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Special Testimonies On Education
would the Lord accept. But when David, the youngest son, a mere
youth, and the shepherd of the sheep, was called from the field, and
passed before Samuel, the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him: for this is
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he.”
Who can determine which one of a family will prove to be ef-
ficient in the work of God? There should be general education of
all its members, and all our youth should be permitted to have the
blessings and privileges of an education at our schools, that they may
be inspired to become laborers together with God. They all need an
education that they may be fitted for usefulness in this life, qualified
for places of responsibility both in private and public life. There is a
great necessity of making plans that there may be a large number of
competent workers, and many should fit themselves up as teachers,
that others may be trained and disciplined for the great work of the
future. The church should take in the situation, and by their influence
and means seek to bring about this much-desired end. Let a fund be
created by generous contributions for the establishment of schools for
the advancement of educational work. We need men well trained, well
educated, to work in the interests of the churches. They should present
the fact that we cannot trust our youth to go to seminaries and colleges
established by other denominations, but must gather them in where
their religious training will not be neglected. God would not have us
in any sense behind in educational work; our colleges should be far in
advance in the highest kind of education.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” “The entrance
of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” If
we do not have schools for our youth, they will attend other seminaries
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and colleges, and will be exposed to infidel sentiments, to cavilings
and questionings concerning the inspiration of the Bible. There is
a great deal of talk concerning higher education, and many suppose
that this higher education consists wholly in an education in science
and literature; but this is not all. The highest education includes the
knowledge of the word of God, and is comprehended in the words
of Christ. “That they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus
Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
The highest class of education is that which will give such knowl-
edge and discipline as will lead to the best development of character,
and will fit the soul for that life which measures with the life of God.