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False and the True in Education
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the earth. We are to see in history the fulfillment of prophecy. We are
to study the workings of Providence in the great reformatory move-
ments and to understand the progress of events in the marshaling of
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the nations for the final conflict of the great controversy.
Such study will give broad, comprehensive views of life. It will
help us to understand something of its relations and dependencies,
how wonderfully we are bound together in the great community of
society and nations, and to how great an extent the oppression and
degradation of one member means loss to all.
But history, as commonly studied, is concerned with human
achievements such as victories in battle and success in attaining
power and greatness. God’s agency in human affairs is lost sight
of. Few study the working out of His purpose in the rise and fall of
nations.
And, to a great degree, theology, as studied and taught, is but
a record of human speculation, serving only to “darken counsel
by words without knowledge.”
Job 38:2
. Too often the motive
in accumulating these many books is not a desire to obtain food
for mind and soul, it is an ambition to become acquainted with
philosophers and theologians, a desire to present Christianity to the
people in learned terms and propositions.
Not all the books written can serve the purpose of a holy life.
“‘Learn from Me,’” said the Great Teacher, “‘take My yoke upon
you,’ learn My meekness and lowliness.” Your intellectual pride will
not aid you in communicating with souls who are perishing for want
of the bread of life. In your study of these books you are allowing
them to take the place of the practical lessons you should be learning
from Christ. The results of this study do not feed the people. Very
little of the research that is so wearying to the mind furnishes help
for a person who wants to be a successful soul winner.
The Savior came “‘to preach the gospel to the poor.’”
Luke 4:18
.
In His teaching He used the simplest terms and the plainest symbols.
And it is said that “the common people heard Him gladly.”
Mark
12:37
. Those who are seeking to do His work for this time need a
deeper insight into the lessons He has given.
The words of the living God are the highest of all education.
Those who minister to the people need to eat of the Bread of Life.