The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-05-14


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. tifty-four have
been processing Christians"
III Mr.. Gladstone was right, and IL
the question of ones relation 10
Christ is the leading question which
colfronts a student, il is very impor-
tant that he settle ii early. Indeed this
question lies at the basis of all educa-
tion. What is the real object OF edu-
cation? Ii is 10 increase ones ca
pacity TO know God. and 10 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
17:3).
/. The keenest delight of which We
are capable comes 10 US from know
ing God. When the devout astrono-
mer Kepler made his great discovery.
he exclaimed, 30 God. | think thy
thoughts after thee" Their, is no
greater JOY than this. unless il be that
Of seeing Gods character reproduced
in our lives. II this be true, then edu-
cation is not optional, with us, but
imperative. We are bound 10 cultivate
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
III. The superior advantages which
students enjoy make il doubly impor-
tant that they should become ac-
quainted early with the Lord Jesus.
Education enlarges ones capacity 10
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
ection and attitude. No educated per-
son can possibly live a Christless life
without leading others 10 do the same.
This consideration should have great
tary school recently told the writer
that it was the thought of his innu-
ence with the boys which led him 10
decide for God and put himself on rec
ord as a Christian.
TIT. 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
fuence OF the mother Is lacking. There
is no younger brother or sister 10 be
considered, not even the restraining
influence OF someone else's sister.
The consequence is that one grows
selfish and comes 10 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
a 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 ac-
quaintance with him who Is able TO
save to the uttermost," and able 10
keep you from falling" he soon lost
his standing and business, and died
a 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 10 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 20 this the natural
willingness OF the heart 20 have Il 20,
and you have a combination 81 cir
cumstances calculated 10 shake the
strongest faith. Some. indeed. think
IL sign OF superior intellect to doubt.
but this is a mistake. II is sometimes
a 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