Proper Education
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college bring care, burdens, and weighty responsibility, not only upon
teachers, but on the entire church.
The students at our college are exposed to manifold temptations.
They will be brought in contact with individuals of almost every stamp
of mind and morals. Those who have any religious experience are
censurable if they do not place themselves in a position to resist every
evil influence. But many choose to follow inclination. They do not
consider that they must make or mar their own happiness. It is in their
own power to so improve their time and opportunities as to develop a
character that will make them happy and useful.
The youth who reside at Battle Creek are in constant danger be-
cause they do not connect with heaven. If they would be true to their
profession they might be living missionaries for God. By manifesting
Christian interest, sympathy, and love, they might greatly benefit the
youth who come to Battle Creek from other places. An earnest effort
should be made to keep these strangers from choosing superficial,
frivolous, pleasure-seeking associates. This class exert a demoralizing
influence upon the college, upon the sanitarium, and upon the office
of publication. Our numbers are constantly increasing, and vigilance
and zeal to keep the fort are steadily decreasing. If they will open their
eyes, all may see whither these things are tending.
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Many move to Battle Creek to give their children the advantages
of the college, and at the same time do not feel their own responsibility
in making this move. They do not realize that something more is to be
considered than their own selfish interest; that they may be a hindrance
instead of a blessing, unless they come with the full purpose to do
good as well as to get good. Yet none need lose their spirituality in
coming to Battle Creek; if we will follow Christ, it is not in the power
of any to lead us astray from the path cast up for the ransomed of the
Lord to walk in. No one is compelled to copy the errors of professed
Christians. If he sees the mistakes and faults of others, he will be
responsible before God and before his fellow men if he does not set a
better example. But some make the faults of others an excuse for their
own defects of character, and even copy the very objectionable traits
which they condemn. Such persons strengthen those of whom they
complain as pursuing an unchristian course. With their eyes open they
walk into the enemy’s snare. Not a few in Battle Creek have pursued
this course. Some have come to the place where our institutions are