Chapter 53—The Church’s Responsibility
The Church as a Watchman—The Lord would use the church
school as an aid to the parents in educating and preparing their children
for this time before us. Then let the church take hold of the schoolwork
in earnest and make it what the Lord desires it to be
God has appointed the church as a watchman, to have a jealous
care over the youth and children, and as a sentinel to see the approach
of the enemy and give warning of danger. But the church does not
realize the situation. She is sleeping on guard. In this time of peril
fathers and mothers must arouse and work as for life, or many of the
youth will be forever lost
God’s Law Must Be Upheld—The church has a special work to
do in educating and training its children that they may not, in attending
school, or in any other association, be influenced by those of corrupt
habits. The world is full of iniquity and disregard of the requirements
of God....
The Protestant churches have accepted the spurious Sabbath, the
child of the Papacy, and have exalted it above God’s holy, sanctified
day. It is our work to make plain to our children that the first day of
the week is not the true Sabbath, and that its observance, after light
has come to us as to what is the true Sabbath, is a plain contradiction
of the law of God
Skilled Workers Must Be Trained for Christ—As a church, as
individuals, if we would stand clear in the judgment, we must make
more liberal efforts for the training of our young people, that they may
[313]
be better fitted for the various branches of the great work committed
to our hands. We should lay wise plans, in order that the ingenious
minds of those who have talent may be strengthened and disciplined
and polished after the highest order, that the work of Christ may not
1
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 167
.
2
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 165
.
3
Testimonies For The Church 6:193
.
238