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284
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students
school, those in charge of it should have perfected everything after
God’s plan, discarding all that was not in harmony with His will.
Had their eyes been anointed with the heavenly eyesalve, they would
have realized that they could not permit the exhibition that took place
that afternoon, without dishonoring God.
On Wednesday morning when I spoke to the students and to
the others who had assembled, the words that the Lord gave me to
speak, I did not know anything of what was to take place afterward;
for no intimation of it had come to me. How could those at the head
of the school harmonize with the words spoken the proceedings
that followed, which were of a character to make of no effect the
instruction that had just come to them from God? If their perceptions
had not been greatly beclouded, they would have understood this
instruction as rebuking all such proceedings.
I felt deeply the importance of the words that the Lord gave me
at this time for teachers and students. This instruction presented
before the students duties of the highest order; and to efface by the
amusements afterward entered into, the good impressions made, was
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virtually saying, “We want not Thy way, O God; we want our own
way; we want to follow our own wisdom.”
In the night season I was a witness to the performance that was
carried on on the school grounds. The students who engaged in the
grotesque mimicry that was seen, acted out the mind of the enemy,
some in a very unbecoming manner. A view of things was presented
before me in which the students were playing games of tennis and
cricket. Then I was given instruction regarding the character of these
amusements. They were presented to me as a species of idolatry,
like the idols of the nations.
There were more than visible spectators on the ground. Satan and
his angels were there, making impressions on human minds. Angels
of God, who minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation, were
also present, not to approve, but to disapprove. They were ashamed
that such an exhibition should be given by the professed children of
God. The forces of the enemy gained a decided victory, and God was
dishonored. He who gave His life to refine, ennoble, and sanctify
human beings was grieved at the performance.
Hearing a voice, I turned to see who spoke to me. Then with
dignity and solemnity One said, “Is this the celebration for the an-