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Special Testimonies On Education
again. They are there to show forth the loving-kindness of the Lord, to
speak of his glory, to sound forth the praises of him who hath called
us out of darkness into his marvelous light. Those who are faithful
will be clothed with white robes, will have palms of victory in their
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hands, and will stand in the heavenly courts. John says, “I beheld,
and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations,
and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and
before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth
upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”
Again and again the heavenly messenger has been sent to the
school. When his presence has been acknowledged, the darkness has
fled away, and the light has shone forth, and hearts have been drawn
to God. The last words spoken by Christ to John were, “And the spirit
and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth, say, Come. And let
him that is athirst come. And whosoever will let him take the water
of life freely.” When we respond to God, and say, “Lord, we come,”
then with joy will we draw water out of the wells of salvation. Shall
we not keep holy festivals unto God? Shall we not show that we have
some enthusiasm in his service? With the grand, ennobling theme of
salvation before us, shall we be as cold as statues of marble? If men
can become so excited over a match game of cricket, or a horse-race, or
over foolish things that bring no good to any one, shall we be unmoved
when the plan of salvation is unfolded before us? Let the school and
the church henceforth have festivals of rejoicing unto the Lord.
I do not recommend pleasure parties where young people assemble
together for mere amusement, to engage in cheap, nonsensical talk,
and where loud, boisterous laughter is to be heard. I do not recommend
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this kind of gathering, where there is a letting down of dignity, and the
scene is one of weakness and folly. Many times young men for whom
heavenly intelligences have been waiting in order to number them as
missionaries for God, are drawn into the gatherings for amusement,
and are carried away with Satan’s fascinations. Instead of being afraid
to continue their association with girls whose depth of mind is easily
measured, whose character is of a cheap order, they become enamored
of them, and enter into an engagement. Satan knows that if these young
men enter into an engagement with cheap-minded, pleasure-loving,
worldly-minded, irreligious young women, they will bind themselves