Principles of Study and Learning
281
have high moral qualities and can be trusted with the education of
others, men who are sound in the faith and have tact and patience, who
walk with God and abstain from the very appearance of evil, who stand
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so closely connected with God that they can be channels of light—in
short, Christian gentlemen. The good impressions made by such will
never be effaced, and the training thus given will endure throughout
eternity. What is neglected in this training process is likely to remain
undone. Who will undertake this work?
We would that there were strong young men, rooted and grounded
in the faith, who had such a living connection with God that they could,
if so counseled by our leading brethren, enter the higher colleges in our
land, where they would have a wider field for study and observation.
Association with different classes of minds, an acquaintance with the
workings and results of popular methods of education, and a knowledge
of theology as taught in the leading institutions of learning would be of
great value to such workers, preparing them to labor for the educated
classes and to meet the prevailing errors of our time. Such was the
method pursued by the ancient Waldenses; and, if true to God, our
youth, like theirs, might do a good work, even while gaining their
education, in sowing the seeds of truth in other minds.—
Testimonies
for the Church 5:583, 584
(1885).
Correct Habits Leave Impress on Character—The formation of
correct habits is to leave its impress upon the mind and characters of the
children that they may practice the right way. It means much to bring
these children under the direct influence of the Spirit of God, training
and disciplining them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The
formation of correct habits, the exhibition of a right spirit, will call
for earnest efforts in the name and strength of Jesus. The instructor
must persevere, giving line upon line, precept upon precept, here a
little and there a little, in all long-suffering and patience, sympathy
and love, binding these children to his heart by the love of Christ
revealed in himself.—
Christian Education, 153 (1893).
(
Fundamentals
of Christian Education, 268
.)
Characters Not Formed in One Mold—Teachers are to consider
that they are not dealing with angels, but human beings with like pas-
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sions as they themselves have. Characters are not formed in one mold.
There is every phase of character received by children as an inheritance.
The defects and the virtues in traits of character are thus revealed. Let