Basic HTML Version
78
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students
youth choose the society of the evil-disposed, and go on from bad to
worse, then the teachers are censured and the school is denounced.
In many cases the censure justly belongs to the parents. They had
the first and most favorable opportunity to control and train their
children when the spirit was teachable and the mind and heart were
easily impressed. But through the slothfulness of the parents the
children are permitted to follow their own will until they become
hardened in an evil course.
Let parents study less of the world and more of Christ; let them
put forth less effort to imitate the customs and fashions of the world,
and devote more time and effort to molding the minds and characters
of their children according to the divine model. Then they could
send forth their sons and daughters fortified by pure morals and a
noble purpose, to receive an education for positions of usefulness
and trust. Teachers who are controlled by the love and fear of God
could lead such youth still onward and upward, training them to be
[92]
a blessing to the world and an honor to their Creator.
Connected with God, every instructor will exert an influence to
lead his pupils to study God’s word and obey His law. He will direct
their minds to the contemplation of eternal interests, opening before
them vast fields for thought, grand and ennobling themes, which the
most vigorous intellect may put forth all its powers to grasp, and yet
feel that there is an infinity beyond.
The Need of Counseling Together
The evils of self-esteem and an unsanctified independence, which
most impair our usefulness, and which will prove our ruin if not over-
come, spring from selfishness. “Counsel together” is the message
which has been again and again repeated to me by the angel of God.
By influencing one man’s judgment, Satan may endeavor to control
matters to suit himself. He may succeed in misleading the minds
of two persons; but when several consult together, there is more
safety. Every plan will be more closely criticized, every advance
move more carefully studied. Hence there will be less danger of
precipitate, ill-advised moves, which would bring confusion and
perplexity. In union there is strength; in division there is weakness
and defeat.