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Messages to Young People
Preparation for Future Contingencies
The world is to be warned, and no soul should rest satisfied with a
superficial knowledge of truth. You know not to what responsibility
you may be called. You know not where you may be called upon to
give your witness of truth. Many will have to stand in the legislative
courts; some will have to stand before kings and before the learned of
the earth, to answer for their faith.
Those who have only a superficial understanding of truth will not
be able clearly to expound the Scriptures, and give definite reasons for
their faith. They will become confused, and will not be workmen that
need not to be ashamed. Let no one imagine that he has no need to
study because he is not to preach in the sacred desk. You know not
what God may require of you.
It is a lamentable fact that the advancement of the cause is hindered
by the dearth of educated laborers who have fitted themselves for
positions of trust. The Lord will accept of thousands to labor in His
great harvest field, but many have failed to fit themselves for the work.
But every one who has espoused the cause of Christ, who has offered
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himself as a soldier in the Lord’s army, should place himself where
he may have faithful drill. Religion has meant altogether too little to
the professed followers of Christ; for it is not the will of God that any
one should remain ignorant when wisdom and knowledge have been
placed within reach.—
Fundamentals of Christian Education, 216, 217
.
Balanced by Right Principles
It is not true that brilliant young men always make the greatest
success. How often men of talent and education have been placed
in positions of trust, and have proved failures. Their glitter had the
appearance of gold, but when it was tried it proved to be but tinsel and
dross. They made a failure of their work through unfaithfulness. They
were not industrious and persevering, and did not go to the bottom
of things. They were not willing to begin at the bottom of the ladder,
and with patient toil ascend round after round till they reached the top.
They walked in the sparks (their bright flashes of thought) of their
own kindling. They did not depend on the wisdom which God alone
can give. Their failure was not because they did not have a chance,