Christian Education
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parents know what is being done, the lessons of depravity are learned,
and the souls of their little ones are corrupted.
Many families, who, for the purpose of educating their children,
move to places where our large schools are established, would do
better service for the Master by remaining where they are. They
should encourage the church of which they are members to establish a
church school where the children within their borders could receive an
all-round, practical Christian education. It would be vastly better for
their children, for themselves, and for the cause of God, if they would
remain in the smaller churches, where their help is needed, instead of
going to the larger churches, where, because they are not needed, there
is a constant temptation to fall into spiritual inactivity.
Wherever there are a few Sabbathkeepers, the parents should unite
in providing a place for a day school where their children and youth
can be instructed. They should employ a Christian teacher, who, as a
consecrated missionary, shall educate the children in such a way as to
lead them to become missionaries
We are under solemn, sacred covenant to God to bring up our
children for Him and not for the world; to teach them not to put
their hands into the hand of the world, but to love and fear God,
and to keep His commandments. They should be impressed with
the thought that they are formed in the image of their Creator and
that Christ is the pattern after which they are to be fashioned. Most
earnest attention must be given to the education which will impart a
knowledge of salvation, and will conform the life and character to the
divine similitude
To supply the need of laborers, God desires that educational centers
[204]
be established in different countries where students of promise may
be educated in the practical branches of knowledge and in Bible truth.
As these persons engage in labor, they will give character to the work
of present truth in the new fields.
Besides the education of those who are to be sent out from our
older conferences as missionaries, persons in various parts of the world
should be trained to work for their own countrymen and their own
neighbors; and as far as possible it is better and safer for them to
325
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 173, 174
326
Testimonies for the Church 6:127