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Fundamentals of Christian Education
I am bidden to say to you that you know not how soon the crisis
may come. It is stealing gradually upon us, as a thief. The sun shines in
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the heavens, passing over its usual round, and the heavens still declare
the glory of God; men are still pursuing their usual course of eating
and drinking, planting and building, marrying and giving in marriage;
merchants are still engaged in buying and selling; publications are still
issuing one upon another: men are jostling one against another, seeking
to get the highest place; pleasure-lovers are still attending theaters,
horse races, gambling hells, and the highest excitement prevails; yet
probation’s hour is fast closing, and every case is about to be eternally
decided. There are few who believe with heart and soul that we have
a heaven to win and a hell to shun; but these few show their faith by
their works. The signs of Christ’s coming are fast fulfilling. Satan sees
that he has but a short time in which to work, and he has set his satanic
agencies at work to stir the elements of the world, in order that men
may be deceived, deluded, and kept occupied and entranced until the
day of probation shall be ended, and the door be forever shut.
The kingdoms of this world have not yet become the kingdoms
of our Lord and of His Christ. Do not deceive yourselves; be wide
awake, and move rapidly, for the night cometh, in which no man can
work. Do not encourage students, who come to you burdened for the
work of saving their fellow men, to enter upon course after course
of study. Do not lengthen out the time for obtaining an education to
many years. By this course they suppose that there is time enough, and
this very plan proves a snare to their souls. Many are better prepared,
have more spiritual discrimination and knowledge of God, and know
more of His requirements, when they enter upon a course of study
than when they graduate. They become inspired with an ambition
to become learned men, and are encouraged to add to their studies
until they become infatuated. They make their books their idol, and
are willing to sacrifice health and spirituality in order to obtain an
education. They limit the time which they should devote to prayer,
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and fail to improve the opportunities which they have had to do good,
and do not communicate light and knowledge. They fail to put to use
the knowledge which they have already obtained, and do not advance
in the science of winning souls. Missionary work becomes less and
less desirable, while the passion to excel in book-knowledge increases
abnormally. In pursuing their studies, they separate from the God of