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The Beginning of the End
promote health, to lengthen life, and to heighten our enjoyment of
all its blessings. It opens a never-failing fountain of happiness. No
real joy can be found in the path forbidden by Him who knows what
is best.
We may profitably study the physical as well as the religious
training in the schools of the Hebrews. There is a close relationship
between the mind and the body. In order to reach a high moral and
intellectual standard, we must obey the laws that control our physical
being.
And now, as in the days of Israel, every young person should
learn some type of manual labor. Young men and women should
be taught to work, even if they could be certain of never needing to
resort to manual labor for support. Without physical exercise, no
one can have vigorous health. The discipline of well-regulated labor
is essential to a strong and active mind and a noble character.
Every student should devote a portion of each day to active work.
This would shield the youth from many evil and degrading practices
that often result from being lazy. Work is in harmony with the
primary purpose of education.
If young people see the tender love the Father in heaven has
offered to them, and the dignity and honor to which He calls them—
even to become the sons and daughters of God—thousands will
firmly turn away from selfish aims and pleasures that have held their
attention until then. They will learn to hate sin, not merely because
of the hope of reward or fear of punishment, but from a sense of its
basic evil.
God does not ask the youth to lower their sights. By the grace of
God they are to set their goals higher than mere selfish and earthly
interests—as much higher as the heavens are higher than the earth.
And the education begun in this life will continue in the life to
come. “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the
heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love
Him.” (
1 Corinthians 2:9
). We will reach the fullness of joy and
blessing in eternity. Only eternity can reveal the glorious destiny to
which men and women, restored to God’s image, may achieve.
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