Academy and College Training
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benefits of parental influence. Wherever possible, let the family be
held together
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All Children to Have Educational Privileges—The church is
asleep and does not realize the magnitude of this matter of educating
the children and youth. “Why,” says one, “what is the need of being
so particular to educate our youth thoroughly? It seems to me that if
you take a few who have decided to follow a literary calling or some
other calling that requires a certain discipline, and give due attention
to them, that is all that is necessary. It is not required that the whole
mass of our youth be so well trained. Will not this answer every
essential requirement?” I answer, No, most decidedly not.... All our
youth should be permitted to have the blessings and privileges of an
education at our schools, that they may be inspired to become laborers
together with God. They all need an education, that they may be fitted
for usefulness, qualified for places of responsibility in both private and
public life
A Balanced School Program—The faculties of the mind need
cultivation, that they may be exercised to the glory of God. Careful
attention should be given to the culture of the intellect, that the various
organs of the mind may have equal strength, by being brought into
exercise, each in its distinctive office. If parents allow their children to
follow the bent of their own minds, their own inclination and pleasure,
to the neglect of duty, their characters will be formed after this pattern,
and they will not be competent for any responsible position in life.
The desires and inclinations of the young should be restrained, their
weak points of character strengthened, and their overstrong tendencies
repressed.
If one faculty is suffered to remain dormant, or is turned out of its
proper course, the purpose of God is not carried out. All the faculties
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should be well developed. Care should be given to each, for each has
a bearing upon the others, and all must be exercised in order that the
mind may be properly balanced. If one or two organs are cultivated
and kept in continual use because it is the choice of your children to
put the strength of the mind in one direction to the neglect of other
mental powers, they will come to maturity with unbalanced minds and
7
Letter 60, 1910
.
8
The Review and Herald, February 13, 1913
.