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must be brought into their daily experience, if they would be fitted for
any place of usefulness in the cause of God.—
Gospel Workers, 291.
Hundreds of young men should have been preparing to act a part
in the work of scattering the seeds of truth beside all waters. We
want men who will push the triumphs of the cross; men who will
persevere under discouragements and privations; who will have the
zeal and resolution and faith that are indispensable in the missionary
field.—
Gospel Workers, 293
.
The great reason why so few of the world’s great men, and those
having a college education, are led to obey the commandments of God,
is because they have separated education from religion, thinking that
each should occupy a field by itself....
There are many of our youth whom God has endowed with superior
capabilities. He has given them the very best of talents; but their
powers have been enervated, their minds confused and enfeebled; and
for years they have made no growth in grace and in a knowledge
of the reasons of our faith, because they have gratified a taste for
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story reading. They have as much difficulty to control the appetite
for such superficial reading as the drunkard has to control his appetite
for intoxicating drink. These might today be connected with our
publishing houses, and be efficient workers, to keep books, prepare
copy for the press, or to read proof; but their talents have been perverted
until they are mental dyspeptics, and consequently are unfitted for a
responsible position anywhere. The imagination is diseased. They live
an unreal life. They are unfitted for the practical duties of life; and that
which is the most sad and discouraging is, they have lost all relish for
solid reading....
The special effort of ministers, and of workers all through our
ranks, for this time, should be to turn away the attention of the youth
from all exciting stories, to the sure word of prophecy. The attention
of every soul striving for eternal life should center upon the Bible....
It is with feelings of inexpressible sadness, and sometimes almost
with despair, that I contemplate the condition of the young, and see
how difficult it is to encourage those to obtain an education to whom
I know God has liberally entrusted capabilities. Without education,
they will be crippled and inefficient in any position. Yet in gaining this
education they will be exposed to dangers and temptations. Satan will
try to employ their cultivated abilities in his service....