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Knowledge that Endures
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worthless, but an injury to the physical and mental health. The
student obtains a slender store of information upon many subjects
that are of little value to him, a limited knowledge along many lines
that he will never use, when he might obtain knowledge that would
be of the highest service in practical life, and which would be a
storehouse of wisdom from which to draw in time of need.
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It is difficult to depart from old customs and established ideas.
But few realize the loss that is sustained by many in long courses
of study. Much that is crowded into the brain is of no value, yet
students suppose this education to be all-sufficient, and after years of
study they leave school with their diplomas, believing that they are
men and women properly educated and ready for service. In many
cases this preparation for service is nothing more than a farce, yet it
will continue until teachers receive the wisdom of heaven through
the influence of the Holy Spirit.
Many a student has so long taxed the mind to learn that which his
reason tells him will never be of any use, that his mental powers have
become weakened and incapable of vigorous exertion and persever-
ing effort to comprehend those things which are of vital importance.
The money expended in his education, which perhaps was provided
as the result of great sacrifice on the part of his parents, is well-nigh
wasted; and a misapprehension as to what is of importance leads to
a mistake in his lifework.
What a fraud is that education obtained in literary or scientific
lines, if it must be stripped from the learner before he is counted
worthy to enter upon that life which measures with the life of God,
himself saved as by fire. God has given us a probation in which
to prepare for the school above. For this the youth are here to be
educated, disciplined, and trained. In the lower school of earth they
are to form characters that God can approve. They are to receive
a training, not in the customs and amusements of worldly society,
but in Christ’s lines, a training that will fit them to be colaborers
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with heavenly intelligences. The studies given the youth should be
of a character to make them more successful in the service of God,
to enable them to follow in the footsteps of Christ and to maintain
the great principles that He maintained. Our standard is to be the
character of Him who is pure, holy, undefiled....