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temporarily suspended, as is sometimes the case, that gentlemen are
permitted to accompany ladies to and from public gatherings.
Our own college at Battle Creek has similar regulations, though
not so stringent. Such rules are indispensable to guard the youth
from the danger of premature courtship and unwise marriage. Young
people are sent to school by their parents to obtain an education, not
to flirt with the opposite sex. The good of society, as well as the
highest interest of the students, demands that they shall not attempt to
select a life partner while their own character is yet undeveloped, their
judgment immature, and while they are at the same time deprived of
parental care and guidance.—
The Signs of the Times, March 2, 1882
.
(
Fundamentals of Christian Education, 62
.)
[303]
Factors of Age, Conditions, and Turn of Mind—In all our deal-
ings with students, age and character must be taken into account. We
cannot treat the young and the old just alike. There are circumstances
under which men and women of sound experience and good standing
may be granted some privileges not given to the younger students. The
age, the conditions, and the turn of mind must be taken into considera-
tion. We must be wisely considerate in all our work. But we must not
lessen our firmness and vigilance in dealing with students of all ages
or our strictness in forbidding the unprofitable and unwise association
of young and immature students.—
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and
Students, 101
(1913).
Perils of Infatuation—Some of those who attend the college do
not properly improve their time. Full of the buoyancy of youth, they
spurn the restraint that is brought to bear upon them. Especially do
they rebel against the rules that will not allow young gentlemen to pay
their attentions to young ladies. Full well is known the evil of such a
course in this degenerate age.
In a college where so many youth are associated, imitating the
customs of the world in this respect would turn the thoughts in a chan-
nel that would hinder them in their pursuit of knowledge and in their
interest in religious things. The infatuation on the part of both young
men and women in thus placing the affections upon each other during
school days shows a lack of good judgment. As in your own case,
blind impulse controls reason and judgment. Under this bewitching
delusion the momentous responsibility felt by every sincere Christian