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Fundamentals of Christian Education
particular course of studies involving long periods of time, but should
be guided in such matters by the Spirit of God.
A course of study at Ann Arbor may be thought essential for some;
but evil influences are there ever at work upon susceptible minds, so
that the farther they advance in their studies, the less they deem it
necessary to seek a knowledge of the will and ways of God. None
should be allowed to pursue a course of study that may in any way
weaken their faith in the truth and in the Lord’s power, or diminish their
respect for a life of holiness. I would warn the students not to advance
one step in these lines,—not even upon the advice of their instructors
or men in positions of authority,—unless they have first sought God
individually, with their hearts thrown open to the influence of the Holy
Spirit, and obtained His counsel concerning the contemplated course
of study. Let every selfish desire to distinguish yourselves be set aside;
take every suggestion from humanity, to God, trusting in the guidance
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of the Holy Spirit; every unholy ambition should be blotted out, lest
the Lord shall say: “I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly
I cursed his habitation.” Every one should move so that he can say:
“Thou, O Lord, knowest me: Thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart
toward Thee.” “Thou God seest me.” The Lord weighs every motive.
He is a discerner of the thoughts and intents and purposes of the heart.
Without God we are without hope; therefore let us fix our faith upon
Him. “Thou art my hope, O Lord God: Thou art my trust from my
youth.”
Every ship sailing the sea of life needs to have the divine Pilot on
board; but when storms arise, when tempests threaten, many persons
push their Pilot overboard, and commit their bark into the hand of
finite man, or try to steer it themselves. Then disaster and wreckage
generally follow, and the Pilot is blamed for running them into such
dangerous waters. Do not commit yourselves into the keeping of men,
but say, “The Lord is my helper”; I will seek His counsel; I will be
a doer of His will. All the advantages you may have cannot be a
blessing to you, neither can the highest class education qualify you
to become a channel of light, unless you have the co-operation of the
divine Spirit. It is as impossible for us to receive qualification from
man, without the divine enlightenment, as it was for the gods of Egypt
to deliver those who trusted in them. Students must not suppose that
every suggestion for them to prolong their studies is in harmony with