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Counsels on Sabbath School Work
moral independence. He will set an example that will be consistent
with his profession, coming out from the world, and maintaining a
separation from its spirit and fashions. He will not be turned in the
least from his steadfast purpose to be one with Christ, nor yield an iota
from his stand of fidelity to God, in opposition to pride, to indulgence
in selfish amusement, to expenditure of means for the gratification
of inclination or love of display, but will be an example in spirit,
deportment, and dress.
Sabbath school worker, which will you meet, the standard of Christ
or that of the world? Oh, will you say, “I will lift the cross and follow
Jesus”? Will you not cultivate His tenderness in persuasion, His
earnestness in exhortation, and exemplify the exalted principles of the
truth, manifesting in life and character what the religion of Christ has
done for you? Shall we not all heed the exhortation of the apostle,
“Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh,
to fulfill the lusts thereof”?
There is need of representing genuine religion before the youth.
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Such religion will prove a vital power, an all-pervading influence.
From heartfelt devotion, joyousness, freshness, and continual growth,
will spring, and this is the religion that the youth must behold if they
are to be drawn to Christ. This kind of religion will leave its divine
impression upon souls, and its possessor will be renewed both mentally
and physically by the refreshing grace of God.
Try it for one year, you who are educators and teachers in our Sab-
bath and day schools, and see if you will not be able to say, “The Lord
hath wrought wondrously for us, for many souls have been brought to
the Master, as precious sheaves for the heavenly garner.”—
Testimonies
on Sabbath-School Work, 45, 46
.
Self-examination
The Lord would have the teachers of our Sabbath schools examine
themselves whether they be in the love of God. There will be tests
and provings of God to try the character in the experience of all who
are working in the cause of God. The teachers should be constantly
learning and striving for a more thorough understanding, a right judg-
ment in the things of God . There is danger of the teachers becoming
self-confident, and so filled with self-esteem that they will not realize