Workers in our College
77
workers. They counseled together and united in humble, fervent prayer
for divine guidance. There has been a decline in the true missionary
spirit among ministers and teachers. Yet Christ’s coming is nearer than
when we believed. Every passing day leaves us one less to proclaim
the message of warning to the world. Would that there were today
more earnest intercession with God, greater humility, greater purity,
and greater faith.
All are in constant danger. I warn the church to beware of those
who preach to others the word of life but do not themselves cherish
the spirit of humility and self-denial which it inculcates. Such men
cannot be depended on in a crisis. They disregard the voice of God
as readily as did Saul, and like him many stand ready to justify their
course. When rebuked by the Lord through His prophet, Saul stoutly
asserted that he had obeyed the voice of God; but the bleating sheep
and lowing oxen testified that he had not. In the same manner do many
today assert their loyalty to God, but their concerts and other pleasure
gatherings, their worldly associations, their glorifying of self, and their
eager desire for popularity all testify that they have not obeyed His
voice. “As for My people, children are their oppressors, and women
rule over them.”
That is a high standard which the gospel sets before us. The
consistent Christian is not only a new but a noble creature in Christ
Jesus. He is an unfailing light to show others the way to heaven and to
God. He who is drawing his life from Christ will have no desire for
the frivolous, unsatisfying enjoyments of the world.
Among the youth will be found great diversity of character and
education. Some have lived in an element of arbitrary restraint and
harshness, which has developed in them a spirit of obstinacy and
defiance. Others have been household pets, allowed by overfond
[89]
parents to follow their own inclinations. Every defect has been excused,
until their character is deformed. To deal successfully with these
different minds the teacher needs to exercise great tact and delicacy in
management, as well as firmness in government.
Dislike and even contempt for proper regulations will often be
manifested. Some will exercise all their ingenuity in evading penalties,
while others will display a reckless indifference to the consequences of
transgression. All this will call for more patience and greater exertion
on the part of those who are entrusted with their education.