can be truthfully
spoken of you. I ask the teachers in our schools to consider carefully,
prayerfully: Have I individually watched for my own soul as one
who is co-operating with God for its purification from all sin and its
entire sanctification? Can you by precept and example teach the youth
sanctification, through the truth, unto holiness?
Have you not been afraid of the Holy Spirit? At times this Spirit
has come with all-pervading influence into the school at Battle Creek
and into the schools at other places. Did you recognize His presence?
Did you accord Him the honor due to a heavenly messenger? When
the Spirit seemed to be striving with the youth, did you say: “Let us
put aside all study, for it is evident that we have among us a heavenly
guest? Let us give praise and honor to God.” Did you, with contrite
hearts, bow in prayer with your students, pleading that you might
receive the blessing that the Lord was presenting to you?
The Great Teacher Himself was among you. Did you honor Him?
Was He a stranger to some of the educators? Was there need to send
for someone of supposed authority to welcome or repel this Messenger
from heaven? Though unseen, His presence was among you. But was
not the thought expressed that in school the time ought to be given to
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study, and that there was a time for everything, as if the hours devoted
to common study were too precious to be given up for the working of
the heavenly messenger?
If you have in any way restricted or repulsed the Holy Spirit, I
entreat you to repent as quickly as possible. If any of our teachers
have not opened the door of the heart to the Spirit of God, but have
closed and padlocked it, I urge them to unlock the door and pray
with earnestness: “Abide with me.” When the Holy Spirit reveals
His presence in your school room, say to your students: “The Lord
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