Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Ms 41b, 1896

True Education

“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

December 20, 1896 [typed May 24, 1897]

Variant of Ms 41a, 1896. Portions of this manuscript are published in 6MR 136-137.

In the night season some things were opened before me in reference to the work and the school that will soon be opened in this locality. The light given me was that we must not pattern after the similitude of any school that has been established in the past. We must study the Word of God critically as the great lesson book, in order to know what the school may become under the receiving and doing of the Word of God. Unless we are guarded, we shall experience those hindrances to the spiritual education that have retarded the work of our schools in America by misapplication and miscalculation of the work most essential. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 1

When Christ was working in our world, He had but few followers, and those whom He called His disciples were, by the maxims and customs of the scribes and Pharisees, constantly kept back from the advancement they might have made in supplying their great want and becoming efficient in usefulness. Through the rabbis, customs had come down from generation to generation, and these were made all-essential, even of more force than the Ten Commandments. These precepts of men were taught and dwelt upon as of more value than a “Thus saith the Lord.” 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 2

I have been warned not travel over the ground that many of the Battle Creek teachers have gone over in their experience. The amusement question, which was brought in there under a deceptive garb. Satan approached as an angel of light, and he worked most actively. If he could obtain the sanction of the teachers of the school at the great heart of the work, every school established would follow in its tread. The leaven of evil introduced and sanctioned at Battle Creek would spread the properties introduced to all with whom it had any connection. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 3

The Lord has thought it essential to give reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness on many things in regard to the management of schools among Seventh-Day Adventists. All the light that has been given must be carefully heeded. No man or woman should be connected with our schools as educator who has not had an experience in obeying the Word of the Lord. That which the Lord has spoken in the instruction given to our schools is to be strictly regarded, for if there is not in some respects an education of altogether a different character in our schools than had been carried on in Battle Creek, then we need not go to the expense of purchasing lands and erecting school buildings. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 4

In every school Satan has tried to make himself the guide of the teachers who instruct the students. It is he who has introduced the idea that amusements are a necessity. Students sent to school for the purpose of receiving an education to become evangelists, ministers, and missionaries to foreign countries have received the idea that amusements are essential to keep them in physical health, when the Lord has presented before them that the better way is to embrace in their education manual labor in the place of amusements. This latter will soon become a passion that gives disrelish to useful, healthful exercise of mind and body, and which makes them useful to themselves and others. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 5

This education, in felling trees, tilling the soil, as well as in literature, is the education our youth should seek to obtain. Farther on, a printing press should be connected with our school, in order to educate in this line. Tent making also should be taken hold of. Buildings should be erected, and masonry should be learned. There are also many things which the lady students may engage in. There is cooking, dressmaking, and gardening to be done. Strawberries should be planted, plants and flowers cultivated, and this the lady students may be called out of doors to do. Thus they may be educated to useful labor. Bookbinding also, and a variety of trades should be taken up. These will not only be putting into exercise brain, bone, and muscle, but will also be gaining knowledge. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 6

The greatest curse of our world is idleness. It leads to amusements merely to please and gratify self. The students have had a superabundance of this way of passing their time. Now they are to be prepared to go forth from the school with an all-round education. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 7

The proper cooking of food is a most essential acquirement, especially where meat is not made the staple article of diet. Something must be prepared to take the place of meat, and these foods must be well prepared, so that meat will not be desired. Culture on all points of practical life will make out youth useful after they shall leave the school to go to foreign countries. They will not then have to depend upon the people to whom they go to cook and sew for them, or build their habitations. And they will be much more influential if they show that they can educate the ignorant how to labor with the best methods, and to produce the best results. This will be appreciated where means are difficult to obtain. They will reveal that missionaries can become educators in teaching them how to labor. A much smaller fund will be required to sustain such missionaries, because they have put to the very best use their physical powers in useful, practical labor combined with their studies. And wherever they may go, all that they have gained in this line will give them standing room. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 8

