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Fundamentals of Christian Education
practices of the world. They are to be a peculiar and holy people. It
is not their dress that makes them peculiar, but because they are a
peculiar and holy people, they cannot carry the marks of likeness to
the world.
As a people we are to prepare the way of the Lord. Every iota of
ability God has given us must be put to use in preparing the people
after God’s fashion, after His spiritual mold, to stand in this great day
of God’s preparation; and the serious question may be awakened in
world-loving hearts, “What is eternity to us? How will my case stand
in the investigative judgment? What will be my lot and place?” Many
who suppose they are going to heaven are blindfolded by the world.
Their ideas of what constitutes a religious education and religious
discipline are vague, resting only on probabilities; there are many who
have no intelligent hope, and are running great risk in practicing the
very things which Jesus has taught that they should not do, in eating,
drinking, and dressing, binding themselves up with the world in a
variety of ways. They have yet to learn the serious lessons so essential
to growth in spirituality, to come out from the world and be separate.
The heart is divided, the carnal mind craves conformity, similarity
to the world in so many ways that the mark of distinction from the
world is scarcely distinguishable. Money, God’s money, is expended
in order to make an appearance after the world’s customs; the religious
experience is contaminated with worldliness, and the evidence of
discipleship—Christ’s likeness in self-denial and cross-bearing—is
not discernible by the world or by the universe of heaven.
In this country, Satan has in a most striking manner enthroned
himself to control the leading men in the government of the nation.
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The education which they have received from childhood is erroneous.
Many things are regarded as essential which have a most injurious
effect upon the people. The many holidays have had a baleful influence
upon the minds of the youth; their effect is demoralizing to the gov-
ernment, and they are entirely contrary to the will of God. They have a
tendency to encourage an artificial excitement, a desire for amusement.
The people are led to squander precious time which should be em-
ployed in useful labor to sustain their families honestly and keep clear
of debt. The passion for amusements and the squandering of money
in horse racing, in betting, and various similar lines, is increasing the