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Words of Counsel
It is in the order of God that the physical as well as the mental
powers shall be trained; but the character of the physical exercise
taken should be in complete harmony with the lessons given by
Christ to His disciples. Those lessons should be exemplified in the
lives of Christians so that in all the education and self-training of
teachers and students the heavenly agencies may not record of them
that they are “lovers of pleasures.” This is the record now being
made of a large number, “Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of
God.”
2 Timothy 3:4
. Thus Satan and his angels are laying their
snares for souls. They are working upon the minds of teachers and
students to induce them to engage in exercises and amusements
which become intensely absorbing, and which are of a character to
strengthen the lower passions and to create appetites and passions
that will counteract the operations of the Spirit of God upon human
hearts.
All the teachers in a school need exercise, a change of employ-
ment. God has pointed out what this should be—useful, practical
work. But many have turned away from God’s plan to follow human
inventions to the detriment of spiritual life. Amusements are doing
more to counteract the working of the Holy Spirit than anything else,
and the Lord is grieved.
Those teachers who have not a progressive religious experience,
who are not learning daily lessons in the school of Christ, that they
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may be examples to the flock, but who accept their wages as the
main consideration, are not fit for the solemn position they occupy.
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves,” the word of God declares,
“and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you
overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with
His own blood.” “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking
the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy
lucre, but of a ready mind.”
Acts 20:28
;
1 Peter 5:2
. These words are
spoken to the teachers in all our schools, which are established, as
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