to be working for Christ, yet occasionally go over to the side of Satan and
do his work. Can the Saviour pronounce these good and faithful servants?
Are they as watchmen giving the trumpet a certain sound?
Every man will at the judgment receive according to the deeds done
in the body, whether they be good or evil. Our Saviour bids us: “Watch ye
and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” If we encounter difficulties, and
in Christ’s strength overcome them; if we meet enemies, and in Christ’s
strength put them to flight; if we accept responsibilities, and in Christ’s
strength discharge them faithfully, we are gaining a precious experience.
We learn, as we could not otherwise have learned, that our Saviour is a
present help in every time of need.
There is a great work to be done in our college, a work which demands
the co-operation of every teacher; and it is displeasing to God for one
to discourage another. But nearly all seem to forget that Satan is an
accuser of the brethren, and they unite with the enemy in his work. While
professed Christians are contending, Satan is laying his snares for the
inexperienced feet of children and youth. Those who have had a religious
experience should seek to shield the young from his devices. They should
never forget that they themselves were once enchanted with the pleasures
of sin. We need the mercy and forbearance of God every hour, and how
unbecoming for us to be impatient with the errors of the inexperienced
youth. So long as God bears with them, dare we, fellow sinners, cast
them off?
We should ever look upon the youth as the purchase of the blood of
Christ. As such they have demands upon our love, our patience, and
our sympathy. If we would follow Jesus we cannot restrict our interest
and affection to ourselves and our own families; we cannot give our time
and attention to temporal matters and forget the eternal interests of those
around us. I have been shown that it is the result of our own
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selfishness that there are not one hundred young men where now there is
one engaged in earnest labor for the salvation of their fellow men. “Love
one another, as I have loved you,” is the command of Jesus. Look at His
self-denial; behold the manner of love He has bestowed upon us; and then
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
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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
