Chapter 21—Books in Our Schools
In the work of educating the youth in our schools, it will be a
difficult matter to retain the influence of God’s Holy Spirit and at the
same time hold fast to erroneous principles. The light shining upon
those who have eyes to see, cannot be mingled with the darkness of
heresy and error found in many of the textbooks recommended to the
students in our colleges. Both teachers and pupils have thought that in
order to obtain an education, it was necessary to study the productions
of writers who teach infidelity, because their works contain some
bright gems of thought. But who was the originator of these gems of
thought?—It was God and God alone; for He is the source of all light.
Are not all things essential for the health and growth of the spiritual
and moral nature found in the pages of Holy Writ? Is not Christ our
living head? And are not we to grow up in Him to the full stature of
men and women? Can an impure fountain send forth sweet waters?
Why should we wade through the mass of error contained in the works
of pagans and infidels, for the sake of obtaining the benefit of a few
intellectual truths, when all truth is at our command?
Man can accomplish nothing good without God. He is the origi-
nator of every ray of light that has pierced the darkness of the world.
All that is of value comes from God, and belongs to Him. There is
a reason that the agents of the enemy sometimes display remarkable
wisdom. Satan himself was educated and disciplined in the heavenly
courts, and he has a knowledge of good as well as of evil. He mingles
the precious with the vile, and this is what gives him his power of
deceiving the sons of men. But because Satan has stolen the livery
of heaven in order that he may exercise an influence in his usurped
dominions, shall those who have been sitting in darkness and have
seen a great light, turn from the light to recommend darkness? Shall
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those who have known the oracles of God recommend our students to
study the books that express pagan or infidel sentiments, that they may
become intelligent? Satan has his agents, educated after his methods,
inspired by his spirit, and adapted to his works; but shall we co-operate
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