218
Counsels for the Church
like the frogs of Egypt, are overspreading the land, are not merely
commonplace, idle, and enervating, but unclean and degrading. Their
effect is not merely to intoxicate and ruin the mind, but to corrupt and
destroy the sou
In the education of children and youth, fairy tales, myths, and
fictitious stories are now given a large place. Books of this character
are used in schools, and they are to be found in many homes. How
can Christian parents permit their children to use books so filled with
falsehood? When the children ask the meaning of stories so contrary
to the teaching of their parents, the answer is that the stories are not
true; but this does not do away with the evil results of their use. The
ideas presented in these books mislead the children. They impart false
views of life and beget and foster a desire for the unreal.
The widespread use of such books at this time is one of the cunning
devices of Satan. He is seeking to divert the minds of old and young
from the great work of character building. He means that our children
and youth shall be swept away by the soul-destroying deceptions
with which he is filling the world. Therefore he seeks to divert their
minds from the word of God and thus prevent them from obtaining a
knowledge of those truths that would be their safeguard.
Never should books containing a perversion of truth be placed in
the hands of children or youth. Let not our children, in the very process
of obtaining an education, receive ideas that will prove to be seeds of
sin
Another source of danger against which we should be constantly
on guard is the reading of infidel authors. Such works are inspired by
the enemy of truth, and no one can read them without imperiling the
soul.
[170]
It is true that some who are affected by them may finally recover;
but all who tamper with their evil influence place themselves on Satan’s
ground, and he makes the most of his advantage. As they invite his
temptations they have not wisdom to discern or strength to resist them.
With a fascinating, bewitching power, unbelief and infidelity fasten
themselves upon the mind
240
Education, 189, 190
241
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 384, 385
242
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 135, 136