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Christian Education
but while there are constant battles to fight, there are also precious
victories to gain, and the triumph over self and sin is of more value
than the mind can estimate. The effort put forth to overcome, though
requiring self-denial, is of little account beside the victory over evil.
The life-work given to us is that of preparation for the life eternal,
and if we accomplish this work as God has designed that we should,
every temptation may work for our advance; for as we resist its allure-
ment, we make progress in the divine life. In the heat of the conflict,
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while engaged in earnest spiritual warfare, unseen agencies are by our
side, commissioned of heaven to aid us in our wrestlings, and in the
crisis, strength and firmness and energy are imparted to us, and we
have more than mortal power. But unless the human agent shall bring
his will into harmony with the will of God, unless he shall forsake
every idol, and overcome every wrong practice, he will never succeed
in the warfare; but will be finally overcome. Those who would be
conquerors must engage in conflict with unseen agencies; inward cor-
ruption must be overcome, and every thought must be brought into
harmony with, and subjection to, Christ. The Holy Spirit is ever at
work seeking to purify, refine, and discipline the souls of men in order
that they may become fitted for the society of saints and angels, and
as overcomers be able to sing the song of redemption, ascribing glory
and honor to God and to the Lamb in the courts above.
As children of God, we should make earnest efforts to be over-
comers, and as students seeking to honor and glorify God, we should
study to show ourselves approved unto God, workmen that need not
to be ashamed. The workman for God should make earnest efforts to
become a representative of Christ, discarding all uncomely gestures,
and uncouth speech. O that the youth who are now forming their habits
would seek to attain perfection! They should seek to use correct lan-
guage, and though there are a large class who are careless in the way
they speak, yet by careful, painstaking attention, they may become rep-
resentatives of the truth. Every day they should make advancement and
not detract from their usefulness and influence by cherishing defects
of manner, tone, or language. Through close watchfulness, and earnest
discipline, the Christian youth may keep his tongue from evil and his
lips that they speak no guile. Common, cheap expressions should be
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replaced by sound and pure words, and we should be careful not to
give an incorrect pronunciation of our words. There are men among