Chapter 10—Understanding
A Work Requiring Discernment and Discrimination—It is the
nicest and most critical work ever given to mortals to deal with minds.
Those who engage in this work should have clear discernment and
good powers of discrimination.
True independence of mind is an element entirely different from
rashness. That quality of independence which leads to a cautious,
prayerful, deliberate opinion should not be easily yielded, not until the
evidence is sufficiently strong to make it certain that we are wrong.
This independence will keep the mind calm and unchangeable amid
the multitudinous errors which prevail, and will lead those in respon-
sible positions to look carefully at the evidence on every side and
not be swayed by the influence of others, or by the surroundings, to
form conclusions without intelligent, thorough knowledge of all the
circumstances.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:104, 105
(1872).
An Exacting Task—Since man cost heaven so much, the price of
God’s dear Son, how carefully should ministers, teachers, and parents
deal with the souls of those brought under their influence. It is nice
work to deal with minds, and it should be entered upon with fear and
trembling.
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The educators of youth should maintain perfect self-control. To
destroy one’s influence over a human soul through impatience or in
order to maintain undue dignity and supremacy is a terrible mistake,
for it may be the means of losing that soul for Christ. The minds of
youth may become so warped by injudicious management that the
injury done may never be entirely overcome. The religion of Christ
should have a controlling influence on the education and training of
the young.
The Saviour’s example of self-denial, universal kindness, and long-
suffering love is a rebuke to impatient ministers and teachers. He
inquires of these impetuous instructors: “Is this the manner in which
you treat the souls of those for whom I gave My life? Have you no
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