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Fundamentals of Christian Education
receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons
and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
Never was there a time in earth’s history when this warning was
more appropriate than at the present time. Many professed Christians
think, like Solomon, that they may unite with the ungodly, because
their influence over those who are in the wrong will be beneficial;
but too often they themselves, entrapped and overcome, yield their
sacred faith, sacrifice principle, and separate themselves from God.
One false step leads to another, till at last they place themselves where
they cannot hope to break the chains that bind them.
Great care should be taken by Christian youth in the formation of
friendships and in the choice of companions. Take heed, lest what
you now think to be pure gold turns out to be base metal. Worldly
associations tend to place obstructions in the way of your service to
God, and many souls are ruined by unhappy unions, either business
or matrimonial, with those who can never elevate or ennoble. Never
should God’s people venture upon forbidden ground. Marriage be-
tween believers and unbelievers is forbidden by God. But too often the
unconverted heart follows its own desires, and marriages unsanctioned
by God are formed. Because of this many men and women are without
hope and without God in the world. Their noble aspirations are dead;
by a chain of circumstances they are held in Satan’s net. Those who
are ruled by passion and impulse will have a bitter harvest to reap in
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this life, and their course may result in the loss of their souls.
Institutional Work
Those who are placed in charge of the Lord’s institutions are in
need of much of the strength and grace and keeping power of God, that
they shall not walk contrary to the sacred principles of the truth. Many,
many are very dull of comprehension in regard to their obligation to
preserve the truth in its purity, uncontaminated by one vestige of error.
Their danger is in holding the truth in light esteem, thus leaving upon
minds the impression that it is of little consequence what we believe, if,
by carrying out plans of human devising, we can exalt ourselves before
the world as holding a superior position, as occupying the highest seat.
God calls for men whose hearts are as true as steel, and who will
stand steadfast in integrity, undaunted by circumstances. He calls for