To Teachers and Students
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up on these subjects, and let the students obtain a proper education in
the preparation of wholesome, appetizing, solid foods that nourish the
system. They do not have now, and have not had in the past, the right
kind of training and education as to the most healthful food to make
healthful sinews and muscle, and give nourishment to the brain and
nerve powers.
The intellect is to be kept thoroughly awake with new, earnest,
whole-hearted work. How is it to be done? The power of the Holy
Spirit must purify the thoughts and cleanse the soul of its moral defile-
ment. Defiling habits not only abase the soul, but debase the intellect.
Memory suffers, laid on the altar of base, hurtful practices. “He that
soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth
to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” When teachers and
learners shall consecrate soul, body, and spirit of God, and purify their
thoughts by obedience to the laws of God, they will continually receive
a new endowment of physical and mental power. Then will there be
heart-yearnings after God, and earnest prayer for clear perception to
discern. The office and work of the Holy Spirit is not for them to
use it, as many suppose, but for the Holy Spirit to use them, molding,
fashioning, and sanctifying every power. The giving of the faculties
to lustful practices disorders the brain and nerve power, and though
professing religion, they are not now and never will be agents whom
God can use; for He despises the practices of impurity, which destroy
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the vital nerve energies. This sin of impurity is lessening physical
vigor and mental capabilities, so that everything like mental taxation
will after a short time become irksome. Memory is fitful; and, O what
a loathsome offering is thus presented to God!
Then when I look upon the scenes presented before me; when
I consider the schools established in different places, and see them
falling so far below anything like the schools of the prophets, I am
distressed beyond measure. The physical exercise was marked out
by the God of wisdom. Some hours each day should be devoted to
useful education in lines of work that will help the students in learning
the duties of practical life, which are essential for all our youth. But
this has been dropped out, and amusements introduced, which simply
give exercise, without being any special blessing in doing good and
righteous actions, which is the education and training essential.