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all coarseness, all trifling, ever remembering that they are educators;
that, whether they will or not, their words and acts are to those with
whom they come in contact a savor of life or of death.
It is discipline of spirit, cleanness of heart and thought, that is
needed. Moral purity depends on right thinking and right acting. Evil
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thoughts destroy the soul, while a right control of the thoughts prepares
the mind to labor harmoniously for the Master. Every thought should
be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
The teachers of truth must be wise men, very careful of their words
and actions. They must be men who will give meat in due season to the
flock of God; men who will not give the least sanction to low standards
of living; men who have that faith which works by love, and purifies
the soul from all carnal thoughts and desires. Workers of this character
will not grovel in earthliness; they will not be in bondage to human
beings or to Satan’s temptations. They will quit themselves like men,
and be strong. They will turn their faces to the Sun of Righteousness,
rising above all base things into an atmosphere free from spiritual and
moral defilement.
He who lives the principles of Bible religion, will not be found
weak in moral power. Under the ennobling influence of the Holy Spirit,
the tastes and inclinations become pure and holy. Nothing takes so
strong a hold upon the affections, nothing reaches so fully down to
the deepest motives of action, nothing exerts so potent an influence
upon the life, and gives so great firmness and stability to the character,
as the religion of Christ. It leads its possessor ever upward, inspiring
him with noble purposes, teaching him propriety of deportment, and
imparting a becoming dignity to every action.
* * * * *
By what means shall the young man repress his evil propensities,
and develop that which is noble and good in his character? Let him
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heed the words, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever
ye do, do all to the glory of God.” [
1 Corinthians 10:31
.] Here is a
principle that is to underlie every motive, thought, and act. Unholy
passions must be crucified. They will clamor for indulgence, but God
has implanted in the heart high and holy purposes and desires, and
these need not be debased. It is only when we refuse to submit to