The Value of our School Work

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We have erected institutions of learning in different lands, because it was not safe to intrust our youth to the influence of irreligious teachers, or even to those who would inculcate doctrinal errors. The necessity of instruction in the Bible, as well as in secular branches of learning, is apparent, and it is also essential that our youth have the benefits of manual training. In order to develop symmetrical characters, it is not only necessary to have thorough intellectual culture, but also a training of the physical powers.

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There is a great work to be done for our youth, and for this reason we would urge them to take every advantage whereby they may be educated. We would invite them to attend our school, that they may come under the influence of intelligent, God-fearing teachers. Teachers in our schools should be persons of elevated character; for the tastes of those who attend school must be refined, their imaginations must become pure and elevated. Their aspirations must be purified through the power of Christ. If they yield themselves to his control, they will be fitted for positions of responsibility. They must be influenced to form correct habits; for every soul redeemed by the blood of Christ has an exalted destiny to fulfil. No one liveth to himself; all exert an influence for good or evil and in view of this the apostle enjoins young men to be «sober minded.» How can they be otherwise when they consider the fact that they are to be co-workers with Christ, partakers with Him of his self-denial, self sacrifice, his forbearance and gracious benevolence?

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The apostle says, «I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.» God has chosen young men to be his agents in the work of advancing and upbuilding his cause. They are not to be seekers after amusement; they are not to live for selfish gratification, but for the salvation of souls. They are to be sober minded. In their God-given manhood, they are to rise above every enslaving, debasing habit, and cultivate their minds so that they may appreciate their high calling, and ponder well the paths of their feet. They are to study their Bibles carefully and prayerfully, to look for the waymarks, and inquire diligently whither their path is leading,-heavenward or to perdition.

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How important it is that youth begin active life aright. A little diversion from the path of right at the beginning, will lead farther and farther away from the way of truth and happiness. One careless step will place you upon the enemy’s ground, and through yielding to temptation, your intellectual and moral energies will be benumbed and paralyzed.

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It is to fortify the youth against the temptations of the enemy that we have established schools where they may be qualified for usefulness in this life, and for the service of God. Those who have an eye single to God’s glory, will earnestly desire to fit themselves for special service; for the love of Christ will have a controlling influence upon them. The love of God imparts more than finite energy, and qualifies for divine achievements. The work of those who love God will make manifest the character of their motives: for the salvation of those for whom Christ has paid an infinite price, will be the object of their effort. All other considerations,-home family, social enjoyment, will be secondary to the work of God; for they will follow the example of Christ. Christ showed his love for fallen man in leaving the heaven of bliss, the love and honor of the angels, to come to the world to meet man in his fallen condition. He worked to reform men, to fit them for a pure and holy heaven. He stopped at no sacrifice; He hesitated not at any self-denial, but for our sakes became poor that we through his poverty might be made rich. Jesus did not refuse to work among a rough, uncultured, depraved class. His sympathy for fallen man led Him to seek for the lost wherever they were, and to adapt his method of working to meet the wants of those for whom He labored. Workers for God must work as Christ worked, hesitating not to seek for the lost, though they are immersed in darkness, sunken in vice, and stained with sin. They must understand the conditions of those for whom they work, if they would obtain the victory. He who would be an efficient co-worker with Christ, must be willing to endure what He endured, to meet men as He met them, lifting them up from where they are.

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Teachers in our schools will have to work as Christ worked, manifesting love and forbearance. Students will come to the school who have no definite purpose, no fixed principles. They will have no realization of the claims of God upon them; but they are to be inspired with courage, to be awakened to their responsibilities, that they may have high aims, and desire to improve their talent and increase their knowledge. They must be taught to appreciate their opportunities, that they may thirst for knowledge, and become examples in industry, sobriety, and punctuality.

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God would have his workers aim at nothing less than perfection, and strive earnestly for its attainment. Those who go out to the world as teachers of Bible truth, should be cultured in mind and refined in manners. The people have a right to expect that the Christian teacher will meet a high standard, and they will pass severe judgment upon him if he does not. He should have such a character that he will command the respect of all, and it is for the purpose of qualifying workers for this exalted calling that our institutions of learning have been established.

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In order that the students may be thus qualified for the work of God, the teachers must cultivate good manners and refined speech. But little is gained by devoting all the time to the study of books, if the manners and voice are neglected. Teachers should impress upon the students the importance of self-culture, that the students may overcome all improper habits of manner or utterance. There are youth who are intelligent, and yet who hinder their own success by failing to cultivate clear, distinct utterance. There is great pathos and music in the human voice, and if the youth will make determined efforts to cultivate this power for Christ, they may become efficient in winning souls to Him. In offering yourself to God, you should seek to be as perfect as possible through the merits of Christ. You should seek to overcome all uncouthness in gesture, attitude, or utterance. The student must be impressed that by combining divine grace with his human effort, he may make himself a man. Through the cultivation of his mental and physical abilities, through faith in Christ, he may become a power in benefiting his fellow-men.

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In view of what the youth may become, teachers should feel a deep interest in their students, working for their training and discipline in order that they may go forth from the school with higher, holier motives, with nobler principles than when they entered it. Teachers should feel an interest that their pupils may become efficient in their knowledge of the sciences, that their intellect should expand and strengthen, and that they should grow in grace and a knowledge of the truth. While cultivating the mind, the student should also be led to cultivate uprightness of heart, loyalty to God, that he may possess a character like that which Joseph possessed. Then they will scorn the thought of yielding to temptation, fearing to sully their purity. Like Daniel, they will resolve to be true to principle, to make the very best use of the intellect with which God has endowed them. Under the influence of genuine religion, the intellect expands, the thought broadens. No one can be connected with the God of wisdom and not develop in mind. Through faith in Christ we become endowed with power to lead other souls heavenward.

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The greatest work the teacher can do is to influence those who are under his care to become Christians. Then the cultivation of the mental powers will not hinder the harmonious development of the moral powers. Divine grace will give clearness and force to the understanding and he who has a virtuous character will become a bright light in the world. He will represent Christ in a well-ordered life and Godly conversation. He will adorn the doctrine of Christ. The principles of truth will be inwrought in the lives of those who are genuine followers of Christ, and bright beams of light will shine forth from them to the world. The righteousness of Christ will go before them, and the glory of the Lord will be their rearward. The Lord has said that He will honor those who honor Him, and God’s word will be fulfilled. Not a jot or tittle of it will fail. If we are faithful disciples of Christ, many will stand before the throne of God wearing the white linen which is the righteousness of the saints, who will be there as a result of our faithful example, our earnest effort for the Master.