It is also essential to understand the philosophy of medical missionary work. Wherever the students shall go, they need an education in the science of how to treat the sick, for this will give them a welcome in any place, because there is suffering of every kind in every part of the world. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 9

Education, true education means much. The time devoted in the school education in learning how to eat with your fork in the place of your knife is not the most essential. These little matters of form and ceremony should not occupy time and strength. Those students who at first are somewhat course and awkward will soon overcome this. If the teachers are courteous, kind, and attentive; if they are true in heart and soul to do their work as in the sight of the whole universe of heaven, if they have the mind of Christ and are molded and fashioned by the Holy Spirit, they will behave, not in simpering affectation, but as ladies and gentlemen. And if they have the teacher’s example of propriety, the students will day by day be educated by their proper manners. Teach Bible manners; teach purity of thought and strictest integrity; this is the most valuable instruction that can be given. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 10

As teachers, let all keep Jesus, the Pattern, ever before them in your own actions, and this will act a prominent part as co-workers with Jesus in restoring the moral image of God in those in your charge. You have no time to teach them the forms and ceremonies of this age of corruption, when everything is perverted to outward appearance and display. This must never find a place in our school. This kind of reform is not to be brought in as essential. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 11

All religious exercises are to be treated with the greatest solemnity and reverence. The teaching should be of a higher class, of a more sacred, religious order, than has been in schools in general. Human nature is worth working upon, and it is to be elevated, refined, sanctified, and fitted with the inward adorning which is in the sight of God of great price. Through the grace of God in Jesus Christ, which bringeth salvation and immortality and eternal life to light, His heritage may be educated, not in the minuteness of etiquette, but in the science of salvation and godliness. This will prepare the sons and daughters of God to be transformed by the finishing touch of immortality, and to carry forward more thoroughly in heaven the education begun in the schools here below. We shall be learners through all eternity. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 12

Every student should aspire to obtain a fitness by the inward adorning of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price. Therefore he should in this life make diligent use of every opportunity and privilege to obtain all the knowledge possible for a qualification for that higher life in the future world. God requires of every youth the full development and cultivation of all his powers. Every faculty of mind, soul, and body, is to be taxed to the highest to understand the Word of God, and have a correct knowledge of the people and their manners, who shall receive the “Well done” from the lips of the Master. [Matthew 25:21.] 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 13

The teachers are to educate the youth that if they receive Christ and believe on Him, they will be brought into close relationship with God. He gives them power to become the sons of God, to associate with the highest dignitaries in the kingdom of heaven, to unite with Gabriel, the cherubims and seraphims, with angels and the archangel. “And he showed me a pure river of water of life clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded his fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him. And they shall see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle; neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign forever and ever.” [Revelation 22:1-5.] 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 14

I have many things to say unto you, Brother Herbert Lacey. The Lord has been my counsellor, and He has given me words for you. You are not prepared to be placed at the head of the work in the school. You have need to be a constant learner. If you are a teacher, many things will have to be unlearned, and many things learned of a different order. If this is not so, you will encourage the very things the Lord has been seeking to correct in the school at Battle Creek. You will introduce methods and plans that are not inspired of God, and that will be misleading. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 15

When any idea has been cherished by you, it is very hard matter for you to part with it. But these are things that you may and will have to learn in the school of experience. Make yourself thoroughly familiar with the Word of God. If you do not do this, projects and aims will imprint themselves on your mind that should not be entertained, for it is not the way of the Lord. In all honesty you will come to conclusions which will need to be sifted. It is essential to your spiritual clearness of eyesight to have a more elevated direction. The common customs and practices of school life in some things cannot be brought in the school at Cooranbong. Your thoughts and ideas will change by experience if you earnestly and humbly inquire at each step, “Is this the way of the Lord?” 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 16

