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True Education a Missionary Training
271
tainment of objects as much higher than selfish and worldly interests
as the heavens are higher than the earth.
It rests with us as parents and as Christians to give our children
right direction. They are to be carefully, wisely, tenderly guided into
paths of Christlike ministry. We are under sacred covenant with God
to rear our children for His service. Our first duty is to surround
them with such influences as shall lead them to choose a life of
service, and to give them the training needed.
“God so loved ... that He gave,” “gave His only begotten Son,”
that we “should not perish but have everlasting life.” “Christ ... has
loved us and given Himself for us.” If we love, we shall give. “Not
... to be served, but to serve” is the great lesson that we are to learn
and teach.
John 3:16
;
Ephesians 5:2
;
Matthew 20:28
.
Impress the youth with the thought that they are not their own.
They belong to Christ. They are the purchase of His blood, the claim
of His love. They live because He keeps them by His power. Their
time, their strength, their capabilities are His, to be developed, to be
trained, to be used for Him.
Next to the angelic beings, the human family, formed in the
image of God, are the noblest of His created works. God desires
them to become all that He has made it possible for them to be, and
to do their very best with the powers He has given them.
Life is mysterious and sacred. It is the manifestation of God Him-
self, the Source of all life. Precious are its opportunities. Earnestly
should they be improved. Once lost, they are gone forever.
Before us God places eternity, with its solemn realities, and gives
us a grasp on immortal, imperishable themes. He presents valuable,
ennobling truth, that we may advance in a safe and sure path, in
pursuit of an object worthy of the earnest engagement of all our
capabilities.
God looks into the tiny seed that He Himself has formed, and
sees wrapped within it the beautiful flower, the shrub, or the lofty,
widespreading tree. So also He sees the possibilities in every human
being. We are here for a purpose. God has given us His plan for our
life, and He wants us to reach the highest standard of development.
He desires that we shall constantly be growing in holiness, in
happiness, in usefulness. All have capabilities that they must be
taught to regard as sacred endowments, to appreciate as the Lord’s