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Christian Education
acquired without Bible religion is disrobed of its true brightness and
glory.—“Testimony,” No. 28.
There is no virtue in ignorance, and knowledge will not necessarily
dwarf Christian growth; but if you seek for it from principle, having
the right object before you, and feeling your obligation to God to use
your faculties to do good to others and promote his glory, knowledge
will aid you to accomplish this end; it will help you to bring into
exercise the powers which God has given you, and to employ them in
his service. But, young men, if you gain ever so much knowledge, and
yet fail to put that knowledge to a practical use, you fail of your object.
If, in obtaining an education, you become so absorbed in your studies
that you neglect prayer and religious privileges, and become careless
and indifferent to the welfare of your souls, if you cease to learn in the
school of Christ, you are selling your birthright for a mess of pottage.
The object for which you are obtaining an education should not be
lost sight of for a moment. It should be so to develop and direct your
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faculties that you may be more useful, and bless others to the extent
of your ability. If by obtaining knowledge you increase your love of
yourselves, and your inclination to excuse yourselves from bearing
responsibilities, you are better without an education. If you love and
idolize books, and allow them to get between you and your duties, so
that you feel a reluctance to leave your studies and your reading to do
essential labor that some one must do, you should restrain your desire
to study, and cultivate a love for doing those things in which you now
take no interest. He that is faithful in that which is least will also be
faithful in greater things.—“Testimony,” No. 22.
A Closing Exhortation.—Shall the powers of mind and soul be
misapplied? Shall opportunities be lost? Shall a form and routine be
gone through day after day, with nothing gained? O, awake, awake,
teachers and pupils, before it is too late! Awake before you hear
from pale and agonized lips the terrible wail, “The harvest is past, the
summer is ended, and we are not saved!”
Are the gifts and talents of every educator improved for the very
best good of the pupils? Who is watching for a favorable moment
to speak words of kindness and love? Who loves to tell the story
of Him who so loved the world that he gave his life to redeem lost
and perishing sinners? Train the youth, mould the character, educate,
educate, educate, for the future, immortal life. Pray often. Plead