The word was given me in regard to you: “You cannot trust the guiding and managing of a vessel of boys who have not served in that line; neither can you trust the molding of minds and characters with youth who have not years of experience to understand the workings of God. It will take older heads, those who have had larger experience, to devise and plan for the youth to obtain an all-sided character. Let not the work pass into the hands and be managed by those who have but little experience. The word was given me for you, Brother Herbert Lacey, that yourself and wife have yet to obtain a different kind of experience. The word was spoken, Keep your hands off the machinery. You will make mistakes if you now attempt to run a school. It is not left for you to plan and devise, but, learn all you possibly can. Let your souls be transformed by the grace of Christ Jesus, and your minds absorbed in meditating and studying the glorious truths concerning the life of the great Teacher. The Word of God is to be your food. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 17

Follow Christ to the very letter, and then you will find that the elevated standard of virtue and holiness is placed before you in the gospel. Unless this is the case, you cannot as teachers do the work that is essential to be done to prepare the souls of those who shall come to the school to be transformed to the higher grade. There is with you both ideas and plans which you think essential that must not be brought in with pen or with voice. There are many imaginings and schemes and ambitions that you may suppose essential that should have no standing room, for we do not want that these ideas be brought in before the students, that they may be molded according to their likes and dislikes. Let every teacher sow the precious seed of truth in their minds. Your work should be more after the order of the teaching of Jesus Christ. He is the standard Teacher. Then let us not exalt as all-essential that which we have no record of Him teaching. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 18

Our Saviour in His teaching did not encourage any to attend the rabbinical schools of His day, for the reason that their minds would be corrupted with the continually repeated, “They say,” or “It hath been said.” The Lord can do more with minds that have no connection with schools where infidel authors are perused. These lesson books He reaches out His hand to remove, and in their stead to place the Old and New Testament Scriptures. Those who will search the Scriptures for themselves, because it is the Word of God, who are willing to dig for truth as for hidden treasures, will receive for their prize that wisdom which cometh alone from God. If they will not rely upon their own smartness, nor trust in their own inventions and fruitful mind; if they will give the working of that mind into the Lord’s hands, and yoke up with Jesus Christ, they will not take steps where Jesus does not lead the way. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 19

The aim of life should be to obey the call of Christ, “Follow me.” Those whose minds are kept pure and uncrowded with too many small items, who will let their mind give its strength to those things that will be received not from their standpoint, but from the light that God has given, will be continually gaining in knowledge that will direct in straightforward channels. By their aftersight they will be able to give thanks to God that they have studiously chosen to know and understand what saith the Lord to His servant. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 20

The Word of God is to be studied and taught. Then the yearning desire for higher attainments in the divine life with grow. Converse with God through the medium of His Word, and transformation of character of our own ideas, and of habits, which now you deem all essential, will take their place. God’s Word is to be our lesson book. It is through the medium of His Word that we are to learn all about that better country, and the preparation essential for every one to obtain an entrance into the kingdom of God. That Word will ennoble your whole being. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 21

You need to understand the life of Jesus Christ. He was the perfect image of God. He came to our world, the great Teacher, and He will educate all who will be educated. Whoever longs for honor and distinction will find that the standard of virtue and holiness, strictly, steadfastly adhered to, will place him as a wise man among the most noble advisers and counsellors; for God’s Word will elevate a man. His Word, if obeyed, will sanctify and refine and ennoble the entire man. There will be no cheap timbers brought into the structure of character building. The natural, inherited tendencies, if erratic, will be corrected by the Word, and not be cherished and imitated by learners [who] in turn educate others, thus transmitting and perpetuating faulty sentiments that should never see the light of day. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 22

We are to be impelled by pure, disinterested motives, having no prejudices or preferences to strengthen, no set notions or ideas that Christ has never taught. You are to be very cautious how you move. Do not start out on your independent judgment, but consider, Here are those who have been working this ground, who have carried the burden. They have had much perplexity over two years, and it will be best for me to consult with them, and know just how to co-operate with them. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 23

I have been directed to Brother and Sister Haskell as experienced servants of God, who will be efficient workers as helpers and counsellors. They both have had experience in managing the interests of the cause of God. Sister Haskell has been a school teacher for many years, and it will be a great blessing to the school to have the help and benefit of her all around experience. I value their capabilities of entering into the work. They are a God-sent help in this time of necessity. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 24

