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take indecent liberties. The habit of self-abuse has debased their minds
and tainted their souls. Vile thoughts, and the reading of novels, love
stories, and vile books excite their imagination, and just such suit their
depraved minds.
They do not love work, and when engaged in labor they complain
of fatigue; their backs ache, their heads ache. Is there not sufficient
cause? Are they fatigued because of their labor? No, no! Yet the
parents indulge these children in their complaints and release them
from labor and responsibility. This is the very worst thing that they
can do for them. They are thus removing almost the only barrier
that prevents Satan from having free access to their weakened minds.
Useful labor would in some measure be a safeguard from his decided
control of them.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:481
(1870).
The Youth Will Use Energies—Youthful talent, well organized
and well trained, is needed in our churches. The youth will do some-
thing with their overflowing energies. Unless these energies are di-
rected into right channels, they will be used by the youth in a way that
will hurt their own spirituality and prove an injury to those with whom
they associate.—
Gospel Workers, 211
(1915).
Youth Need Activity—The young naturally desire activity, and
if they find no legitimate scope for their pent-up energies after the
confinement of the schoolroom, they become restless and impatient
of control and thus are led to engage in the rude, unmanly sports that
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disgrace so many schools and colleges and even to plunge into scenes
of actual dissipation. Many of the youth who left their homes innocent
are corrupted by their associations at school.—
The Signs of the Times,
June 29, 1882
, (
Fundamentals of Christian Education, 72
.)
Respond to Suggestion—No recreation helpful only to them-
selves will prove so great a blessing to the children and youth as
that which makes them helpful to others. Naturally enthusiastic and
impressible, the young are quick to respond to suggestion. In planning
for the culture of plants, let the teacher seek to awaken an interest in
beautifying the school grounds and the schoolroom. A double ben-
efit will result. That which the pupils seek to beautify they will be
unwilling to have marred or defaced. A refined taste, a love of order,
and a habit of caretaking will be encouraged; and the spirit of fel-
lowship and cooperation developed will prove to the pupils a lifelong
blessing.—
Education, 212, 213
(1903).