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Influence Of Association
181
structure more nearly approaches completion. The word of God
warns us to take heed how we build, to see that our building is
founded upon the eternal rock. The time is coming when our work
will stand revealed just as it is. Now is the time for all to cultivate
the powers that God has given them, that they may form characters
for usefulness here and for a higher life hereafter.
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Faith in Christ as a personal Saviour will give strength and so-
lidity to the character. Those who have genuine faith in Christ will
be sober-minded, remembering that God’s eye is upon them, that
the Judge of all men is weighing moral worth, that heavenly in-
telligences are watching to see what manner of character is being
developed.
The reason that so grave mistakes are made by the youth is that
they do not learn from the experience of those who have lived longer
than they have. Students cannot afford to pass off with jest or ridicule
the cautions and instruction of parents and teachers. They should
cherish every lesson, realizing at the same time their need of deeper
teaching than any human being can give. When Christ abides in the
heart by faith, His Spirit becomes a power to purify and vivify the
soul. Truth in the heart cannot fail of having a correcting influence
upon the life. Let both teachers and students hold the truth of God
as a treasure of the highest value, which must not be dimmed or
tarnished by practices that are out of harmony with its holy character.
Let those students who are away from their homes, no longer
under the direct influence of their parents, remember that the eye of
their heavenly Father is upon them. He loves the youth. He knows
their necessities, He understands their temptations. He sees in them
great possibilities, and is ready to help them to reach the highest
standard, if they will realize their need and seek Him for help.
Students, night and day the prayers of your parents are rising
to God in your behalf; day by day their loving interest follows you.
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Listen to their entreaties and warnings, and determine that by every
means in your power you will lift yourselves above the evil that
surrounds you. You cannot discern how insidiously the enemy will
work to corrupt your minds and habits, and develop in you unsound
principles.
You may see no real danger in taking the first step in frivolity
and pleasure seeking, and think that when you desire to change your