Cause in Iowa
395
Those students who profess to love God and obey the truth should
possess that degree of self-control and strength of religious principle
that will enable them to remain unmoved amid temptations and to
stand up for Jesus in the college, at their boardinghouses, or wherever
they may be. Religion is not to be worn merely as a cloak in the
house of God, but religious principle must characterize the entire
life. Those who are drinking at the fountain of life will not, like
the worldling, manifest a longing desire for change and pleasure.
In their deportment and character will be seen the rest and peace
and happiness that they have found in Jesus by daily laying their
perplexities and burdens at His feet. They will show that there is
contentment and even joy in the path of obedience and duty. Such will
exert an influence over their fellow students which will tell upon the
entire school. Those who compose this faithful army will refresh and
strengthen the teachers and professors in their efforts by discouraging
every species of unfaithfulness, of discord, and of neglect to comply
with the rules and regulations. Their influence will be saving, and
their works will not perish in the great day of God, but will follow
them into the future world; and the influence of their life here will tell
throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. One earnest, conscientious,
faithful young man in school is an inestimable treasure. Angels of
heaven look lovingly upon him. His precious Saviour loves him, and
in the Ledger of Heaven will be recorded every work of righteousness,
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every temptation resisted, every evil overcome. He will thus be laying
up a good foundation against the time to come, that he may lay hold
on eternal life.
The course pursued at the college by Brother C, in seeking the
society of young ladies, was wrong. This was not the object for
which he was sent to Battle Creek. Students are not sent here to
form attachments, to indulge in flirtation or courting, but to obtain an
education. Should they be allowed to follow their own inclinations
in this respect, the college would soon become demoralized. Several
have used their precious school days in slyly flirting and courting,
notwithstanding the vigilance of professors and teachers. When a
teacher of any of the branches takes advantage of his position to win
the affections of his students with a view to marriage, his course is
worthy of severest censure.