To the young men and young women who are being
educated as nurses and physicians I will say, Keep close
to Jesus. By beholding Him become changed into His
likeness. Remember that you are not training for
courtship or marriage, but for the marriage of Christ. You
may have a theoretical knowledge of the truth, but this will
not save you. You must know by experience how sinful
sin is, and how much you need Jesus as a personal
Saviour. Only thus can you become sons and daughters
of God. Your only merit is your great need. CH 590.2
Those selected to take the NURSES’ course in our
sanitariums should be wisely chosen. Young girls of a
superficial mold of character should not be encouraged to
take up this work. Many of the young men who present
themselves as being desirous of being educated as
PHYSICIANS have not those traits of character which will
enable them to withstand the temptations so common to
the work of a physician. Only those should be accepted
who give promise of becoming qualified for the great work
of imparting the principles of true health reform. CH 590.3
True education does not ignore the value of scientific
knowledge or literary acquirements; but above information
it values power; above power, goodness; above
intellectual acquirements, character. The world does not
so much need men of great intellect as of noble
character. It needs men in whom ability is controlled by
steadfast principle. 94 CSA 65.1
We realize that education is not only necessary to the
proper fulfillment of the duties of domestic life, but
necessary for parents might think suitable for their
children, whether they desire them to become
manufacturers, agriculturists, mechanics, or to follow some
PROFESSIONAL calling, they would reap great
advantages from the discipline of an education.... They
need to be thoroughly furnished with the reasons of our
faith, to understand the Scriptures for themselves.
Through understanding the truths of the Bible, they will be
better fitted to fill positions of trust. They will be fortified
against the temptations that will beset them on the right
hand and on the left. But if they are thoroughly instructed
and consecrated, they may be called, as was Daniel, to fill
important responsibilities. Daniel was a faithful statesman
in the courts of Babylon; for he feared, loved, and trusted
God; and in time of temptation and peril he was preserved
by the power of God. We read that God gave Daniel
wisdom, and endowed him with understanding. CE 197.3
It is the privilege of every soul to make advancement.
Those who are connected with Christ will grow in grace
and in the knowledge of the Son of God, to the full stature
of men and women. If all who claim to believe the truth
had made the most of their ability and opportunities to
learn and to do, they would have become strong in Christ.
Whatever their occupation,—whether they were farmers,
mechanics, teachers, or pastors,—if they had wholly
consecrated themselves to God, they would have
become efficient workers for the heavenly Master.—
Testimonies for the Church 6:423. ChS 25.1
Mechanics, lawyers, merchants, men of all trades and
professions, educate themselves that they may become
masters of their business. Should the followers of Christ be
less intelligent, and while professedly engaged in His
service, be ignorant of the ways and means to be
employed? The enterprise of gaining everlasting life is
above every earthly consideration. In order to lead souls
to Jesus there must be a knowledge of human nature and
a study of the human mind. Much careful thought and
fervent prayer are required to know how to approach men
and women upon the great subject of truth.—Testimonies
for the Church 4:67. ChS 225.6
In our association with one another we are to remember
that all have not the same talents or the same disposition.
The workers differ in plans and ideas. Varied gifts,
combined, are necessary for the success of the work. Let
us remember that some can fill certain positions more
successfully than others. The worker who has been given
tact and ability that fit him for the accomplishment of
some special line of work should not blame others for not
being able to do that which he, perhaps, can do readily.
Are there not things that his fellow workers can do far
more successfully than he? Ev 103.1
The various talents that the Lord has entrusted to His
servants are essential in His work. The different parts of
the work are to be brought together, piece by piece, to
make a complete whole. The parts of a building are not all
the same; neither are they made by the same process.
The lines of God's work are not all the same, and neither
are they to be carried forward in exactly the same way.—
Letter 116, 1903. Ev 103.2
