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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
say to our people, Look above the earthly to the heavenly. Numbers
are no evidence of success; if they were, Satan might claim much. It is
the degree of moral power that pervades our institutions, our schools,
and our churches. It should be the joy of all, from the highest to the
least, to represent Christ in Christlike virtues. Let all our teachers
learn that true piety, love shown in obedience to God, will elevate and
refine.—
Letter 316, 1908
.
Thoroughness Necessary—Thoroughness is necessary to success
in character building. There must be an earnest desire to carry out
the plans of the Master Builder. The timbers used must be solid; no
careless, unreliable work can be accepted; it would ruin the building.
The whole being is to be put into this work. It demands strength and
[353]
energy; there is no reserve to be wasted in unimportant matters. There
must be determined human force put into the work, in cooperation
with the Divine Worker. There must be earnest, persevering effort
to break away from the customs and maxims and associations of the
world. Deep thought, earnest purpose, steadfast integrity, are essential.
There must be no idleness. Life is a sacred trust; and every moment
should be wisely improved.—
The Youth’s Instructor, February 19,
1903
. (HC 84.)
Trivial Matters Enfeeble the Mind—The student who, in the
place of the broad principles of the Word of God, will accept common
ideas and will allow the time and attention to be absorbed in com-
monplace, trivial matters, will find his mind will become dwarfed and
enfeebled; he will lose the power of growth. The mind must be trained
to comprehend the important truths that concern eternal life.—
Letter
64, 1909
.
Temporal Affairs Not to Be Neglected—Life is too solemn to
be absorbed in temporal and earthly matters, in a treadmill of care
and anxiety for the things that are but an atom in comparison with the
things of eternal interest. Yet God has called us to serve Him in the
temporal affairs of life. Diligence in this work is as much a part of true
religion as is devotion. The Bible gives no endorsement to idleness. It
is the greatest curse that afflicts our world. Every man and woman who
is truly converted will be a diligent worker.—
Christ’s Object Lessons,
343
(1900).
The Quality of Men Called to Teach [
See Chapter 22, “The
School and the Teacher.”
]—The cause of God needs teachers who