The Story of Patriarchs and Prophets
by Ellen G. White
Chapter 58: The Schools of the Prophets
< Prev T. of C.
... 53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
... Next >
Part: A
B
C
The impress of Deity, manifest in the pages of revelation, is
seen upon the lofty mountains, the fruitful valleys, the broad,
deep ocean. The things of nature speak to man of his Creator's [p. 600] love. He has linked us to Himself by unnumbered tokens in
heaven and in earth. This world is not all sorrow and misery.
"God is love," is written upon every opening bud, upon the
petals of every flower, and upon every spire of grass. Though
the curse of sin has caused the earth to bring forth thorns and
thistles, there are flowers upon the thistles and the thorns are
hidden by roses. All things in nature testify to the tender,
fatherly care of our God and to His desire to make His children
happy. His prohibitions and injunctions are not intended merely
to display His authority, but in all that He does He has the well-being
of His children in view. He does not require them to give
up anything that it would be for their best interest to retain.
The opinion which prevails in some classes of society, that
religion is not conductive to health or to happiness in this life, is
one of the most mischievous of errors. The Scripture says: "The
fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide
satisfied." Proverbs 19:23. "What man is he that desireth life,
and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue
from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil,
and do good; seek peace, and pursue it." Psalm 34:12-14. The
words of wisdom "are life unto those that find them, and health
to all their flesh." Proverbs 4:22.
True religion brings man into harmony with the laws of God,
physical, mental, and moral. It teaches self-control, serenity,
temperance. Religion ennobles the mind, refines the taste, and
sanctifies the judgment. It makes the soul a partaker of the purity of
heaven. Faith in God's love and overruling providence lightens
the burdens of anxiety and care. It fills the heart with joy and
contentment in the highest or the lowliest lot. Religion tends
directly to promote health, to lengthen life, and to heighten our
enjoyment of all its blessings. It opens to the soul a never-failing
fountain of happiness. Would that all who have not chosen
Christ might realize that He has something vastly better to offer
them that they are seeking for themselves. Man is doing the
greatest injury and injustice to his own soul when he thinks and
acts contrary to the will of God. No real joy can be found in the
path forbidden by Him who knows what is best, and who plans
for the good of His creatures. The path of transgression leads to
misery and destruction; but wisdom's "ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace." Proverbs 3:17. [p. 601]
The physical as well as the religious training practiced in the
schools of the Hebrews may be profitably studied. The worth of
such training is not appreciated. There is an intimate relation
between the mind and the body, and in order to reach a high
standard of moral and intellectual attainment the laws that
control our physical being must be heeded. To secure a strong,
well-balanced character, both the mental and the physical powers
must be exercised and developed. What study can be more important
for the young than that which treats of this wonderful
organism that God has committed to us, and of the laws by which
it may be preserved in health?
And now, as in the days of Israel, every youth should be
instructed in the duties of practical life. Each should acquire a
knowledge of some branch of manual labor by which, if need
be, he may obtain a livelihood. This is essential, not only as a
safeguard against the vicissitudes of life, but from its bearing
upon physical, mental, and moral development. Even if it were
certain that one would never need to resort to manual labor
for his support, still he should be taught to work. Without physical
exercise, no one can have a sound constitution and vigorous
health; and the discipline of well-regulated labor is no less essential
to the securing of a strong and active mind and a noble
character.
Every student should devote a portion of each day to active
labor. Thus habits of industry would be formed and a spirit
of self-reliance encouraged, while the youth would be shielded
from many evil and degrading practices that are so often the result
of idleness. And this is all in keeping with the primary
object of education, for in encouraging activity, diligence, and
purity we are coming into harmony with the Creator.
Let the youth be led to understand the object of their creation,
to honor God and bless their fellow men; let them see the tender
love which the Father in heaven has manifested toward them,
and the high destiny for which the discipline of this life is to
prepare them, the dignity and honor to which they are called,
even to become the sons of God, and thousands would turn with
contempt and loathing from the low and selfish aims and the
frivolous pleasures that have hitherto engrossed them. They
would learn to hate sin and to shun it, not merely from hope
of reward or fear of punishment, but from a sense of its inherent [p. 602] baseness, because it would be a degrading of their God-given
powers, a stain upon their Godlike manhood.
God does not bid the youth to be less aspiring. The elements
of character that make a man successful and honored among
men—the irrepressible desire for some greater good, the
indomitable will, the strenuous exertion, the untiring perseverance—are
not to be crushed out. By the grace of God they are to
be directed to objects as much higher than mere selfish and temporal
interests as the heavens are higher than the earth. And the
education begun in this life will be continued in the life to come.
Day by day the wonderful works of God, the evidences of His
wisdom and power in creating and sustaining the universe, the
infinite mystery of love and wisdom in the plan of redemption,
will open to the mind in new beauty. "Eye hath not seen, nor
ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that love Him." 1 Corinthians
2:9. Even in this life we may catch glimpses of His presence and
may taste the joy of communion with Heaven, but the fullness
of its joy and blessing will be reached in the hereafter. Eternity
alone can reveal the glorious destiny to which man, restored to
God's image, may attain.
Part: A
B
C
< Prev T. of C.
... 53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
... Next >
|