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Fundamentals of Christian Education
God or Satan controls the mind; and the life shows so clearly that
none need mistake to which power you yield allegiance. Every one
has an influence either for good or for evil. Is your influence on the
side of Christ or on that of Satan? Those who turn away from iniquity
enlist the power of Omnipotence in their favor. The atmosphere that
surrounds them is not of earth. By the silent power of a well-ordered
life and a godly conversation, they may present Jesus to the world.
They may reflect Heaven’s light, and win souls to Christ.
I am glad that we have institutions where our youth can be sep-
arated from the corrupting influences so prevalent in the schools of
the present day. Our brethren and sisters should be thankful that in
the providence of God our colleges have been established, and should
stand ready to sustain them by their means. Every influence should
be brought to bear to educate the youth and to elevate their morals.
They should be trained to have moral courage to resist the tide of
moral pollution in this degenerate age. With a firm hold upon divine
power, they may stand in society to mold and fashion, rather than to
be fashioned after the world’s model.
There can be no more important work than the proper education
of our youth. We must guard them, fighting back Satan, that he shall
not take them out of our arms. When the youth come to our colleges,
they should not be made to feel that they have come among strangers,
who do not care for their souls. There should be fathers and mothers
in Israel who will watch for their souls, as they that must give account.
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Brethren and sisters, do not hold yourselves aloof from the dear youth,
as though you have no particular concern or responsibility for them.
You who have long professed to be Christians have a work to do to
patiently and kindly lead them in the right way. You should show them
that you love them because they are younger members of the Lord’s
family, the purchase of His blood.
The future of society will be determined by the youth of today.
Satan is making earnest, persevering efforts to corrupt the mind and
debase the character of every young person; and shall we who have
more experience stand as mere spectators, and see him accomplish his
purpose without hindrance? Let us stand at our post as minute men,
to work for these youth, and through the help of God hold them back
from the pit of destruction. In the parable, while men slept, the enemy
sowed tares; and while you, my brethren and sisters, are unconscious