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Fundamentals of Christian Education
must be treated with respect and be observed. From the light that the
Lord has given me, these days have no more influence for good than
would the worship of heathen deities; for this is really nothing less.
These days are Satan’s special harvest seasons. The money drawn
from men and women is expended for that which is not bread. The
youth are educated to love those things which are demoralizing, things
which the word of God condemns. The influence is evil and only evil
continually.
Manual occupation for the youth is essential. The mind is not to be
constantly taxed to the neglect of the physical powers. The ignorance
of physiology, and a neglect to observe the laws of health, have brought
many to the grave who might have lived to labor and study intelligently.
The proper exercise of mind and body will develop and strengthen
all the powers. Both mind and body will be preserved, and will be
capable of doing a variety of work. Ministers and teachers need to
learn in regard to these things, and they need to practice as well. The
proper use of their physical strength, as well as of the mental powers,
will equalize the circulation of the blood, and keep every organ of the
living machinery in running order. Minds are often abused; they are
goaded on to madness by pursuing one line of thought; the excessive
employment of the brain power and the neglect of the physical organs
create a diseased condition of things in the system. Every faculty of
the mind may be exercised with comparative safety if the physical
powers are equally taxed, and the subject of thought varied. We need
a change of employment, and nature is a living, healthful teacher.
When students enter the school to obtain an education, the in-
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structors should endeavor to surround them with objects of the most
pleasing, interesting character, that the mind may not be confined to
the dead study of books. The school should not be in or near a city,
where its extravagance, its wicked pleasures, its wicked customs and
practices, will require constant work to counteract the prevailing in-
iquity, that it may not poison the very atmosphere which the students
breathe. All schools should be located, as far as possible, where the eye
will rest upon the things of nature instead of clusters of houses. The
ever-shifting scenery will gratify the taste, and control the imagination.
Here is a living teacher, instructing constantly.
I have been troubled over many things in regard to our school. In
their work the young men are associated with the young women, and