Chapter 13—Books in Our Schools
In the work of educating the youth in our schools, it will be a
difficult matter to retain the influence of God’s Holy Spirit, and at the
same time hold fast to erroneous principles. The light shining upon
those who have eyes to see, cannot be mingled with the darkness of
heresy and error found in many of the text-books recommended to the
students in our colleges. Both teachers and pupils have thought that in
order to obtain an education, it was necessary to study the productions
of writers who teach infidelity, because their works contain some
bright gems of thought. But who was the originator of these gems of
thought?—It was God and God alone; for he is the source of all light.
Are not all things essential for the health and growth of the spiritual
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and moral nature found in the pages of Holy Writ? Is not Christ our
living head? And are not we to grow up in him to the full stature of
men and women? Can an impure fountain send forth sweet waters?
Why should we wade through the mass of error contained in the works
of pagans and infidels, for the sake of obtaining the benefit of a few
intellectual truths, when all truth is at our command?
Man can accomplish nothing good without God. He is the origina-
tor of every ray of light that has pierced the darkness of the world. All
that is of value comes from God, and belongs to him. There is a reason
that the agents of the enemy sometimes display remarkable wisdom.
Satan himself was educated and disciplined in the heavenly courts, and
he has a knowledge of good as well as of evil. He mingles the precious
with the vile, and this is what gives him his power of deceiving the
sons of men. But because Satan has stolen the livery of heaven in order
that he may exercise an influence in his usurped dominions, shall those
who have been sitting in darkness and have seen a great light, turn
from the light to recommend darkness? Shall those who have known
the oracles of God recommend our students to study the books that
express pagan or infidel sentiments, that they may become intelligent?
Satan has his agents, educated after his methods, inspired by his spirit,
and adapted to his works; but shall we co-operate with them? Shall we,
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