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Workers with God
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under the full control of the Spirit of God that the talents of an in-
dividual are rendered useful to the fullest extent. The precepts and
principles of religion are the first steps in the acquisition of knowl-
edge, and lie at the very foundation of true education. Knowledge
and science must be vitalized by the Spirit of God in order to serve
the noblest purposes. The Christian alone can make the right use
of knowledge. Science, in order to be fully appreciated, must be
viewed from a religious standpoint. Then all will worship the God
of science. The heart which is ennobled by the grace of God can
best comprehend the real value of education. The attributes of God
as seen in His created works can be appreciated only as we have
a knowledge of the Creator. The teachers must be acquainted, not
only with the theory of the truth, but must have an experimental
knowledge of the way of holiness in order to lead the youth to the
fountains of truth, to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of
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the world. Knowledge is power only when united with true piety.
A soul emptied of self will be noble. Christ abiding in the heart by
faith will make us wise in God’s sight.
* * * * *
Receiving Gifts
[Special Testimonies, Series A 3:32-35 (1895).]
January 30, 1895.
You inquire with respect to the propriety of receiving gifts from
Gentiles or the heathen. [
See appendix.
] The question is not strange;
but I would ask you, Who is it that owns our world? Who are the real
owners of houses and lands? Is it not God? He has an abundance in
our world which He has placed in the hands of men, by which the
hungry might be supplied with food, the naked with clothing, the
homeless with homes. The Lord would move upon worldly men,
even idolaters, to give of their abundance for the support of the work,
if we would approach them wisely, and give them an opportunity of
doing those things which it is their privilege to do. What they would
give we should be privileged to receive.
We should become acquainted with men in high places and, by
exercising the wisdom of the serpent and the harmlessness of the