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not spend your means for the gratification of appetite or in pleasure-
seeking. Be determined to become as useful and efficient as God calls
you to be. Be thorough and faithful in whatever you undertake. Pro-
cure every advantage within your reach for strengthening the intellect.
Let the study of books be combined with useful manual labor, and by
faithful endeavor, watchfulness, and prayer, secure the wisdom that is
from above. This will give you an all-round education. Thus you may
rise in character and gain an influence over other minds, enabling you
to lead them in the path of uprightness and holiness.
Far more might be accomplished in the work of self-education if
we were awake to our own opportunities and privileges. True education
means more than the colleges can give. While the study of the sciences
is not to be neglected, there is a higher training to be obtained through
a vital connection with God. Let every student take his Bible, and
place himself in communion with the great Teacher. Let the mind be
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trained and disciplined to wrestle with hard problems in the search for
divine truth.
Knowledge and Self-discipline
Those who hunger for knowledge that they may bless their fellow
men will themselves receive blessing from God. Through the study
of His word their mental powers will be aroused to earnest activity.
There will be an expansion and development of the faculties, and the
mind will acquire power and efficiency.
Self-discipline must be practiced by every one who would be a
worker for God. This will accomplish more than eloquence or the
most brilliant talents.—
Christ’s Object Lessons, 334, 335
.
Meeting Expectations of Parents
It is always best and safe to do right because it is right. Will you not
now do some serious thinking? Right thinking lies at the foundation
of right action. Make up your mind that you will respond to the
expectations your parents have of you, that you will make faithful
efforts to excel, that you will see to it that the money expended for you
has not been misapplied and misused. Have a determined purpose to
co-operate with the efforts made by parents and teachers, and reach