The mastermind in the confederacy of evil is ever working
to keep out of sight the words of God, and to bring
into view the opinions of men. He means that we shall not
hear the voice of God, saying, "This is the way, walk ye in
it." Isaiah 30:21. Through perverted educational processes
he is doing his utmost to obscure heaven's light.
Philosophical speculation and scientific research in which
God is not acknowledged are making skeptics of thousands.
In the schools of today the conclusions that learned men have
reached as the result of their scientific investigations are carefully
taught and fully explained; while the impression is
distinctly given that if these learned men are correct, the
Bible cannot be. Skepticism is attractive to the human mind.
The youth see in it an independence that captivates the
imagination, and they are deceived. Satan triumphs. He nourishes
every seed of doubt that is sown in young hearts. He
causes it to grow and bear fruit, and soon a plentiful harvest of
infidelity is reaped.
It is because the human heart is inclined to evil that it is
so dangerous to sow the seeds of skepticism in young minds.
Whatever weakens faith in God robs the soul of power to
resist temptation. It removes the only real safeguard against
sin. We are in need of schools where the youth shall be
taught that greatness consists in honoring God by revealing
His character in daily life. Through His word and His
works we need to learn of God, that our lives may fulfill His
purpose.
Infidel Authors
In order to obtain an education, many think it essential to
study the writings of infidel authors, because these works
contain many bright gems of thought. But who was the
originator of these gems of thought? It was God, and God
only. He is the source of all light. Why then should we wade
through the mass of error contained in the works of infidels
for the sake of a few intellectual truths, when all truth is at
our command.
How is it that men who are at war with the government
of God come into possession of the wisdom which they
sometimes display? Satan himself was educated in the heavenly
courts, and he has a knowledge of good as well as of evil. He
mingles the precious with the vile, and this is what gives him
power to deceive. But because Satan has robed himself in
garments of heavenly brightness, shall we receive him as an
angel of light? The tempter has his agents, educated according
to his methods, inspired by his spirit, and adapted to his
work. Shall we co-operate with them? Shall we receive the
works of his agents as essential to the acquirement of an
education?
If the time and effort spent in seeking to grasp the bright
ideas of infidels were given to studying the precious things
of the word of God, thousands who now sit in darkness and
in the shadow of death would be rejoicing in the glory of the
Light of life.
Historical and Theological Lore
As a preparation for Christian work, many think it essential
to acquire an extensive knowledge of historical and
theological writings. They suppose that this knowledge will
be an aid to them in teaching the gospel. But their laborious
study of the opinions of men tends to the enfeebling of their
ministry, rather than to its strengthening. As I see libraries
filled with ponderous volumes of historical and theological
lore, I think, Why spend money for that which is not bread?
The sixth chapter of John tells us more than can be found in
such works. Christ says: "I am the Bread of Life: he that
cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on
Me shall never thirst." "I am the living Bread which came
down from heaven: if any man eat of this Bread, he shall live
forever." "He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life."
"The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they
are life." John 6:35, 51, 47, 63.
There is a study of history that is not to be condemned.
Sacred history was one of the studies in the schools of the
prophets. In the record of His dealings with the nations
were traced the footsteps of Jehovah. So today we are to
consider the dealings of God with the nations of the earth. We
are to see in history the fulfillment of prophecy, to study the
workings of Providence in the great reformatory movements,
and to understand the progress of events in the marshaling
of the nations for the final conflict of the great controversy.
Such study will give broad, comprehensive views of life.
It will help us to understand something of its relations and
dependencies, how wonderfully we are bound together in the
great brotherhood of society and nations, and to how great
an extent the oppression and degradation of one member
means loss to all.
But history, as commonly studied, is concerned with man's
achievements, his victories in battle, his success in attaining
power and greatness. God's agency in the affairs of men is
lost sight of. Few study the working out of His purpose in
the rise and fall of nations.
And, to a great degree, theology, as studied and taught, is
but a record of human speculation, serving only to "darken
counsel by words without knowledge." Too often the motive
in accumulating these many books is not so much a desire to
obtain food for mind and soul, as it is an ambition to become
acquainted with philosophers and theologians, a desire to
present Christianity to the people in learned terms and
propositions.
Not all the books written can serve the purpose of a holy
life. "'Learn of Me'," said the Great Teacher," "'take My
yoke upon you,' learn My meekness and lowliness." Your
intellectual pride will not aid you in communicating with
souls that are perishing for want of the bread of life. In your
study of these books you are allowing them to take the place
of the practical lessons you should be learning from Christ.
With the results of this study the people are not fed. Very
little of the research which is so wearying to the mind
furnishes that which will help one to be a successful laborer for
souls.
The Saviour came "to preach the gospel to the poor."
Luke 4:18. In His teaching He used the simplest terms and
the plainest symbols. And it is said that "the common people
heard Him gladly." Mark 12:37. Those who are seeking to
do His work for this time need a deeper insight into the
lessons He has given.
The words of the living God are the highest of all education.
Those who minister to the people need to eat of the
bread of life. This will give them spiritual strength; then
they will be prepared to minister to all classes of people.
The Classics
In the colleges and universities thousands of youth devote
a large part of the best years of life to the study of Greek and
Latin. And while they are engaged in these studies, mind and
character are molded by the evil sentiments of pagan literature,
the reading of which is generally regarded as an essential
part of the study of these languages.
Those who are conversant with the classics declare that
"the Greek tragedies are full of incest, murder, and human
sacrifices to lustful and revengeful gods." Far better would
it be for the world were the education gained from such
sources to be dispensed with. "Can one go upon hot coals,
and his feet not be burned?" Provers 6:28. "Who can bring
a clean thing out of an unclean? not one." Job 14:4. Can we
then expect the youth to develop Christian character while
their education is molded by the teaching of those who set
at defiance the principles of the law of God?
In casting off restraint and plunging into reckless amusement,
dissipation, and vice, students are but imitating that
which is kept before their minds by these studies. There are
callings in which a knowledge of Greek and Latin is needed.
Some must study these languages. But the knowledge of
them essential for practical uses might be gained without a
study of literature that is corrupt and corrupting.
And a knowledge of Greek and Latin is not needed by
many. The study of dead languages should be made secondary
to a study of those subjects that teach the right use of all
the powers of body and mind. It is folly for students to devote
their time to the acquirement of dead languages or of book
knowledge in any line, to the neglect of a training for life's
practical duties.
What do students carry with them when they leave school?
Where are they going? What are they to do? Have they the
knowledge that will enable them to teach others? Have they
been educated to be true fathers and mothers? Can they
stand at the head of a family as wise instructors? The only
education worthy of the name is that which leads young
men and young women to be Christlike, which fits them to
bear life's responsibilities, fits them to stand at the head of
their families. Such an education is not to be acquired by a
study of heathen classics.
Sensational Literature
Many of the popular publications of the day are filled with
sensational stories that are educating the youth in wickedness
and leading them in the path to perdition. Mere children in
years are old in a knowledge of crime. They are incited to evil
by the tales they read. In imagination they act over the deeds
portrayed, until their ambition is aroused to see what they
can do in committing crime and evading punishment.
To the active minds of children and youth the scenes
pictured in imaginary revelations of the future are realities. As
revolutions are predicted and all manner of proceedings
described that break down the barriers of law and
self-restraint, many catch the spirit of these representations. They
are led to the commission of crimes even worse, if possible,
than these sensational writers depict. Through such influences
as these, society is becoming demoralized. The seeds of
lawlessness are sown broadcast. None need marvel that a
harvest of crime is the result.
Works of romance, frivolous, exciting tales, are, in hardly
less degree, a curse to the reader. The author may profess to
teach a moral lesson, throughout his work he may interweave
religious sentiments; but often these serve only to veil the
folly and worthlessness beneath.
The world is flooded with books that are filled with
enticing error. The youth receive as truth that which the
Bible denounces as falsehood, and they love and cling to
deception that means ruin to the soul.
There are works of fiction that were written for the
purpose of teaching truth or exposing some great evil. Some of
these works have accomplished good. Yet they have also
wrought untold harm. They contain statements and highly
wrought pen pictures that excite the imagination and give
rise to a train of thought which is full of danger, especially to
the youth. The scenes described are lived over and over
again in their thoughts. Such reading unfits the mind for
usefulness and disqualifies it for spiritual exercise. It destroys
interest in the Bible. Heavenly things find little place in the
thoughts. As the mind dwells upon the scenes of impurity
portrayed, passion is aroused, and the end is sin.
Even fiction which contains no suggestion of impurity,
and which may be intended to teach excellent principles, is
harmful. It encourages the habit of hasty and superficial
reading merely for the story. Thus it tends to destroy the
power of connected and vigorous thought; it unfits the soul to
contemplate the great problems of duty and destiny.
By fostering love for mere amusement, the reading of
fiction creates a distaste for life's practical duties. Through its
exciting, intoxicating power it is not infrequently a cause of
both mental and physical disease. Many a miserable,
neglected home, many a lifelong invalid, many an inmate of the
insane asylum, has become such through the habit of novel
reading.
It is often urged that in order to win the youth from
sensational or worthless literature, we should supply them with a
better class of fiction. This is like trying to cure the drunkard
by giving him, in the place of whisky or brandy, the milder
intoxicants, such as wine, beer, or cider. The use of these
would continually foster the appetite for stronger stimulants.
The only safety for the inebriate, and the only safeguard for
the temperate man, is total abstinence. For the lover of
fiction the same rule holds true. Total abstinence is his only
safety.
Myths and Fairy Tales
In the education of children and youth, fairy tales, myths,
and fictitious stories are now given a large place. Books of this
character are used in the schools, and they are to be found in
many homes. How can Christian parents permit their
children to use books so filled with falsehood? When the children
ask the meaning of stories so contrary to the teaching of
their parents, the answer is that the stories are not true; but
this does not do away with the evil results of their use. The
ideas presented in these books mislead the children. They
impart false views of life and beget and foster a desire for the
unreal.