We are nearing the end of time, and it is most essential that we walk humbly with God. We cannot fit up the building with carpets or enter into any preparation that requires an outlay of means, for we have none. I have been constantly handing out means, investing thousands of dollars to keep the work moving; but I know that we must heed the instruction given us in Melbourne to study economy in every line. Christ said of the scribes and Pharisees: “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.” [Matthew 22:29.] These both let us learn in the school of Christ. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 25

We must make the Scriptures our counsellor, and be doers of the Word if we would have a knowledge of the power of God. Our desires will have to be bound about. We are of necessity obliged to plan and devise and economize. We cannot manage as if we had a bank on which to draw in case of emergency. Therefore we must not get into straightened places. I am glad that Brother and Sister Haskell in their experience have learned that there is a limit to means, and while we would be pleased to have many things that we have not in our school building, we must look at the old furniture, the bureaus, tables, washstands, and other articles, and say, We must make them do. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 26

Sister Lacey, you will have a new experience here. In America there is an altogether different state of things. There they have facilities; and they have been reproved that they have made such extravagant outlay of means in our school interests. Now, my sister, we will necessarily have put away everything that will make a display or show. Everything will have to [be] brought within the narrow compass of that which we can be assured we can sustain. It will be far better for the students coming to our schools to see and understand our poverty in regard to means for themselves. In the school in Melbourne, I carried through a large number of scholars, but I cannot do this now. But I know that the Lord will help us if we are willing to follow His example, and not perpetuate a desire to make an appearance. This principle should be discerned by the Word of God and cut away from the life practice by the Holy Spirit’s power. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 27

The direction has been given to the students in the school of Christ: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” [1 Peter 2:2.] This is indeed eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God. “Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood,” said Christ, “hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread that came down from heaven; not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead; he that eateth of this bread shall live forever. These things saith he in the synagogue as he taught in Capernaum. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 28

“Many therefore of his disciples, when they heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my father. From that time many of the disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” [John 6:54-66.] 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 29

There are many who have no greater depth of spiritual perception than had the disciples who forsook their Lord because their limited comprehension did not discern His words. The feeding upon the divine Word of God is the divine element which the soul needs to secure a healthful development of all its spiritual powers. In all our schools this Word is to be made the real essence of education; and it is this that will give strength, wisdom, integrity, and moral power, if it is brought into the experience. It is not the words of worldly wisdom, it is not the maxims of men, it is not the theory of human beings, but it is the Word of God. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 30

We shall have to guard against the steadfast holding to ideas and maxims that have been presented us as essential from a human standpoint. Every soul who would be successful in warring the good warfare can be so only on one condition—that he “receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” [James 1:21.] Those who have dug deep for the hidden treasure, will find their reward in the precious veins of valuable ore, and these will make them wise unto salvation. All the wiles and subtleties of satanic agencies cannot beguile you from the position of steadfast self-denial if you are carefully following the example of your Saviour. Then you will meet his [the enemy’s] treacherous advances with his words, “Get thee behind me, Satan.” [Luke 4:8.] 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 31

My brother and sister whom I love in the Lord, you have many things to learn. A new experience must be gained by a close, careful, earnest education in the school of Christ. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me,” says the great Teacher, “for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [Matthew 11:29, 30.] 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 32

Our time is precious. We have now but few, very few days of probation left us in which to qualify ourselves for the future eternal life. We are not to devote these precious moments to forms and ceremonies. God designs that we shall keep the mind in pursuit of something tangible, something that we can take with us into the higher grade. The minds of the youth need the Word of God for instruction, that they may be “thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” [2 Timothy 3:17.] The teacher will need to be very simple when teaching from the Scriptures. They must be given line upon line, line upon line; precept upon precept, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 33

