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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee” (
Psalm 119:9,
11
).—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 460
(1890).
Character Revealed by Choice of Reading—The nature of one’s
religious experience is revealed by the character of the books one
chooses to read in one’s leisure moments. In order to have a healthy
tone of mind and sound religious principles, the youth must live in
communion with God through His Word. Pointing out the way of
salvation through Christ, the Bible is our guide to a higher, better
life. It contains the most interesting and the most instructive history
and biography that were ever written. Those whose imagination has
not become perverted by the reading of fiction will find the Bible the
most interesting of books.—
The Youth’s Instructor, October 9, 1902
.
(
Messages to Young People, 273, 274
.)
Some Books Confuse the Mind—Many of the books piled up in
the great libraries of earth confuse the mind more than they aid the
understanding. Yet men spend large sums of money in the purchase
[109]
of such books, and years in their study, when they have within their
reach a Book containing the words of Him who is the Alpha and
Omega of wisdom. The time spent in a study of these books might
better be spent in gaining a knowledge of Him whom to know aright
is life eternal. Those only who gain this knowledge will at last hear
the words, “Ye are complete in Him” (
Colossians 2:10
).—(Pamphlet)
Words of Counsel, 1903. (
Counsels on Health, 369
.)
Confused Understanding—When the Word of God is laid aside
for books that lead away from God and that confuse the understanding
regarding the principles of the kingdom of heaven, the education given
is a perversion of the name. Unless the student has pure mental food,
thoroughly winnowed from the so-called higher education, which is
mingled with infidel sentiments, he cannot truly know God. Only those
who cooperate with heaven in the plan of salvation can know what true
education in its simplicity means.—
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and
Students, 15
(1913).
Despotic Power of Infidel Authors (words from the angel in-
structor)—Human minds are easily charmed by Satan’s lies; and
these works produce a distaste for the contemplation of the Word of
God, which if received and appreciated, will ensure eternal life to the
receiver. You are creatures of habit and should remember that right
habits are blessings both in their effect on your own character and