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Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students
point to another in intellectual and spiritual attainment. Teachers
should strive to realize the greatness of their work. They need
enlarged views; for their work, in its importance, ranks with that
of the Christian minister. With persevering faith they are to hold to
the Infinite One, saying as did Jacob, “I will not let Thee go, except
Thou bless me.”
Genesis 32:26
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Offering to God Our Best
Students are to offer to God nothing less than their best. Mental
effort will become easier and more satisfactory as they set themselves
to the task of understanding the deep things of God. Each should
decide that he will not be a second-rate student, that he will not
allow others to think for him. He should say, “That which other
minds have acquired in the sciences and in the word of God, I will
acquire through painstaking effort.” He should rally the best powers
of the mind and, with a sense of his accountability to God, do his
best to conquer difficulties. And as far as possible, he should seek
the society of those who are able to help him, who can detect his
mistakes, and put him on his guard against indolence, pretense, and
surface work.
The true motive of service is to be kept before students. The
training they receive is to help them to develop into useful men
and women. Every means that will uplift and ennoble them is to be
employed. They are to be taught to use their powers in harmony with
God’s will. The influence exerted by a true, pure life is ever to be
kept before them. This will aid them in their preparation for service.
Daily they will grow stronger, better prepared, through the grace
of Christ and a study of His word, to put forth aggressive efforts
against evil.
* * * * *
No other knowledge is so firm, so consistent, so far-reaching, as
that obtained from the study of God’s word. Here is the fountain of
all true knowledge.
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