Strive to understand thoroughly every passage that you read. Fix one verse in the mind, and after you have studied it prayerfully yourself, striving to understand thoroughly every word expressed, present that verse to the students. It is of little advantage to skim over the surface of the Scriptures. If we would understand fully the words of Christ, thought must be brought into the searching of the Scriptures. We should open the Scriptures with great reverence, and not in a slothful, lazy manner. The words of Christ to the Pharisees were, “Ye search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me.” [John 5:39.] 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 34

They were searching the Scriptures for evidence of Christ’s appearing, gathering up every evidence in regard to the manner in which they supposed He would come, while Christ was in their midst. “And ye will not come to me,” He said, “that ye might have life. I receive not honor from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not; If another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 35

“For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. ‘The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him shall ye hearken ... And the Lord said unto me, ... I will raise up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.’ But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?” [John 5:40-47; Deuteronomy 18:15, 17-19.] 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 36

In ours, as in Christ’s day, there may be a misreading and misinterpreting of the Scriptures. If the Jews had studied the Scriptures with earnest, prayerful hearts, their searching would have been rewarded with a true knowledge of the time, and not only the time, but also the manner, of Christ’s appearing. They would not have ascribed the glorious second appearing of Christ to His first advent. They had the testimony of Daniel; they had the testimony of Isaiah and the other prophets; they had the teachings of Moses; and here was Christ in their very midst, and still they were searching the Scriptures for evidence in regard to His coming. And they were doing unto Christ the very things that had been prophesied they would do. They were so blinded they knew not what they were doing. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 37

And many are doing the same thing today, in 1897, because they have not had experience in the testing message comprehended in the first, second, and third angels’ messages. There are those who are searching the Scriptures for proof that these messages are still in the future. They gather together the truthfulness of the messages, but they fail to give them their proper place in prophetic history. Therefore such are in danger of misleading the people in regard to locating the messages. They do not see and understand the time of the end, or when to locate the messages. The day of God is coming with stealthy tread, but the supposed wise and great men are prating about “higher education.” They know not the signs of Christ’s coming, or of the end of the world. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 38

The evidence of the soon coming of Christ is right upon us, and many of us are asleep. We do not half gather up the important truths written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Iniquity is abounding everywhere, and the love of many has waxed cold. Unless we understand the importance of these moments that are swiftly passing into eternity, and make ready a people to stand in the great day of God, we shall be unfaithful stewards. The watchman is to know the time of night. Everything is now clothed with a solemnity that all who believe the truth should feel and sense. They should act in reference to the great day of God. The plagues of God are just upon the world, and we need to be preparing for that great day. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 39

We have no time now to spend in haphazard movements. We should fear to skim the surface of the Word of God. When the light shines in our hearts, we shall, in all our words and works, live in accordance with that light. We must now teach the Word of God as we never have done before. We must sink the shaft deeper in the minds of truth. All the little things of life are but a mote now. Those that pertain to eternity are of great consequence. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 40

May 1

There are many things to write of, but I have such an intensity of feeling that it is consuming me. May God help me is my prayer. Let all seek the Lord most earnestly. You have perceptive faculties, Brother and Sister Lacey. God has given you talents, and you must use them to a purpose. May the Lord help you. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 41

I was shown the necessity of connecting with the school some one of experience, some one who understood the principles of an all-round education, who had taken in the subjects that have been before our people, and have brought the same into his practical life. Proper education means much. O, that all could understand these matters in their true bearing. Physical, mental, and moral industry must be all combined in proper education, and everything that would be detrimental to the spiritual interests of the school must be cut away from the process of education. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 42

I have prayed most earnestly to the Lord to move upon some one of His chosen men or women who have had a practical knowledge of educating in right lines, and who could unite with the students, and say, Come and let us engage in manual labor. I have had a great burden to have Brother Haskell come to Australia and connect with, and give Bible studies in, the school. His experience in the searching of the Scriptures and in religious exercises in the work from his youth till the present time has qualified him to stand as first in the school and to be counsellor and instructor in Bible lines. Let his age and experience as the chosen servant of God bring to him respect. There is ever to be connected with the school the talent of experience—how to manage and mold and teach the youth. This is an experience which you have not at the present time; and as this is an important matter, I shall present it before you, and hope that you will understand the whole matter. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 43

