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Messages to Young People
Purity Not Dependent on Circumstances
None will ever be called to perfect Christian character under more
unfavorable circumstances than that of our Saviour. The fact that Christ
lived thirty years in Nazareth, from which many thought it a wonder
if any good thing could come, is a rebuke to the youth who consider
that their religious character must conform to circumstances. If the
surroundings of youth are unpleasant and positively bad, many make
this an excuse for not perfecting Christian character. The example
of Christ would rebuke the idea that His followers are dependent
upon place, fortune, or prosperity, in order to live blameless lives.
Christ would teach them that their faithfulness would make any place
or position, where the providence of God called them, honorable,
however humble.
The life of Christ was designed to show that purity, stability, and
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firmness of principle are not dependent upon a life freed from hard-
ships, poverty, and adversity. The trials and privations of which so
many youth complain, Christ endured without murmuring. And this
discipline is the very experience the youth need, which will give firm-
ness to their characters, and make them like Christ, strong in spirit to
resist temptation. They will not, if they separate from the influence
of those who would lead them astray and corrupt their morals, be
overcome by the devices of Satan. Through daily prayer to God, they
will have wisdom and grace from Him to bear the conflict and stern
realities of life, and come off victorious. Fidelity and serenity of mind
can only be retained by watchfulness and prayer. Christ’s life was
an example of persevering energy, which was not allowed to become
weakened by reproach, ridicule, privation or hardships.
Thus should it be with the youth. If trials increase upon them, they
may know that God is testing and proving their fidelity. And in just that
degree that they maintain their integrity of character under discourage-
ments, will their fortitude, stability, and power of endurance increase,
and they wax strong in spirit.—
The Youth’s Instructor, March, 1872
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Death Before Dishonor
Choose poverty, reproach, separation from friends, or any suffer-
ing, rather than to defile the soul with sin. Death before dishonor or the