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Fundamentals of Christian Education
are to instruct them to work intelligently in Christ’s lines, to present a
noble, elevated Christian character to those with whom they associate.
For this reason our schools have been established, that youth and
children may be so educated as to exert an influence for God in the
world. Then shall our schools become converted to the world, and
follow its customs and fashions? “I beseech you therefore, brethren,
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by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be
not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God.”
When those who have reached the years of youth and manhood
see no difference between our schools and the colleges of the world,
and have no preference as to which they attend, though error is taught
by precept and example in the schools of the world, then there is need
of closely examining the reasons that lead to such a conclusion. Our
institutions of learning may swing into worldly conformity. Step by
step they may advance to the world; but they are prisoners of hope,
and God will correct and enlighten them, and bring them back to
their upright position of distinction from the world. I am watching
with intense interest, hoping to see our schools thoroughly imbued
with the spirit of true and undefiled religion. When the students are
thus imbued, they will see that there is a great work to be done in
the lines in which Christ worked, and the time they have given to
amusements will be given up to doing earnest missionary work. They
will endeavor to do good to all about them, to lift up souls that are
bowed down in discouragement, and to enlighten those who are in the
darkness of error. They will put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make
no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof.—
The Review and
Herald, January 9, 1894
.
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