The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1915-05-14


known personally
all the men who
have been prominent in England dur
ing the last fifty years, in business,
politics, or literature, and of the sixty
most prominent men, flfty-four have
been protesting Christians"
II Mr.. Gladstone was right, and II
the question of ones relation to
Christ is the leading question which
confronts a student, 1t is very impor-
tant that he settle It early. Indeed this
question lies at the basis Of all educa-
ton. What is the real object Of edu-
cation? 1t is to increase ones ca
pacity to know God, and to make him
known to others. This is what educa-
ton is for, what life is for. "And this
is life eternal that they should know
thee the only true God, and Jesus
Christ whom thou hast sent" John
1879.
/. The keenest delight of which we
are capable comes to us from know
ing God. When the devout astrono-
mer Kepler made his great discovery,
he exclaimed, 20 God, think thy
thoughts after thee" There is no
greater Joy than this, unless 1t be that
Of seeing Gods character reproduced
In our lives. If this be true, then edu-
cation is not optional with us, but
sy,,x Ia 10 a.sItf IN
every talent which we possess, be-
cause each is an avenue through
which God can reveal himself to US.
We are bound to open every window
Of our soul towards Jerusalem" and
let in the light Of Gods glorious
truth.
II. The superior advantages which
students enjoy make 1t doubly impor-
tant that they should become &C
quainted early with the Lord Jesus.
Education enlarges ones capacity to
see and foresee, to do and to undo. II
multiplies his influence, and thus in
creases his responsibility, since the
welfare of others depends upon his
action and attitude. No educated per-
son can possibly live Christless life
without leading others to do the same.
This consideration should have great
weight. A professor In large mill
tary school recently told the writer
that 1t was the thought Of his infu.
ence with the boys which led him to
decide for God and put himself on REQ
ord as Christian.
III. Again, the peculiar temptations
which confront a student make an ac-
quaintance with Jesus indispensable.
Among these may be mentioned:
(a) The freedom from home re-
straint. The strong, steadying hand
of the father and the indescribable in
fiuence of the mother is lacking. There
is no younger brother or sister to be
considered, not even the restraining
influence OF someone else's sister.
The consequence is that one grows
selfish and comes to think that all the
world was made for him.
(b) The petty vices which prevail
so commonly among students BY the
side OF the writer in college sat the
valedictorian of the class. He was
well-disposed man, but he had no
religious principles. When others
drank he was not strong enough to
refuse. After graduation he studied
law and became one Of the most bril-
liant and promising lawyers In the
state. Temptations now grew stronger
and more frequent, and having no &C
quaintance with him who is able TO
save to the uttermost," and able to
keep you from falling" he soon lost
his standing and business, and died
common drunkard.
(c) Not the least of the dangers
which confront a student is the temp
tation to doubt. He lives in an atmos-
phere Of inquiry and criticism. Old
theories are being laid aside and new
facts are constantly being discovered.
Possibly he sees some OF his instruc-
tors. for whose ability he has the high
est respect, utterly Indifferent to the
claims OF the Gospel. Literature is
full of covert sneers at religion. He Is
just at the age when his critical facul-
ties are being developed. and he be-
gins to question everything which he
once believed. Add to this the natural
willingness of the heart to have it so.
and you have a combination Of cir
cumstances calculated to shake the
strongest faith. Some, indeed. think
1t sign OF superior intellect to doubt.
but this Is a mistake 1t is sometimes
q sign Of spiritual blindness. and often
of moral obliquity. A large part OF
the skepticism Of students is Of the
heart rather than OF the head.