18
Christian Education
at this late period. Much can now be gained in connecting labor with
schools. The students will acquire, in following this plan, elasticity of
spirit and vigor of thought, and can accomplish more mental labor, in
a given time, than they could by study alone. And they can leave their
schools with their constitutions unimpaired, with strength and courage
to persevere in any position in which the providence of God may place
them.
There are many young men whose services God would accept if
they would consecrate themselves to him unreservedly. If they would
exercise the powers of their mind in the service of God, which they
use in serving themselves, and in acquiring property, they would make
earnest, persevering, successful laborers in the vineyard of the Lord.
Many of our young men should turn their attention to the study of the
Scriptures, that God may use them in his cause. But they do not become
intelligent in spiritual knowledge as in temporal things, therefore they
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fail to do the work of God which they could do with acceptance. There
are but few to warn sinners and win souls to Christ, when there should
be many. Our young men generally are wise in worldly matters, but
not intelligent in regard to the things of the kingdom of God. They
might turn their minds in the heavenly and divine channel, walking in
the light, and going on from one degree of light and strength to another,
until they could turn sinners to Christ, and point the unbelieving and
desponding to a bright track heavenward. And when the warfare is
ended, they might be welcomed to the joy of the Lord.
Young men should not enter upon the work of explaining the Scrip-
tures and lecturing upon the prophecies, when they do not have a
knowledge of the important Bible truths they try to explain to others.
They may be deficient in the common branches of education, and
fail to do the amount of good they otherwise could do, if they had
had the advantages of a good school. Ignorance will not increase the
humility or spirituality of any professed follower of Christ. The truths
of the divine word can be best appreciated by an intellectual Christian.
Christ can be better glorified by those who serve him intelligently. The
great object of education is to enable us to bring into use the powers
which God has given us, in such a manner as will best represent the
religion of the Bible and promote the glory of God. For all the talents
which God has intrusted to us, we are indebted to him who gave us
existence.—“Testimony,” No. 22, first published in 1873.
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