The best education that can be given to children and youth is that which bears the closest
relation to the future, immortal life. This kind of education should be given by godly parents, by
devoted teachers, and by the church, to the end that the youth in turn may become zealous
missionaries for either home or foreign fields. They are to be earnestly instructed in the truths of
the Bible, that they may become pillars in the church, champions for truth, rooted and grounded
in the faith. They are to know whereof they believe, and to have such an experience in divine
things that they will never become betrayers of sacred trusts.
The youth should be educated by precept and example that they are to be agents for God,
messengers of mercy, ready for every good word and work, that they are to be blessings to those
who are ready to perish. We are in great need of educated ability, and the talents intrusted to our
youth should be consecrated to the service of God, and employed in His work. There should be
men and women who are qualified to work in the churches and to train our young people for
special lines of work, that souls may be brought to see Jesus. The schools established by us
should have in view this object, and not be after the order of the denominational schools
established by other churches, or after the order of worldly seminaries and colleges. They are to
be of an altogether higher order, where no phase of infidelity shall be originated, or
countenanced. The students are to be educated in practical Christianity, and the Bible must be
regarded as the highest, the most important textbook.
There is a great demand in all parts of the world for Christian teachers and for medical
missionaries. In all parts of the field both at home and abroad, are open doors for those who can
do good to body and soul, presenting the precious light of
truth. The past neglect in this direction must not be perpetuated. Great light has shone upon our
pathway in some directions more than others, and yet our advance along these very lines has been
far behind the light we have had. Many of our most promising young men and women have
offered their best ability at the shrine of idols, and have given themselves as a sacrifice to the
prince of evil. O that the youth in our schools, one and all, might yield to the precious strivings of
the Spirit of the Lord, that they might know the indications of His providence, and wait upon
God, that they might know and do His will! In this way they would open the door of the heart to
Jesus.
In surrendering ourselves to God, we reap great advantages; for if we have weaknesses of
character, as we all have, we unite ourselves to One who is mighty to save. Our ignorance will be
united to infinite wisdom, our frailty to enduring might, and, like Jacob, we may each become a
prince with God. Connected with the Lord God of Israel, we shall have power from above which
will enable us to be overcomers; and by the impartation of divine love, we shall find access to the
hearts of men. We shall have fastened our trembling grasp upon the throne of the Infinite, and
shall say, "I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me." The assurance is given that He will
bless us and make us a blessing; and this is our light, our joy, our triumph. When the youth
understand what it is to have the favor and love of God in the heart, they will begin to realize the
value of their blood-bought privileges, and will consecrate their ability to God, and strive with all
their God-given powers to increase their talents to use in the Master's service.
The only safety for our youth in this age of sin and crime is to have a living connection with
God. They must learn how to seek God, that they may be filled with His Holy Spirit, and act as
though they realized that the whole host of heaven was looking upon them with interested
solicitude,
ready to minister unto them in danger and in time of need. The youth should be barricaded by
warning and instruction against temptation. They should be taught what are the encouragements
held out to them in the word of God. They should have delineated before them the peril of taking
a step into the by-paths of evil. They should be educated to revere the counsels of God in His
sacred oracles. They should be so instructed that they will set their resolution against evil, and
determine that they will not enter into any path where they could not expect Jesus to accompany
them, and His blessing to abide upon them. They should be taught practical, daily religion that
will sanctify them in every relation of life, in their homes, in business, in the church, in society.
They must be so educated that they will realize that it is a perilous thing to trifle with their
privileges, but that God expects them reverently and earnestly to seek daily for His blessing. The
blessing of God is a precious gift, and it is to be counted of such worth that it will not be
surrendered at any cost. The blessing of God maketh rich, and it addeth no sorrow.
My heart is stirred to its depths as I read of the prostitution of noble powers to the service of
Satan. In governmental departments, in positions of high responsibility, in official trusts, men are
tempted by the evil one; and corruption and crime, embezzlements, robberies, and extortions are
the result. There are terrible sinks of corruption, pouring out upon our world poisonous
influences that corrupt the community. In every place Satan has set his traps that he may catch
men of education, of good natural endowments, men who are capable of becoming laborers
together with God, companions of angels, inhabitants of heaven, that he may bind them to his car
as his slaves. And yet Jesus has ransomed them from the bondage of the enemy, and they refuse
to be at liberty, and will not become the sons of God, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus
Christ to an immortal inheritance. They live as though the earth, money, position, houses, and
lands were the main objects of their creation. Through the tender mercy of God their life is
prolonged; but is it not a pitiable sight to see men of high ability living on so low a plane?
The ransom has been paid, and it is possible for all to come to God, and through a life of
obedience to attain unto everlasting life. Then how sad it is that men turn from the immortal
inheritance, and live for the gratification of pride, for selfishness and display, and through
submission to the rule of Satan, lose the blessing which they might have both in this life and in
the life to come. They might enter into the palaces of heaven, and associate on terms of freedom
and equality with Christ and heavenly angels, and with the princes of God; and yet, incredible as
it may seem, they turn from heavenly attractions. The Creator of all worlds proposes to love
those who believe in His only-begotten Son as their personal Saviour, even as He loves His Son.
Even here and now His gracious favor is bestowed upon us to this marvelous extent. He has
given to men the gift of the Light and Majesty of heaven, and with Him He has bestowed all the
treasures of heaven. Much as He has promised us for the life to come, He also bestows princely
gifts upon us in this life, and as subjects of His grace, He would have us enjoy everything that
will ennoble, expand, and elevate our characters. It is His design to fit us for the heavenly courts
above.
But Satan is contending for the souls of men, and casts his hellish shadow athwart their path,
in order that they shall not behold the light. He would not have them catch a glimpse of the future
honor, the eternal glories, laid up for those who shall be inhabitants of heaven, or have a taste of
the experience that gives a foretaste of the happiness of heaven. But with the heavenly attractions
set before the mind to inspire hope, to awaken desire, to spur to effort, how can we turn from the
prospect, and choose sin and its wages, which is death?
Those who accept Christ as their Saviour have the promise
of the life that now is, and that which is to come. The human agent owes no part of his ability to
the service of Satan; but his entire allegiance is due to the infinite and eternal God. The lowliest
disciple of Christ may become an inhabitant of heaven, an heir of God to an inheritance
incorruptible, and that fadeth not away. O that every one might make choice of the heavenly gift,
become an heir of God to that inheritance whose title is secure from any destroyer, world without
end! O, choose not the world, but choose the better inheritance! Press, urge your way toward the
mark for the prize of your high calling in Christ Jesus. For Christ's sake, let the aim of your
education be shaped by the inducements of the better world.-- Review and Herald, Nov. 21, 1893.