Formality, Not Organization, an Evil
211
There is more need now than ever before that our young men and
women shall be intellectually qualified for the work. Our Sabbath
schools not only need intellectual, but spiritual workers, and the mind
receives its tone and efficiency by thorough discipline. By superficial
study, the mind gradually loses its tone, and degenerates into imbe-
[258]
cility, and is not capable of any taxing effort. But education prepares
men to know and to do the very line of work that must at this time be
done. Thorough discipline, under a wise teacher, is of more value than
the natural aptitude and endowment, where there is no discipline.
The Lord has made manifest His appreciation of man, in that He
gave His only-begotten Son to redeem him. Satan has also manifested
his appreciation of well trained and sanctified ability, by the ingenious
methods by which he seeks to divert the mind and heart of such an
one from the service of God, that he may lead him to join in the ranks
of apostasy. Like an angel of light, he comes with his insinuations
to draw men into his service; for he knows that an educated man or
woman, when not under the control of the Spirit of God, can be of
great advantage to him. He will pursue the student with specious
temptations, seeking to induce him to take pride in his attainments,
and to imagine that he is some great one, that he may trust in himself,
and walk in the sparks of his own kindling. Thus he is led to separate
his soul from God, the source of all light and knowledge, and, in order
that he may exalt himself, unite with Satan, the originator of all sin.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom; and when
God is not depended upon, the result of education is only to elevate
ungodliness. The reason that the church is weak and inefficient is that
there is a want of the grace of Christ among those who profess the
truth for these last days. If the Lord has ever spoken by me, there is sin
of almost every character cherished by many who claim to be children
of God; and unless they separate themselves from Satan and cling
to Jesus our righteousness, the woe of God will be upon those who
have had great light, and yet have chosen to walk in darkness. “Then
began He to upbraid the cities wherein most of His mighty works were
done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin; woe unto
thee, Bethsaida; for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had
[259]
been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in
sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable
for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou,