p. 61 | J. O. CORLISS by J. O. CORLISS

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 26, 1875

J. O. CORLISS

By J. O. CORLISS

Education.

The influence of education upon the mind is so great that it often forms the motive power of the individual. Especially is this the case where the mind has been trained while young to dwell upon particular themes, for the reason that early impressions are generally indelible. This has been so forcibly demonstrated in the past that it has originated the trite adage:— “'Tis education forms the common mind, / Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined.” On account of the truthfulness of this adage, every opportunity is seized upon by tutors to instil into the mind of the child those peculiar sentiments which they wish to see developed in the world, and which they know cannot be so successfully planted in any other way.

The above is well illustrated by the following dialogue reported to have taken place on the streets of Cincinnati, between Archbishop Purcell and the Rev. John White, P. E. “Good day, Mr. White, which way are you traveling?” “I am going to the west part of the city to distribute these Testaments [exhibiting some] among the children, to prevent you from making Catholics of them. But where are you going?” “Oh, I am going to the north part of the city to scatter these tracts [pointing to a bundle under his arm] and keep you from making Protestants of the children.” Then after a moment's pause he added: “I will compromise the matter with you, Mr. White; if you will give me all the children in the city under ten years of age, you may have the rest.” He knew well that by that time their minds would become so established as to almost preclude the possibility of a change.

Skeptical authors are suffered to furnish the schools of the land with their scientific productions (falsely so called), in which everything is explained (?) on natural principles, many times in a manner which directly conflicts with the word of God, and the children are drilled in the principles of these books until their minds are drawn away from the simplicity of the Bible, and the principles inculcated by it, and they find themselves at a more mature age enveloped in the almost Cimmerian darkness of infidelity. It is to be regretted not a little that so many of the young at the present time are suffered to grow up under influences so pernicious as to corrupt those pure principles given of God, which might be developed into high and noble qualities, making them a counterpart of their divine Master. Truly, the power of the adversary is great, and in every conceivable way does he plot the destruction of the human family.

As we are responsible to God for the right development of our children, how necessary that every precaution be taken to guard against the incursions of the enemy, and how careful should we be, that their education be not made up of those dogmas which tend to irreverence for the truths of the Bible. In order to insure a right education, a lively interest should be taken in all their studies, that errors in teaching may be detected and promptly counteracted; or if the cares of life prevent this, let us place them, at any cost, under the tuition of those in whose integrity we have confidence, where we know they will be taught the fear of the Lord, and where the surrounding influences will be healthful, and conducive to their spiritual welfare. Under such discipline they may develop characters that will make them an honor to their parents, an ornament to society and the cause of truth, and finally they may be found worthy of a place in the kingdom of God.