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Christian Education
all spread the tender blue of the overarching heavens; and beyond was
God. He could not see him, but his works were full of his praise. The
light of day, gilding forest and mountain, meadow and stream, carried
the mind up to behold the Father of lights, the Author of every good
and perfect gift. Daily revelations of the character and majesty of his
Creator, filled the young poet’s heart with adoration and rejoicing. In
contemplation of God and his works, the faculties of David’s mind and
heart were developing and strengthening for the work of his after life.
He was daily coming into a more intimate communion with God. His
mind was constantly penetrating into new depths, for fresh themes to
inspire his song, and to wake the music of his harp. The rich melody of
his voice poured out upon the air, echoed from the hills as if responsive
to the rejoicing of the angels’ songs in heaven.
Who can measure the results of those years of toil and wandering
among the lonely hills? The communion with nature and with God,
the care of his flocks, the perils and deliverances, the griefs and joys
of his lowly lot, were not only to mould the character of David, and
to influence his future life, but through the psalms of Israel’s sweet
singer, they were, in all coming ages, to kindle love and faith in the
hearts of God’s people, bringing them nearer to the ever-loving heart
of Him in whom all his creatures live.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 641,
642.
[206]
Young Men as Missionaries.—It may in some cases be necessary
that young men learn foreign languages. This they can do with most
success by associating with the people, at the same time devoting a
portion of each day to studying the language. This should be done,
however, only as a necessary step preparatory to educating such as
are found in the missionary fields themselves, and who with proper
training can become workers. It is essential that those be urged into
service who can speak in their mother tongue to the people of different
nations. It is a great undertaking for a man of middle age to learn a
foreign language; and with all his efforts it will be next to impossible
for him to speak it so readily and correctly as to render him an efficient
laborer.—
Gospel Workers, 294.
But the church may inquire whether young men can be trusted with
the grave responsibilities involved in establishing and superintending a
foreign mission. I answer, God designed that they should be so trained
in our colleges and by association in labor with men of experience, that