Work and Education
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are doing the work which belongs to women. This is nearly all that
can be found for them to do as they are now situated; but from the light
given me, this is not the kind of education that the young men need.
It does not give them the knowledge they need to take with them to
their homes. There should be a different kind of labor opened before
them, that would give opportunity to keep the physical powers taxed
equally with the mental. There should be land for cultivation. The
time is not far distant when the laws against Sunday labor will be more
stringent, and an effort should be made to secure grounds away from
the cities, where fruits and vegetables can be raised. Agriculture will
open resources for self-support, and various other trades also could
be learned. This real, earnest work calls for strength of intellect as
well as of muscle. Method and tact are required even to raise fruits
and vegetables successfully. And habits of industry will be found an
important aid to the youth in resisting temptation.
Here is opened a field to give vent to their pent-up energies, that,
if not expended in useful employment, will be a continual source of
trial to themselves and to their teachers. Many kinds of labor adapted
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to different persons may be devised. But the working of the land will
be a special blessing to the worker. There is a great want of intelligent
men to till the soil, who will be thorough. This knowledge will not be
a hindrance to the education essential for business or for usefulness
in any line. To develop the capacity of the soil requires thought and
intelligence. Not only will it develop muscle, but capability for study,
because the action of brain and muscle is equalized. We should so
train the youth that they will love to work upon the land, and delight in
improving it. The hope of advancing the cause of God in this country
is in creating a new moral taste in love of work, which will transform
mind and character.
False witness has been borne in condemning land which, if prop-
erly worked, would yield rich returns. The narrow plans, the little
strength put forth, the little study as to the best methods, call loudly
for reform. The people need to learn that patient labor will do won-
ders. There is much mourning over unproductive soil, when if men
would read the Old Testament Scriptures they would see that the Lord
knew much better than they in regard to the proper treatment of land.
After being cultivated for several years, and giving her treasure to the
possession of man, portions of the land should be allowed to rest, and