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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
spirit of these youth, and he is almost imperceptibly drawn more and
more into their company. His stronghold seems to be giving way; his
hitherto brave heart is growing weak. He is invited to accompany them
for a walk, and they lead him to a saloon. Oysters or other refreshments
are called for, and he is ashamed to draw away and refuse the treat.
Having once overstepped the bounds, he goes again and again. A glass
of beer is thought to be unobjectionable, and he accepts it; but still,
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with all, there are sharp twinges of conscience. He does not openly
take his stand on the side of God and truth and righteousness; the
society of the sly, deceptive class with which he is associated pleases
him, and he is led a step further. His tempters urge that it is certainly
harmless to play a game of cards and to watch the players in a billiard
hall, and he yields repeatedly to the temptation.
Young men attend our college who, unsuspected by parents or
guardians, hang about saloons, drink beer, and play cards and games in
billiard halls. These things the students try to keep a profound secret
among themselves; and professors and teachers are kept in ignorance
of the satanic work going on. When this young man is enticed to
pursue some evil course which must be kept secret, he has a battle
with conscience; but inclination triumphs. He meant to be a Christian
when he came to Battle Creek, but he is led steadily and surely in
the downward road. Evil companions and seducers found among the
youth of Sabbathkeeping parents, some of them living in Battle Creek,
find that he can be tempted; and they secretly exult in their power and
the fact that he is weak and will yield so readily to their seductive
influences. They find that he can be shamed and confused by those
who have had light and who have hardened their hearts in sin. Just such
influences as these will be found wherever youth associate together.
The time will come when that young man who left his father’s
house pure and true, with noble purposes, will be ruined. He has
learned to love the evil and reject the good. He did not realize his
danger, not being armed with watchfulness and prayer. He did not
place himself at once under the guardian care of the church. He was
made to believe that it was manly to be independent, not allowing
his liberty to be restricted. He was taught that to ignore rules and
defy laws was to enjoy true freedom; that it was slavish to be always
fearing and trembling lest he do wrong. He yielded to the influence of
ungodly persons who, while carrying a fair exterior, were practicing