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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
(E) Independence of Mind
True Independence Not Stubbornness—True independence of
mind is not stubbornness. It leads the youth to form their opinions
on the Word of God, irrespective of what others may say or do. If
in the company of the unbelieving, the atheist, or the infidel, it leads
them to acknowledge and defend their belief in the sacred truths of the
gospel against the cavilings and witticisms of their ungodly associates.
If they are with those who think it is a virtue to parade the faults of
professed Christians and then scoff at religion, morality, and virtue,
real independence of mind will lead them courteously yet boldly to
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show that ridicule is a poor substitute for sound argument. It will
enable them to look beyond the caviler to the one who influences him,
the adversary of God and man, and to resist him in the person of his
agent.—
The Review and Herald, August 26, 1884
. (
Fundamentals of
Christian Education, 88, 89
.)
Individual Independence Needed—There are men who flatter
themselves that they might do something great and good if they were
only circumstanced differently, while they make no use of the faculties
they already have by working in the positions where Providence has
placed them. Man can make his circumstances, but circumstances
should never make the man. Man should seize circumstances as his
instruments with which to work. He should master circumstances, but
should never allow circumstances to master him. Individual indepen-
dence and individual power are the qualities now needed. Individual
character need not be sacrificed, but it should be modulated, refined,
elevated.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:496, 497
(1875).
How Far to Go in Independence—God would have His people
disciplined and brought into harmony of action that they may see eye
to eye and be of the same mind and of the same judgment. In order
to bring about this state of things, there is much to be done.... The
Lord would not have us yield up our individuality. But what man is a
proper judge of how far this matter of individual independence should
be carried? ...
Peter exhorts his brethren: “Likewise, ye younger, submit your-
selves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be
clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to
the humble.” The apostle Paul also exhorts his Philippian brethren to