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Testimonies for the Church Volume 6
tures for a line of study that is not essential. If students thus educated
are ever fitted to work for souls, they will have to unlearn much that
they have learned. They will find the unlearning a difficult work; for
objectionable ideas have taken root in their minds like weeds in a
garden, and as a result some will never be able to distinguish between
right and wrong. The good and the evil have been mingled in their
education. The faces of men have been uplifted for them to behold,
and the theories of men have been exalted; so that as they attempt to
teach others, the little truth which they are able to repeat is interwoven
with the opinions and sayings and doings of men. The words of men
who give evidence that they have not a practical knowledge of Christ
should find no place in our schools. They will be hindrances to proper
education.
“You have the word of the living God, and for the asking you may
have the gift of the Holy Spirit to make that word a power to those
who believe and obey. The Holy Spirit’s work is to guide into all truth.
When you depend on the word of the living God with heart and mind
and soul, the channel of communication will be unobstructed. Deep,
earnest study of the word under the guidance of the Holy Spirit will
give you fresh manna, and the same Spirit will make its use effectual.
The exertion made by the youth to discipline the mind for high and
holy aspirations will be rewarded. Those who make persevering efforts
in this direction, putting the mind to the task of comprehending God’s
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word, are prepared to be laborers together with God.
“The world acknowledges as teachers some whom God cannot
endorse as safe instructors. By these the Bible is discarded, and the
productions of infidel authors are recommended as if they contained
those sentiments which should be woven into the character. What
can you expect from the sowing of this kind of seed? In the study
of these objectionable books the minds of teachers as well as of stu-
dents become corrupted, and the enemy sows his tares. It cannot be
otherwise. By drinking of an impure fountain, poison is introduced
into the system. Inexperienced youth taken over this line of study
receive impressions which lead their thoughts into channels that are
fatal to piety. Youth who have been sent to our schools have learned
from books which were thought to be safe because they were used and
encouraged in the schools of the world. But from the worldly schools