Education for the Word by J. L. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Aug 21, 1913

Education for the Word

By J. L. S.

THERE is a growing conviction among our leading men that a much larger number of our young people should remain longer in school and take college courses. Heads of colleges and men of wide experience realize it keenly. Men of large spiritual and intellectual efficiency are needed in all branches of the work at home and in the mission fields. While all cannot take college courses, yet many young men and women, willing and ready to overcome obstacles and work hard for an education, can finish such a course before they are old enough to accomplish very much in field work in the cause. Where there is a will, there is a way. Such an education would lay a broad foundation for the work of life.

Parents, ministers, and teachers can do much in encouraging young people to make more thorough preparation for the Lord's work. We owe it to them. Early manhood and womanhood come but once in life. The earnest study, application, and training of those years very largely measure the possibilities of life. The following extracts from the spirit of prophecy bear directly on preparation for the work.

Well-Educated Men Desired

"A life devoted to God should not be a life of ignorance. Many speak against education because Jesus chose uneducated fishermen to preach the gospel. They assert that he showed preference for the uneducated. But there were many learned and honorable men who believed the teaching of Christ. Had these fearlessly obeyed the convictions of their consciences, they would have followed him. Their abilities would have been accepted, and employed in the service of Christ, had they offered them. But they had not moral power, in face of the frowning priests and jealous rulers, to confess Christ, and venture their

reputation in connection with the humble Galilean.

"He who knows the hearts of all, understood this. If the educated and noble would not do the work they were qualified to do, Christ would select men who would be obedient and faithful in doing his will. He chose humble men and connected them with himself, that he might educate them to carry forward the great work on earth when he should leave it."—"Counsels to Teachers," page 511.

Possibilities of the Youth

"God will accept the youth with their talent and their wealth of affection, if they will consecrate themselves to him. They may reach to the highest point of intellectual greatness; and if balanced by religious principle, they can carry forward the work which Christ came from heaven to accomplish.

"The students at our colleges have valuable privileges, not only of obtaining a knowledge of the sciences, but also of learning how to cultivate and practise virtues which will give them symmetrical characters. They are God's responsible moral agents. The talents of wealth, station, and intellect are given of God in trust to man for his wise improvement. These varied trusts he has distributed proportionately to the known powers and capacities of his servants, to every man his work."—Id., page 512.

Perseverance in Gaining Knowledge

"Perseverance in the acquisition of knowledge, controlled by the fear and love of God, will give the youth increased power for good in this life; and those who make the most of their opportunities to reach high attainments, will take these attainments with them into the future life. They have sought and obtained that which is imperishable. The ability to appreciate the glories that "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard" (1 Cor. 2:9), will be proportionate to the attainments reached."—Id., page 513.

Setting a High Standard

"What is worth doing at all, is worth doing well. While religion should be the prevailing element in every school, it will not lead to a cheapening of the literary attainments. It will make all true Christians feel their need of thorough knowledge, that they may make the best use of the faculties bestowed upon them. While growing in grace and in a knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, they will seek constantly to put to the stretch their powers of mind, that they may become intelligent Christians. . . .

"To meet the highest standard possible, we need to be persevering and determined. In many cases established habits and ideas must be overcome before we can make advancement in the religious life. . . . The essential work is to conform the tastes, the appetites, the passions, the motives, the desires, to the great standard of righteousness. The work must begin in the heart. Unless the heart is wholly conformed to Christ's will, some master passion or some habit or defect will become a power to destroy."—Id., pages 504, 505.

We are nearing the time when our schools will open. September will soon be here. Ministers, teachers, and parents have a duty to perform. Many young people are halting, and hardly know whether they should attend school the coming year. Some are canvassing, others are engaged in other lines of work, and there is much encouragement to remain at their work. It may be fathers and mothers do not know how to advise. Remember this, however, time flies. Early manhood comes only once. It is the time to lay the foundation for life's work. As the young make God their counselor, surrender wholly to him, and fully determine at all costs faithfully to prepare for his service, he will guide them. It is God's will that the coming year in our schools should be the best, the most thorough, successful, and spiritual of any in their history.