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384
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students
worldly customs and practices, and pure and undefiled religion is
rare. But it is the privilege of every student to enter college with the
same fixed, determined principle that Daniel had when he entered
the court of Babylon, and throughout his course to keep his integrity
untarnished. The strength and grace of God have been provided
at an infinite sacrifice, that men might be victorious over Satan’s
suggestions and temptations, and come forth unsullied. The life,
the words, and the deportment are the most forcible argument, the
most solemn appeal, to the careless, irreverent, and skeptical. Let
the life and character be the strong argument for Christianity; then
men will be compelled to take knowledge of you that you have been
with Jesus and have learned of Him.
Let not medical students be deceived by the wiles of the devil
or by any of his cunning pretexts which so many adopt to beguile
and ensnare. Stand firm to principle. At every step inquire, “What
saith the Lord?” Say firmly, “I will follow the light. I will respect
and honor the Majesty of truth.”
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Especially should those who are studying medicine in the schools
of the world guard against contamination from the evil influences
with which they are constantly surrounded. When their instructors
are worldly-wise men, and their fellow students infidels who have no
serious thought of God, even Christians of experience are in danger
of being influenced by these irreligious associations. Nevertheless,
some have gone through the medical course and have remained true
to principle. They would not continue their studies on the Sabbath,
and they have proved that men may become qualified for the duties
of a physician and not disappoint the expectations of those who have
encouraged them to obtain an education.
It is because of these peculiar temptations which our youth must
meet in worldly medical schools that provision should be made for
preparatory and advanced medical training in our own schools, under
Christian teachers. Our larger union conference training schools
in various parts of the field should be placed in the most favorable
position for qualifying our youth to meet the entrance requirements
specified by state laws regarding medical students. The very best
teaching talent should be secured, that our schools may be brought
up to the proper standard. The youth, and those more advanced in
years, who feel it their duty to fit themselves for work requiring the