Chapter 19—True Principles in Education
(Copied April 2, 1896.)
I am constantly burdened in regard to the work that should be
done for the youth; for how can they become missionaries for Christ
unless a different kind of education be given them? The so-called
higher education of the present day is a misnamed deception. Higher
education is that which places the Bible as the very foundation of all
education. In educating the youth there is need of that wisdom which
comes only from God.
It is a mistake to put into the hands of the youth books which puzzle
and confuse them, a study of which cannot fail to mix things in their
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minds. The reason given for this study is that the teacher has passed
over the same ground, and the student must follow. But if teachers
were receiving light and wisdom from the Divine Teacher, they would
look at these things in a very different way. They would measure the
relative importance of the things to be learned in school; the common,
essential branches of education would be more thoroughly taught, and
the word of God would be honored and esteemed as the Bread sent
down from heaven, which sustains all spiritual life, binding the human
agent with Christ in God. “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my
blood,” said Christ, “hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the
last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and
I in him.” “It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing:
the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
If the teachers in our schools would search the Scriptures for the
purpose of understanding them for their individual selves, opening
their hearts to the precious rays of light God has given in his word,
if they would walk in the light God has given, they would be taught
of God. They would practise the truth, and would labor in entirely
different lines, bringing in less of the theories and sentiments of men
who have never had a connection with God. They would honor finite
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