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Fundamentals of Christian Education
now exalted as truth, and it is our duty earnestly to search the sacred
word, that we may know what is truth, and be able intelligently to
present it to others. We shall be called upon to make known the reasons
of our faith. We shall have to stand before magistrates to answer for
our allegiance to the law of God. The Lord has called us out from the
world that we may be witnesses for His truth; and all through our ranks,
young men and women should be trained for positions of usefulness
and influence. They are privileged to become missionaries for God;
but they cannot be mere novices in education and in the knowledge of
the word of God, and do justice to the sacred work to which they are
appointed. In every land the want of education among our workers is
painfully apparent. We realize that education is not only necessary to
the proper fulfillment of the duties of domestic life, but necessary for
success in all branches of usefulness.
In view of the need of education for the work of God, and for
the successful fulfillment of the various responsibilities of life, how
thankful should we be that a school is about to be opened in Melbourne
under the direction of earnest believers in the truth for this time. For
the success of this new enterprise, for the benefit it will bring to you
and your children, let all our brethren and sisters now take hold heartily
to cooperate with those who have come to bear the burden of the work.
Teachers have come to you from America in the fear and love of God,
not without sacrifice, to aid you in your efforts to lift up the standard of
truth among the people. They desire to educate the youth to understand
the word of God, that your children may be able to open the Scriptures
to others. It now remains for those who have already been enlightened
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by the truth in these colonies, to co-operate with the efforts of their
American brethren, knowing that in Christ all race prejudices, all
national distinctions, are laid aside, and we are all brethren, engaged
in the work of advancing the Redeemer’s kingdom. We are all one
in Christ, and should unite heartily in an effort to educate and train
an army of young men and women in such a way that they will be
consistent, well-balanced Christians, able to understand and explain
the Scriptures. The purity, faith, zeal, and consistency of character
in those who go forth to work for the Lord, should be so evident that
others may see their good works, and be led to glorify our Father who
is in heaven. If our profession of faith is sustained by heartfelt piety,
it will be a means of good; for thereby souls will be influenced to