Faithful Reproofs Necessary
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the wrath of God will, in an unexpected moment, break forth upon
him. “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly
be destroyed, and that without remedy.” This young man has made
light of his father’s authority, and despised restraint. The fear of the
Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It lies at the foundation of a proper
education. Those who, having a favorable opportunity, have failed to
learn this first great lesson, are not only disqualified for service in the
cause of God, but are a positive injury to the community in which they
live.
Solomon exhorts the youth: “My son, hear the instruction of thy
father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: for they shall be an
ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. My son,
if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.... Wisdom crieth without;
she uttereth her voice in the streets: she crieth in the chief place of
concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her
words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and
the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn
you at My reproof: behold, I will pour out My Spirit unto you, I will
make known My words unto you.
“Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out My
hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all My counsel,
and would none of My reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will
mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation,
and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish
cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer;
they shall seek Me early, but they shall not find Me: for that they hated
knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: they would none
of My counsel: they despised all My reproof. Therefore shall they eat
of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For
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the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of
fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto Me shall dwell
safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.”
Order should be maintained in our different institutions at-----.
Insubordination should be overruled. None should be retained in the
office who have been instructed by Sabbath-keeping parents and have
been privileged to hear the truth yet rebel against its teachings. No
persons should be connected with the sacred work of God who speak
lightly of it or treat our holy faith with disrespect. Those who have