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Fundamentals of Christian Education
By crucifying self they are placing their feet in the path in which He
can lead them.
There is danger that the inexperienced worker, while seeking to
qualify himself for the work, will feel competent to place himself in
any kind of a position, where various winds of doctrines are blowing
about him. This he cannot do without peril to his own soul. If trials and
temptations come upon him, the Lord will give strength to overcome
them; but when one places himself in the way of temptation, it often
happens that Satan through his agents advances his sentiments in such
a manner as to confuse and unsettle the mind. By communion with
God and close searching of the Scriptures, the worker should become
thoroughly established himself before he enters regularly upon the
work of teaching others. John, the beloved disciple, was exiled to
lonely Patmos, that he might be separated from all strife, and even
from the work he loved, and that the Lord might commune with him
and open before him the closing scenes in this earth’s history. It was
in the wilderness that John the Baptist learned the message that he was
to bear, to prepare the way for the coming One.
But above everything else it should be impressed upon the individ-
uals who have decided to become God’s servants, that they must be
converted men. The heart must be pure. Godliness is essential for this
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life and the life which is to come. The man without a solid, virtuous
character will surely be no honor to the cause of truth. The youth who
contemplates laboring together with God, should be pure in heart. In
his lips, in his mouth, should be no guile. The thoughts should be pure.
Holiness of life and character is a rare thing, but this the worker must
have or he cannot yoke up with Christ. Christ says, “Without Me ye
can do nothing.” If those who purpose to work for others’ good and
for the salvation of their fellow men rely on their own wisdom, they
will fail. If they are entertaining humble views of themselves, then
they are simple enough to believe in God and expect His help. “Lean
not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct thy paths.” Then we have the privilege of being
directed by a wise counselor, and increased understanding is given to
the true, sincere seeker for truth and for knowledge.
The reason why we have no more men of great breadth and ex-
tended knowledge, is because they trust to their own finite wisdom,
and seek to place their own mold upon the work, in the place of having