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Failure to Recognize God’s Messenger
297
little honor has been given to the living God, and so much honor to
that which is supposed to be superior talent, but with which the Holy
Spirit has no connection. The Spirit of God is not acknowledged and
respected; men have passed judgment upon it; its operations have
been condemned as fanaticism, enthusiasm, undue excitement.
God sees that which the blind eyes of the educators do not
discern—that immorality of every kind and degree is striving for
the mastery, working against the manifestations of the power of the
Holy Spirit. The commonest of conversation, and low, perverted
ideas are woven into the texture of character and defile the soul.
The low, common pleasure parties, gatherings for eating and
drinking, singing and playing on instruments of music, are inspired
by a spirit that is from beneath. They are an oblation unto Satan. The
exhibitions in the bicycle craze are an offense to God. His wrath is
kindled against those who do such things. For in these gratifications
the mind becomes besotted, even as in liquor drinking. The door
is opened to vulgar associations. The thoughts, allowed to run in a
low channel, soon pervert all the powers of the being. Like Israel
of old, the pleasure lovers eat and drink, and rise up to play. There
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is mirth and carousing, hilarity and glee. In all this the youth are
following the example of the ungodly authors of some of the books
that are placed in their hands for study. All these things are having
their effect upon the character.
Those who take the lead in these frivolities bring upon the cause
a stain not easily effaced. They wound their own souls, and will
carry the scars through their lifetime. The evildoer may see his sins
and repent, and God may pardon the transgressor; but the power
of discernment which ought ever to be kept keen and sensitive to
distinguish between the sacred and the common, is in a great measure
destroyed....
I urge upon all to whom these words may come: Review your
own course of action, and “take heed to yourselves, lest at any time
your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and
cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For
as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the
whole earth.”
Luke 21:34, 35
.—
Special Testimonies On Education,
202-212
; written to the teachers in Battle Creek College.