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Fundamentals of Christian Education
Spirit will give you glimpses of heavenly things. When you seek God
with humiliation and earnestness, the words which you have spoken
in freezing accents will burn in your hearts; the truth will not then
languish upon your tongues.
Eternal interest should be the great theme of teachers and students.
Conformity to the world should be strictly guarded against. The teach-
ers need to be sanctified through the truth, and the all-important thing
should be the conversion of their students, that they may have a new
heart and life. The object of the Great Teacher is the restoration of
the image of God in the soul, and every teacher in our schools should
work in harmony with this purpose.
Teachers, trust in God, and go forward, “My grace is sufficient for
you” is the assurance of the Great Teacher. Catch the inspiration of the
words, and never, never talk doubt and unbelief. Be energetic. There
is no half-and-half service in pure and undefiled religion. “Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with
all thy strength, and with all thy mind.” The very highest sanctified
ambition is demanded of those who believe the word of God.
Teachers, tell your students that the Lord Jesus Christ has made
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every provision that they should go onward, conquering and to conquer.
Lead them to trust in the divine promise: “If any of you lack wisdom,
let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.
For he that wavereth [talks faith one moment, and acts unbelief the
next] is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For
let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A
double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
From God, the fountain of wisdom, proceeds all the knowledge
that is of value to man, all that the intellect can grasp or retain. The
fruit of the tree representing good and evil is not to be eagerly plucked,
because it is recommended by one who was once a bright angel in
glory. He has said that if men eat thereof, they shall know good and
evil. But let it alone. The true knowledge comes not from infidels
or wicked men. The word of God is light and truth. The true light
shines from Jesus Christ, who “lighteth every man that cometh into the
world.” From the Holy Spirit proceeds divine knowledge. He knows
what humanity needs to promote peace, happiness, and restfulness
here in this world, and secure eternal rest in the kingdom of God.