Diligent and Thorough Education
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also through its transforming power upon heart and character, will
represent the character of God to our world in a well-ordered life and
a godly conversation. The entrance of the word giveth light. The mind
is expanded, elevated, purified. But many have pursued a course of
action inconsistent with the knowledge of truth and the wonderful light
through the descent of the Holy Spirit of God in so marked a manner
upon hearts in Battle Creek. Great sin and loss resulted from the
neglect to walk in the light from heaven. In plunging into amusements,
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match games, pugilistic performances, they declared to the world that
Christ was not their leader in any of these things. All this called forth
the warning from God. Now that which burdens me is the danger of
going into extremes on the other side; there is no necessity for this; if
the Bible is made the guide, the counselor, it is calculated to have an
influence on the mind and heart of the unconverted. Its study, more
than any other, will leave a divine impress. It will enlarge the mind
of the candid student, it will endow it with new impulses and fresh
vigor. It will give greater efficiency to the faculties by bringing them in
contact with grand and far-reaching truths. It is ever working, drawing;
it is an effective instrument in the converting of the soul. If the human
mind becomes dwarfed and feeble and inefficient, it is because it is
left to deal with commonplace subjects only.
God can and will do a great work for every human being who will
open the heart to the word of God, and let it enter the soul-temple and
expel every idol. Summoned to the effort, mind and heart take in the
wonderful disclosures of the revealed will of God. The soul that is
converted will be made stronger to resist evil. In the study of the Bible
the converted soul eats the flesh and drinks the blood of the Son of
God, which He himself interprets as the receiving and doing of His
words, that are spirit and life. The Word is made flesh, and dwells
among us, in those who receive the holy precepts of the word of God.
The Saviour of the world has left a holy, pure example for all men. It
illuminates, uplifts, and brings immortality to all who obey the divine
requirements. This is my reason for writing to you as I did. God forbid
that through lack of discernment errors should be committed through
misunderstanding of my words addressed to you. I have had no other
feeling than that of pleasure in knowing that students could come forth
from the study of the words of life with minds expanded, elevated,
ennobled, and with their slumbering powers aroused to engage in the
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