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to labor to sustain them, and to keep their influence over the minds of
the people, by endless repetition of fables and childish traditions. The
loftiest models of public instruction consisted largely in going through
heartless rounds of unmeaning ceremonies, and in the repetition of
frivolous opinions. The teaching of Jesus inculcated the weightiest
ideas and the most sublime truths in the most comprehensible and
simple manner, and “the common people heard Him gladly.” This is
the kind of instruction that should be given in our Sabbath schools.
Light, heaven’s light, must be reflected from Jesus, the wonderful
Teacher, and the souls of the children and youth must be illumined
with the divine glory of His character and love. Thus the children may
be led in beautiful simplicity to “the Lamb of God, which taketh away
the sin of the world.”—
Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work, 39, 40
.
Fresh Themes to Be Presented
The soul should be like a treasure house, full of rich and beautiful
stores. In the pulpit, in the Sabbath school, in the prayer meeting,
and in society, we should have fresh themes with which to enlighten
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others. We should follow the example of Jesus, who was the perfect
Teacher. He educated men by revealing to them the character of the
living God. He said, “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee,
the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” This is the
important subject to impress upon the minds of youth; for they must
have a knowledge of the paternal character of God, in order that they
may be led to subordinate temporal to eternal interests. By beholding
the character of God, an intense desire will be created in their hearts
to impart to others the beauty and power of truth.
The Transforming Power of Religion
Oh, that every man, woman, and child who deals with human
minds, may have the truth inwrought in the soul, that it may be revealed
in spirit, in word, in character, and in action! The sanctifying power of
the truth should lead every one who teaches in the Sabbath school, or
holds a position in our institutions, to have such an experience that he
may say, “I know whom I have believed.” There is transforming power
in the religion of Jesus Christ, and this power must be seen upon us in
far greater humility, in more earnest, living faith, that we may become