Chap. 2 - The First of Sciences
A
knowledge of true science is power, and it is the purpose of God that this
knowledge shall be taught in our schools as a preparation for the work that is
to precede the closing scenes of this earth's history. The truth is to be
carried to the remotest bounds of earth, through agents trained for the work.
But while the knowledge of science is power, the knowledge that Jesus came in
person to impart is still greater power. The science of salvation is the most
important science to be learned in the preparatory school of earth. The wisdom
of Solomon is desirable, but the wisdom of Christ is far more desirable and
more essential. We cannot reach Christ through a mere intellectual training;
but through Him we can reach the highest round of the ladder of intellectual
greatness. While the pursuit of knowledge in art, in literature, and in trades
should not be discouraged, the
student
should first secure an experimental knowledge of God and His will. The
opportunity of learning the science of salvation is placed within the reach of
all. By
abiding
in Christ, by doing His will, by exercising simple faith in His word, even
those unlearned in the wisdom of the world may have this knowledge. To the
humble, trusting soul the Lord reveals that all true knowledge leads heavenward.
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Mastering the Science
There
is a science of Christianity to be mastered--a science as much deeper, broader,
higher, than any human science as the heavens are higher than the earth. The
mind is to be disciplined, educated, trained; for men are to do service for God
in ways that are not in harmony with inborn inclination. Often the training and
education of a lifetime must be discarded, that one may become a learner in the
school of Christ. The heart must be educated to become steadfast in God. Old
and young are to form habits of thought that will enable them to resist
temptation. They must learn to look upward. The principles of the word of
God--principles that are as high as heaven and that compass eternity--are to be
understood in their bearing on the daily life. Every act, every word, every
thought, is to be in accord with these principles. No other science is equal to
that which develops in the life of the student the character of God. Those who
become followers of Christ find that new motives of action are supplied, new
thoughts arise, and new actions must result. But they can make advancement only
through conflict; for there is an enemy who ever contends against them,
presenting temptations to cause the soul to doubt and sin. There are hereditary
and cultivated tendencies to evil that must be overcome. Appetite and passion
must be brought under the control of the Holy Spirit. There is no end to the
warfare this side of eternity. But while there are constant battles to fight,
there are also precious victories to gain; and the triumph over self and sin is
of more value than the mind can estimate.
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True Success in Education
True
success in education, as in everything else, is found in keeping the future
life in view. The human family have scarcely begun to live when they begin to
die, and the world's incessant labor ends in nothingness unless a true
knowledge in regard to eternal life is gained. He who appreciates probationary
time as the preparatory school of life will use it to secure to himself a title
to the heavenly mansions, a membership in the higher school. For this school
the youth are to be educated, disciplined, and trained by forming such
characters as God will approve. If students are led to understand that the
object of their creation is to honor God and to bless their fellow men; if they
recognize 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 of becoming the sons of God,-- thousands will turn
from the low and selfish aims and the frivolous pleasures which have hitherto
engrossed them. They will learn to hate sin and to shun it, not merely for hope
of reward or from fear of punishment, but from a sense of its
inherent
baseness--because it is degrading to their God-given powers, a stain upon their
manhood. 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--will not be crushed out. By the
grace of God they will be directed to objects as much
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higher
than mere selfish and temporal interests as the heavens are higher than the
earth. "God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation," the
apostle Paul writes, "through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of
the truth," 2 Thessalonians 2:13. In this text the two agencies in the
work of salvation are revealed--the divine influence, and the strong, living faith
of those who follow Christ. It is through the sanctification of the Spirit and
belief of the truth that we become laborers together with God. Christ waits for
the co-operation of His church. He does not design to add a new element of
efficiency to His word; He has done His great work in giving His inspiration to
the word. The blood of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the divine word, are
ours. The object of all this provision of heaven is before us-- the salvation
of the souls for whom Christ died; and it depends upon us to lay hold on the
promises God has given, and become laborers together with Him. Divine and human
agencies must co-operate in the work. "Everyone that is of the
truth," Christ declared, "heareth My voice." John 18:37. Having
stood in the counsels of God, having dwelt in the everlasting heights of the
sanctuary, all elements of
truth
were in Him and of Him. He was one with God. It means more than finite minds
can comprehend to present in every missionary effort Christ and Him crucified.
"He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are
healed." Isaiah 53:5. "He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no
sin; that we might be made
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the
righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21. Christ crucified for our
sins; Christ risen from the dead; Christ ascended on high as our
intercessor-this is the science of salvation that we need to learn and to
teach. This is to be the burden of our work.
The
cross of Christ--teach it to every student over and over again. How many
believe it to be what it is? How many bring it into their studies and know its
true significance? Could there be a Christian in our world without the cross of
Christ? Then keep the cross upheld in your school as the foundation of true
education. The cross of Christ is just as near our teachers, and should be as
perfectly understood by them, as it was by Paul, who could say, "God
forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom
the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Galatians 6:14.
Let
teachers, from the highest to the lowest, seek to understand what it means to
glory in the cross of Christ. Then by precept and example they can teach their
students the blessings it brings to those who bear it manfully and bravely. The
Saviour declares, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow Me." Matthew 16:24. And to all who lift
it
and bear it after Christ, the cross is a pledge of the crown of immortality
that they will receive. Educators who will not work in this line are not worthy
of the name they bear. Teachers, turn from the example of the world, cease to
extol professedly great men; turn the minds of your students from the glory of
everything save the cross of Christ. The crucified Messiah
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is
the central point of all Christianity. The most essential lessons for teachers
and students to learn are those which point, not to the world, but from the
world to the cross of Calvary.
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Godliness--Godlikeness--is
the goal to be reached. Before the student there is opened a path of continual
progress. He has an object to achieve, a standard to attain, that includes
everything good, and pure, and noble. He will advance as fast and as far as
possible in every branch of true knowledge. But his efforts will be directed to
objects as much higher than mere selfish and temporal interests as the heavens
are higher than the earth. He who co-operates with the divine purpose in
imparting to the youth a knowledge of God, and molding the character into
harmony with His, does a high and noble work. As he awakens a desire to reach
God's ideal, he presents an education that is as high as heaven and as broad as
the universe; an education that cannot be completed in this life, but that will
be continued in the life to come; an education that secures to the successful
student his passport from the preparatory school of earth to the higher grade,
the school above.--Education, pages 18, 19.
REFERENCE
counsels
to parents ,teacher’s and student,1913,By Ellen G white
CT -
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students (1913)
CT -
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students (1913)
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