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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
their example and by advancing erroneous ideas, of unconsciously
aiding the enemy in his work, leading souls to regard that as best for
them which will bring the least good and be of the least benefit to their
souls.
The plans devised and carried out for the education of our youth
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are none too broad. They should not have a one-sided education, but
all their powers should receive equal attention. Moral philosophy, the
study of the Scriptures, and physical training should be combined with
the studies usually pursued in schools. Every power—physical, mental,
and moral—needs to be trained, disciplined, and developed, that it
may render its highest service; for unless all are equally developed,
one faculty cannot do its work thoroughly without overtaxing some
part of the human machinery.
Much has been said and written in regard to the importance of
training the mind for its highest service. This has sometimes led to the
opinion that if the intellect is educated to put forth its highest powers,
it will strengthen the physical and moral nature, for the development
of the whole man. Time and experience have proved this to be an error.
We have seen men and women go forth as graduates from college
who were in no way qualified to make a proper use of the wonderful
physical organism with which God had provided them. The whole
body is designed for action, not for inaction. If the physical powers are
not taxed equally with the mental, too much strain is brought upon the
latter. Unless every part of the human machinery performs its allotted
tasks, the mental powers cannot be used to their highest capability
for any length of time. Natural powers must be governed by natural
laws, and the faculties must be educated to work harmoniously and in
accord with these laws. The teachers in our schools can disregard none
of these particulars without shirking responsibility. Pride may lead
them to seek for a high worldly standard of intellectual attainment,
that students may make a brilliant show; but when it comes to solid
acquirements,—those which are essential to fit men and women for
any and every emergency in practical life,—such students are only
partially prepared to make life a success. Their defective education
often leads to failure in whatever branch of business they undertake.
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Gymnasium exercises may in some instances be an advantage.
They were brought in to supply the want of useful physical training,
and have become popular with educational institutions; but they are