I have written such on education, and will, when able, present it to the whole school. When your active, fruitful mind shall be exercised in the different lines, be sure that you do not bring in the very things presented at Battle Creek and Healdsburg which have been an offense to God in the past history of the management of that school. Have you brought with you the impressions you received of education at Battle Creek to be an influence here. If you had known all in regard to the testimonies given them, I am sure that the ideas that yourself and wife have had and brought with you would not seem essential to you. The Lord was grieved at the attitude taken by the teachers at Battle Creek. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 44

It is exceedingly hard for you to give up an idea when once you have cherished it. Thus it would be a dangerous experiment to put Sister Lacey in as matron of the school, and yourself as preceptor, to take the place as director or manager. You have both to learn many things. You have to obtain a different kind of education than you have received. You are to understand that the path that has been gone over in Healdsburg or in Battle Creek, or in any other college, cannot be travelled by the school in Cooranbong. It is not the supreme thing for you to bring into the school your notions, your ideas, your plans, for they would certainly be detrimental to the school just as far as you have entertained them. I have not spoken very plainly to you in regard to these things, for I have written so largely upon these matters to Battle Creek that I supposed you understood them and were prepared to carry them out. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 45

Economy should be exercised in everything connected with the school. Those who come to the school generally leave homes that are unadorned, where they have been accustomed to eat simple food without a number of courses. They are accustomed to plain, hearty food at noon, and a simple evening meal. There must be a strict regard to economy or a heavy debt will be incurred. Keep within bounds. Shun the incurring of debts as you would shun leprosy. But if you work on the other plan, it will hurt you more than you suppose. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 46

The management must not be left to yourself or to your wife, for you would make grave mistakes if you followed your own inclinations in many things. While we have so many ways in which to use our means; while thousands are already starving [and] dying under plague of famine, bloodshed, and fire, it becomes every one of us to carefully consider, and not get any needless articles in order to make an appearance. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 47

When these matters were opened before me in Melbourne, I bore my testimony decidedly against any outlay of means that would plunge the school in debt. What to do I did not know; but light came. Here it is: “Brother Haskell will connected with your school, and he will take heed to carry out the instruction that God has graciously given. His age and experience must be respected. Hold up his hands, and in no case demerit his counsel.” 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 48

We all need to be baptized into a higher faith, and be prepared to work in Christ’s lines. The importance of physical taxation combined with the mental should be understood. If the instruction that has been given for years had been received, searched into, and studied from cause to effect, there would be many less students who would leave the school, where they have been acquiring an education, heavily in debt. They would have used their God-given abilities in useful physical as well as intellectual labor. This important phase of education would have kept them free from the bondage of debt. If all the edges had been bound about, which all must learn to do who engage in the work of God in any line, their education would be much more solid and all around. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 49

There is great need of teachers who have an all round education. Appetites must be held in control, and not be misdirected. By students and teachers the physical powers must be carefully considered, or they will fail to tax the physical sufficiently to correspond with the taxation placed upon the mental. The physical powers must not be left unemployed or misemployed as they have been in instituting amusements to exercise the muscles. These are lessons that no student needs to attend school to learn. We have naught of this in the lessons of Christ. Let the physical be employed in useful labor that will be doing good. Let no one consider that he is departing from his dignity as a teacher if he uses the hands and arms and brings solidity to his muscles by useful exercise. This is God’s plan. Mind and heart will suffer with the indulgence of sedentary habits. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 50

Educate the inactive to put into exercise the limbs and muscles that God has given to be used, and it will bring its sure reward. If one part of the human body is exercised to the neglect of other portions, some of those members not used will become strengthless. If one member suffers through inaction, the whole body—brain, nerve, bone, and muscles—will become enfeebled. O, how much every student and teacher needs the higher, more thorough self-education, and a correct understanding of what we are and what we may be through self-discipline, that all our powers may be used to glorify God. 11LtMs, Ms 41b, 1896, par. 51