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Christian Education
worst evil which can come upon them. Firmness, decision, positive
requirements, are essential in every family. Parents, take up your
neglected responsibilities; educate your children after God’s plan,
showing “forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness
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into his marvelous light.” [
1 Peter 2:9
.]—“Testimony,” No. 31.
Ministers should stand erect, and speak slowly, firmly, and dis-
tinctly, taking a full inspiration of air at every sentence, and throwing
out the words by exercising the abdominal muscles. If they will ob-
serve this simple rule, giving attention to the laws of health in other
respects, they may preserve their life and usefulness much longer than
men in any other profession. Ministers and teachers should discipline
themselves to clear and distinct articulation, giving the full sound to
every word. Those who talk rapidly, from the throat, jumbling the
words together, and raising their voices to an unnaturally high pitch,
soon become hoarse, and the words spoken lose half the force which
they would have if spoken slowly, distinctly, and not so loud. The
sympathies of the hearers are awakened for the speaker; for they know
that he is doing violence to himself, and they fear that he will break
down at any moment. It is no evidence that a man has zeal for God be-
cause he works himself up into a frenzy excitement and gesticulation.
“Bodily exercise,” says the apostle, “profiteth little.” [
1 Timothy 4:8
.]
The Saviour of the world would have his co-laborers represent him;
and the more closely a man walks with God, the more faultless will be
his manner of address, his deportment, his attitude, and his gestures.
Coarse and uncouth manners were never seen in our Pattern, Christ
Jesus. He was a representative of Heaven, and his followers must be
like him.
Some reason that the Lord will, by his Spirit, qualify a man to
speak as he would have him; but the Lord does not propose to do the
work which he has given man to do. He has given us reasoning powers
and opportunities to educate the mind and manners. And after we have
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done all we can for ourselves, making the best use of the advantages
within our reach, then we may look to God with earnest prayer to do
by his Spirit that which we cannot do for ourselves, and we shall ever
find in our Saviour power and efficiency.—“Testimony,” No. 29.
God is displeased with those who are too careless or indolent to
become efficient, well-informed workers. The Christian should pos-
sess more intelligence and keener discernment than the worldling. The