The widespread use of such books at this time is one of
the cunning devices of Satan. He is seeking to divert the
minds of old and young from the great work of character
building. He means that our children and youth shall be
swept away by the soul-destroying deceptions with which he
is filling the world. Therefore he seeks to divert their minds
from the word of God and thus prevent them from obtaining
a knowledge of those truths that would be their safeguard.
Never should books containing a perversion of truth be
placed in the hands of children or youth. Let not our
children, in the very process of obtaining an education, receive
ideas that will prove to be seeds of sin. If those with mature
minds had nothing to do with such books, they would
themselves be far safer, and their example and influence on the
right side would make it far less difficult to guard the youth
from temptation.
We have an abundance of that which is real, that which is
divine. Those who thirst for knowledge need not go to polluted
fountains. The Lord says:
"Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise,
And apply thine heart unto My knowledge....
That thy trust may be in the Lord,
I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
Have not I written to thee excellent things
In counsels and knowledge,
That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of
truth;
That thou mightest answer the words of truth to them
that send unto thee?"
"He established a testimony in Jacob,
And appointed a law in Israel,
Which He commanded our fathers,
That they should make them known to their children;"
"Showing to the generation to come to the praises of the Lord,
And His strength, and His wonderful works that He hath
done."
"That the generation to come might know them,
Even the children which should be born;
Who should arise and declare them to their children:
That they might set their hope in God."
"The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich,
And He addeth no sorrow with it."
Proverbs 22:17-21; Psalm 78:5, 4, 6, 7;
Proverbs 10:22.
Christ's Teaching
So also Christ presented the principles of truth in the
gospel. In His teaching we may drink of the pure streams
that flow from the throne of God. Christ could have imparted
to men knowledge that would have surpassed any previous
disclosures, and put in the background every other discovery.
He could have unlocked mystery after mystery, and could
have concentrated around these wonderful revelations the
active, earnest thought of successive generations till the close
of time. But He would not spare a moment from teaching
the science of salvation. His time, His faculties, and His life
were appreciated and used only as the means for working out
the salvation of the souls of men. He had come to seek and
to save that which was lost, and He would not be turned
from His purpose. He allowed nothing to divert Him.
Christ imparted only that knowledge which could be
utilized. His instruction of the people was confined to the needs
of their own condition in practical life. The curiosity that
led them to come to Him with prying questions, He did not
gratify. All such questionings He made the occasion for
solemn, earnest, vital appeals. To those who were so eager
to pluck from the tree of knowledge, He offered the fruit of
the tree of life. They found every avenue closed except the
way that leads to God. Every fountain was sealed save the
fountain of eternal life.
Our Saviour did not encourage any to attend the rabbinical
schools of His day, for the reason that their minds would
be corrupted with the continually repeated, "They say," or,
"It has been said." Why, then, should we accept the unstable
words of men as exalted wisdom, when a greater, a certain,
wisdom is at our command?
That which I have seen of eternal things, and that which
I have seen of the weakness of humanity, has deeply impressed
my mind and influenced my lifework. I see nothing wherein
man should be praised or glorified. I see no reason why the
opinions of worldly-wise men and so-called great men should
be trusted in and exalted. How can those who are destitute
of divine enlightenment have correct ideas of God's plans
and ways? They either deny Him altogether and ignore His
existence, or they circumscribe His power by their own finite
conceptions.
Let us choose to be taught by Him who created the heavens
and the earth, by Him who set the stars in their order in the
firmament and appointed the sun and the moon to do their
work.
It is right for the youth to feel that they must reach the
highest development of their mental powers. We would not
restrict the education to which God has set no limit. But
our attainments avail nothing if not put to use for the honor
of God and the good of humanity.
It is not well to crowd the mind with studies that require
intense application, but that are not brought into use in
practical life. Such education will be a loss to the student. For
these studies lessen his desire and inclination for the studies
that would fit him for usefulness and enable him to fulfill his
responsibilities. A practical training is worth far more than
any amount of mere theorizing. It is not enough even to have
knowledge. We must have ability to use the knowledge aright.
The time, means, and study that so many expend for a
comparatively useless education should be devoted to gaining
an education that would make them practical men and
women, fitted to bear life's responsibilities. Such an education
would be of the highest value.
What we need is knowledge that will strengthen mind
and soul, that will make us better men and women. Heart
education is of far more importance than mere book learning.
It is well, even essential, to have a knowledge of the world in
which we live; but if we leave eternity out of our reckoning,
we shall make a failure from which we can never recover.
A student may devote all his powers to acquiring knowledge;
but unless he has a knowledge of God, unless he obeys
the laws that govern his own being, he will destroy himself.
By wrong habits, he loses the power of self-appreciation; he
loses self-control. He cannot reason correctly about matters
that concern him most deeply. He is reckless and irrational
in his treatment of mind and body. Through his neglect to
cultivate right principles, he is ruined both for this world and
for the world to come.
If the youth understood their own weakness, they would
find in God their strength. If they seek to be taught by Him
they will become wise in His wisdom, and their lives will be
fruitful of blessing to the world. But if they give up their
minds to mere worldly and speculative study, and thus separate
from God, they will lose all that enriches life.