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Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students
course you will be able to do right as easily as before you yielded
yourselves to do wrong. But this is a mistake. By the choice of evil
companions many have been led step by step from the path of virtue
into depths of disobedience and dissipation to which at one time
they would have thought it impossible for them to sink.
The student who yields to temptation weakens his influence for
good, and he who by a wrong course of action becomes the agent
of the adversary of souls must render to God an account for the part
he has acted in laying stumbling blocks in the way of others. Why
should students link themselves with the great apostate? Why should
they become his agents to tempt others? Rather, why should they not
study to help and encourage their fellow students and their teachers?
It is their privilege to help their teachers bear the burdens and meet
the perplexities that Satan would make discouragingly heavy and
trying. They may create an atmosphere that will be helpful, exhila-
rating. Every student may enjoy the consciousness that he has stood
on Christ’s side, showing respect for order, diligence, and obedience,
and refusing to lend one jot of his ability or influence to the great
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enemy of all that is good and uplifting.
The student who has a conscientious regard for truth and a true
conception of duty can do much to influence his fellow students
for Christ. The youth who are yoked up with the Saviour will not
be unruly; they will not study their own selfish pleasure and grat-
ification. Because they are one with Christ in spirit, they will be
one with Christ in action. The older students in our schools should
remember that it is in their power to mold the habits and practices of
the younger students; and they should seek to make the best of every
opportunity. Let these students determine that they will not through
their influence betray their companions into the hands of the enemy.
Jesus will be the helper of all who put their trust in Him. Those
who are connected with Christ have happiness at their command.
They follow the path where their Saviour leads, for His sake cruci-
fying the flesh, with its affections and lusts. They have built their
hopes on Christ, and the storms of earth are powerless to sweep
them from the sure foundation.
It rests with you, young men and women, to decide whether
you will become trustworthy and faithful, ready and resolute to take
your stand for the right under all circumstances. Do you desire