seek to imitate the Pattern.
There have been many things displeasing to God in the young men and
young women who have acted as teachers at our college. You have been
so absorbed in yourselves, and so devoid of spirituality, that you could
not lead the youth to holiness and heaven. Many have returned to their
homes more decided in their impenitence because of your lack of love for
God and Christ. Walking without the spirit of Jesus, you have encouraged
irreligion, lightness, and unkindness in that you have indulged these evils
yourselves. The result of this course you do not realize—souls are lost
that might have been saved.
Many have strong feelings against Brother—–. They accuse him of
unkindness, harshness, and severity. But some of the very ones who
would condemn him are no less guilty themselves. He that is without sin
among you, let him first cast a stone.” Brother—–has not always moved
wisely, and he has been hard to convince where he has not taken the best
course. He has not been as willing to receive counsel, and to modify
his methods of instruction and his manner of dealing with his students,
as he should have been. But those who would condemn him because of
his defects could in their turn be justly condemned. Every man has his
peculiar defects of character. One may be free from the weakness which
he sees in his brother, yet he may at the same time have faults which are
far more grievous in the sight of God.
This unfeeling criticism of one another is wholly satanic. I was shown
Brother—–deserves respect for the good which he has done. Let him be
dealt with tenderly. He has
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performed the labor which three men should have shared. Let those
who are so eagerly searching for his faults recount what they have done
in comparison with him. He toiled when others were seeking rest and
pleasure. He is worn; God would have him lay off some of these extra
burdens for a while. He has so many things to divide his time and attention
he can do justice to none.
Brother—–should not permit his combative spirit to be aroused and
lead him to self-justification. He has given occasion for dissatisfaction.
The Lord has presented this before him in testimony.
Students should not be encouraged in their faultfinding. This
complaining spirit will increase as it is encouraged, and students will
feel at liberty to criticize the teachers who do not meet their liking, and
a spirit of dissatisfaction and strife will rapidly increase. This must be
frowned down until it shall become extinct. Shall this evil be corrected?
Will teachers put away their desire for the supremacy? Will they labor in
humility, in love, and harmony? Time will tell.
*****
Chap. 4 - Parental Training
I have been shown that very many of the parents who profess to believe
the solemn message for this time have not trained their children for God.
They have not restrained themselves and have been irritated with anyone
who attempted to restrain them. They have not by living faith daily
bound their children upon the altar of the Lord. Many of these youth
have been allowed to transgress the fourth commandment by seeking their
own pleasure upon God’s holy day. They have felt no compunctions
of conscience in going about the streets on the Sabbath for their own
amusement. Many go where they please and do what they please, and
their
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parents are so fearful of displeasing them that, imitating the management
of Eli, they lay no commands upon them.
These youth finally lose all respect for the Sabbath and have no relish
for religious meetings or for sacred and eternal things. If their parents
mildly remonstrate with them, they shield themselves by telling of the
faults of some of the church members. In place of silencing the first
approach to anything of the kind, the parents think just as their children
think; if this one or that one were perfect, their children would be right.
Instead of this they should teach them that the sins of others are no excuse
for them. Christ is the only true pattern. The wrongs of many would
not excuse one wrong in them or lessen in the least their guilt. God has
given them one standard, perfect, noble, elevated. This they must meet,
irrespective of the course which others may pursue. But many parents
seem to lose reason and judgment in their fondness for their children, and,
through these indulged, selfish, mismanaged youth, Satan in turn works
effectually to ruin the parents. I was referred to the wrath of God which
came upon the incredulous and disobedient of ancient Israel. Their duty
to instruct their children was plainly enjoined upon them. It is just as
binding upon believing parents in this generation. Give ear, O My people,
to My law: incline your ears to the words of My mouth. I will open My
mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: which we have heard
and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their
children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and
His strength, and His wonderful works that He hath done.”
Children are what their parents make them by their instruction,
discipline, and example. Hence the overwhelming importance of parental
faithfulness in training the young for the service of God. Children should
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early be taught the sacredness of religious obligations. This is a most
important
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part of their education. Our duty to God should be performed