Chapter 66—Teachers as Examples of Christian
Integrity
I have a message for those standing at the head of our educational
institutions. I am instructed to call the attention of every one occupying
a position of responsibility, to the divine law as the basis of all right
conduct. I am to begin by calling attention to the law given in Eden,
and to the reward of obedience and the penalty of disobedience.
In consequence of Adam’s transgression, sin was introduced into
the fair world that God had created, and men and women became more
and still more bold in disobeying His law. The Lord looked down upon
the impenitent world, and decided that He must give transgressors
an exhibition of His power. He caused Noah to know His purpose,
and instructed him to warn the people while building an ark in which
the obedient could find shelter until God’s indignation was overpast.
For one hundred and twenty years Noah proclaimed the message of
warning to the antediluvian world; but only a few repented. Some of
the carpenters he employed in building the ark, believed the message,
but died before the flood; others of Noah’s converts backslid. The
righteous on the earth were but few, and only eight lived to enter the
ark. These were Noah and his family.
The rebellious race was swept away by the flood. Death was their
portion. By the fulfillment of the prophetic warning that all who would
not keep the commandments of heaven should drink the waters of the
flood, the truth of God’s word was exemplified.
After the flood the people once more increased on the earth, and
wickedness also increased. Idolatry became well-nigh universal, and
the Lord finally left the hardened transgressors to follow their evil
ways, while He chose Abraham, of the line of Shem, and made him
the keeper of His law for future generations. To him the message
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came, “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from
thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee.” And by faith
Abraham obeyed. “He went out, not knowing whither he went.”
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