The Youth’s Instructor

May 3, 1900

The Student's Privileges and Responsibilities

Part 1.

EGW

A great responsibility rests upon the youth who have the privileges of school life. They are given many precious opportunities. The word of God is opened before them day after day. They have the privilege of listening to the message that God sends, and of knowing what he requires of every human being. The youth who come to school determined to obtain instruction that will fit them for the higher grade, will have ministering angels to attend them at every step. The still, small voice will speak to them, saying, “This is the way; walk ye in it.” YI May 3, 1900, par. 1

We read in the Word, “We are laborers together with God.” If you could only realize that the God of heaven takes those who have been rebels against his government, and says to them, You may be laborers together with me, you would this day consecrate yourselves wholly to him. You may be in living connection with Jesus. You may be channels of light. Is it not wonderful that we can receive the rich current of grace from the Deity, and work in harmony with him? What does the Deity want with us—poor, weak, and feeble as we are? What can he do with us?—Everything, if we are willing to surrender all. YI May 3, 1900, par. 2

When God called me in my very childhood to work for him, I used to think, What can I do? God says, Do my bidding. This is all that any of us need do. I want to tell you what each of you, from the oldest to the youngest, can do: You can co-operate with God, with your teachers, and with one another. Are you prepared to co-operate with those who carry heavy burdens? If so, you will not drift along from day to day, just where your inclination leads you. You will not study how to please yourself. You will realize that you are responsible for the influence you exert. YI May 3, 1900, par. 3

At the very beginning of the school term it is your privilege to understand the meaning of the words, “We are laborers together with God; ye are God's husbandry.” Think of it! He is seeking to work the mind, just as you work the land. He is trying to sow seed that will bear fruit to his glory. “Ye are God's building.” But he does not build without any care for you. He says to each one: “Come unto me.... Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; 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.” Where do we find rest?—In meekness and lowliness. In submitting to God, as a dutiful child submits to his father. YI May 3, 1900, par. 4

The success of the school depends upon the consecration and sanctification of the students, upon the holy influence they feel bound under God to exert. There are your teachers. Instead of complaining of them for being strict, come into line with them. Let your teachers understand that you are working on their side. Draw with Christ. Take his yoke upon you, and learn of him, the meek and lowly One. You will never need to complain of your teachers’ strictness if you will keep faithful watch over yourselves, guarding jealously the citadel of the heart. Ever remember the words: “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” God longs to work in you, to will and to do of his good pleasure. Are you willing to submit to his working? The good we may accomplish by thus uniting with our Saviour we shall never know till, as overcomers, we enter the city of God. YI May 3, 1900, par. 5

Mrs. E. G. White