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of those brought under their influence. It is nice work to deal with
minds, and it should be entered upon with fear and trembling. 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
greater appreciation of the infinite price I paid for their redemption?”
All connected with our college must be men and women who have
the fear of God before them and His love in their hearts. They should
make their religion attractive to the youth who come within the sphere
of their influence. The professors and teachers should constantly feel
their dependence upon God. Their work is in this world, but the Source
of wisdom and knowledge from which they must continually draw
is above. Self must not obtain the mastery. The Spirit of God must
control. They must walk humbly with God, and they should feel their
responsibility, which is not less than that of the minister. The influence
which professors and teachers exert upon the youth in our college will
be carried wherever these youth may go. A sacred influence should go
forth from that college to meet the moral darkness existing everywhere.
When I was shown by the angel of God that an institution should be
established for the education of our youth I saw that it would be one
of the greatest means ordained of God for the salvation of souls.
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Those who would make a success in the education of the youth
must take them as they are, not as they ought to be nor as they will be
when they come from under their training. With dull scholars they will
have a trial, and they must bear patiently with their ignorance. With
sensitive, nervous students they must deal tenderly and very kindly,
remembering that they are hereafter to meet their students before the
judgment seat of Christ. A sense of their own imperfections should
constantly lead educators to cherish feelings of tender sympathy and
forbearance for those who are struggling with the same difficulties.