Child Evangelism
507
who by inheritance and through neglect have objectionable traits of
character.—
The Ministry of Healing, 42-44
(1905).
Early Impressions Influence Later Life—The lessons taught to
children and youth make an impression upon their minds which in-
[581]
fluences their characters in a far greater degree than older persons
imagine. In my childhood a minister who came to my father’s house
at Poland, Maine, read the chapter in Acts in regard to the deliverance
of Peter, when an angel of God took the prey from the enemy who
had determined to destroy him. The chapter was read slowly and
solemnly, and it made an impression on my young mind that has kept
the narrative vividly before me to this day.
Now from the light given me of God, I know that as a people
we have not improved our opportunities for educating and training
the youth. We should teach them how to read and understand the
Scriptures. Wherever there is a Biblical institute for ministers and
people, we should, in connection with it, organize a class for the youth.
Their names should be registered. All should feel the importance of
the scheme of educating the youth to understand the Scriptures. Let
the work be taken hold of in the very simplicity of the truth itself.
Lead the minds of the youth from truth to truth, up higher and higher,
showing them how scripture interprets scripture, one passage being the
key to other passages. Thus the Scripture itself will be the educating
power, holding the thoughts in captivity to Christ.—
Letter 27a, 1892
.
Children’s Meetings in Evangelistic Efforts—The third angel is
flying in the midst of heaven and bears on his banner the inscription,
“The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” In every place
where the tent is pitched earnest efforts should be made from the first
to preach the gospel to the poor and to heal the sick. The work of
giving spiritual sight to the blind has added many souls to our number
of such as shall be saved.
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Meetings for the children should be held, not merely to educate
and entertain them, but that they may be converted. And this will
come to pass. If we exercise faith in God we shall be enabled to point
them to the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
All who attend our large gatherings are to be labored for. The high
and the low, the rich and the poor, are to be reached by this class of
labor.—
Manuscript 6, 1900
.