Hindrances to Reform
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men.” Therefore “we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stum-
bling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which
are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the
wisdom of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:25, 23, 24
.
We need now to begin over again. Reforms must be entered into
with heart and soul and will. Errors may be hoary with age; but age
does not make error truth, nor truth error. Altogether too long have
the old customs and habits been followed. The Lord would now have
every idea that is false put away from teachers and students. We are
not at liberty to teach that which shall meet the world’s standard or
the standard of the church, simply because it is the custom to do so.
The lessons which Christ taught are to be the standard. That which
the Lord has spoken concerning the instruction to be given in our
schools is to be strictly regarded; for if there is not in some respects
an education of an altogether different character from that which has
been carried on in some of our schools, we need not have gone to the
expense of purchasing lands and erecting school buildings.
Some will urge that if religious teaching is to be made prominent
our schools will become unpopular; that those who are not of our faith
will not patronize them. Very well; then let them go to other schools,
where they will find a system of education that suits their taste. It is
Satan’s purpose by these considerations to prevent the attainment of
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the object for which our schools were established. Hindered by his
devices, the managers reason after the manner of the world and copy
its plans and imitate its customs. Many have so far shown their lack of
wisdom from above as to join with the enemies of God and the truth in
providing worldly entertainments for the students. In doing this they
bring upon themselves the frown of God, for they mislead the youth
and do a work for Satan. This work, with all its results, they must meet
at the bar of God.
Those who pursue such a course show that they cannot be trusted.
After the evil has been done, they may confess their error; but can they
undo the influence they have exerted? Will the “well done” be spoken
to those who have been false to their trust? These unfaithful workmen
have not built upon the eternal Rock, and their foundation will prove
to be sliding sand. When the Lord requires us to be distinct and
peculiar, how can we crave popularity or seek to imitate the customs
and practices of the world? “Know ye not that the friendship of the