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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
for you are, in the sight of God, “more precious than fine gold; even
... than the golden wedge of Ophir.” While multitudes are devoted to
mammon, and serve not the Holy One of Israel, there are a few who
have not defiled their garments, but have kept them unspotted from
the world; and these few will be a power. This class will have that
faith which works by love and purifies the soul. They will exemplify
lofty Christian principles. They will seek for personal connection with
the Source of light and will endeavor to make constant improvement,
cultivating every faculty to its fullest extent. God would have you
bring into your life the most unbending uprightness and integrity; this
will distinguish you before the world as children of the most high God.
Jesus was calm and gentle, not losing His self-command, even when
in stormy conflict, amid fiercest elements of opposition.
God says to you who have had great light: “Come up higher.”
Draw nearer to God and heaven. Go forward. You need faith, an
unfeigned love for your brethren, and a deeper interest in them. God
has entrusted you with sacred responsibilities. There is a mission field
for every member of the church, where he may exert an influence for
good.
Our college is not what it should be nor what it will be if our
brethren and sisters will feel that it is a sacred trust committed to them.
If they will elevate the standard of spirituality in the church, if they
will set an example of integrity in all their dealings, if all will cultivate
godliness and Christian dignity, then the influence of the college will
be widespread, and a light will go forth from it with rich blessings. I
have seen that if the college is properly conducted, many youth will
go forth from it to be active laborers in the cause of God. But let all
take heed lest in word or action they cast an influence against it or
against the truth by an unconsecrated life, by evil surmising, or by
evil report; for God will surely mark it against them. The college will
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always be obliged to struggle against difficulties because some men
lack faith and are not controlled by the mind of Christ. If Satan can find
persons among us who will watch for evil and speak disparagingly of
our institutions, picking up every little unpleasant thing that happens,
he is well pleased. He will not cease his efforts to lead persons to
depreciate the college because it does not in every particular meet
their ideas. If he sees that youth can be benefited he will press every