Chapter 3—Association of Young With Old
Laborers Together With God
Children should be so educated that they will sympathize with the
aged and afflicted and will seek to alleviate the sufferings of the poor
and distressed. They should be taught to be diligent in missionary
work; and from their earliest years self-denial and sacrifice for the good
of others and the advancement of Christ’s cause should be inculcated,
that they may be laborers together with God.—
Testimonies for the
Church 6:429
.
Many youth who have but little experience push themselves for-
ward, manifest no reverence for age or office, and take offense if
counseled or reproved. We have already more of these self-important
ones than we want. God calls for modest, quiet, sober-minded youth,
and men of mature age, who are well-balanced with principle, who can
pray as well as talk, who will rise up before the aged, and treat gray
hairs with respect.—
The Review and Herald, November 13, 1883
.
God has especially enjoined tender respect toward the aged. He
says, “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of
righteousness (
Proverbs 16:31
). It tells of battles fought, and victories
gained; of burdens borne, and temptations resisted. It tells of weary
feet nearing their rest, of places soon to be vacant. Help the children
to think of this, and they will smooth the path of the aged by their
courtesy and respect, and will bring grace and beauty into their young
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lives as they heed the command to “rise up before the hoary head, and
honor the face of the old man” (
Leviticus 19:32
).—
Education, 244
.
Older Ministers Should Educate Younger Workers
God calls upon His aged servants to act as counselors, to teach the
young men what to do in cases of emergency. Aged workers are to
bear, as did John, a living testimony of real experience. And when
these faithful workers are laid away to rest, with the words, “Blessed
are the dead which die in the Lord” (
Revelation 14:13
), there should
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