青年指导原则
第一条
“不可叫人小看你年轻。总要在言语，行为，爱心，信心，清洁上，都作信徒的榜样”(提前4:12)。{PH036 2.1}
青年人要以圣经为指南，坚如磐石地维护原则。他们可以追求任何高度的成就。(《时兆》1889年第9号){PH036 2.2}
圣经教导人行动要有原则。我们每当成功地抵御邪恶的影响，都会加强受到攻击的原则。单单拥有才干不能保证人生的用途或幸福。正确的原则是真成功的唯一基础。(《评论与通讯》1883年11月29日){PH036 2.3}
人生的一举一动都会产生或善或恶的重大影响。我们只有在日常生活的考验中按照原则办事，才能获得能力在最危险和困难的环境下坚定忠心地站立。(《健康改革者》){PH036 2.4}
要追求正直的道路。(《怀爱伦和怀雅各传略》335页){PH036 2.5}
必须教导青年人思想和行动都要遵循严正的原则。(《基督化教育》34页){PH036 2.6}
男女登上人生行动的舞台而有坚定的原则，就配在这道德污浊的腐败世代中纤尘不染了。(《教会证言》卷三563页){PH036 2.7}
凡是我们必须做的事情其实没有小事。每一个举动都是重要的，或站在正确的一边，或站在错误的一边。只有藉着在日常生活中所办理的小事中运用原则，我们才得以经受考验，形成品格。……心思必须在每日的考验中受训练，直到养成忠诚尽责的习惯，使正义感与责任感大过个人的嗜好与意愿。(《教会证言》卷三22页){PH036 2.8}
教师和学生正在不断地编织他们永久的命运。每当梭子穿过，就会织入一根系于正确原则和圣洁行动纱线，或者织入性质相反的纱线。学生们有可能将他们的纱线系在不利于他们将来生活的事物上。(《未发表证言》){PH036 3.1}
每一个人的心都要经过试验。每一个人的品格都要发展。这是上帝子民所必须实行的原则。生活的原则必须在生活中实行出来。(《教会证言》卷一222页){PH036 3.2}
不要让自私庸俗的观念和追逐蝇头小利的欲望潜入，玷污本应支配一切世务的高尚原则。(《未发表证言》){PH036 3.3}
青年人可以有坚定的原则，即使是撒但最有力的试探，也不能动摇他们的忠诚。(《教会证言》卷三472页){PH036 3.4}
作为人生特征的原则应该是什么呢?就是在属于上帝的身心上荣耀祂。(《未发表证言》){PH036 3.5}
我们借着完全顺从上帝的旨意，就必占有优势的地位，也必看清与属世的风俗习惯坚决分离的必要性。(《教会证言》卷六146页){PH036 3.6}
如果信奉基督之名的人实行了黄金律的原则，福音工作就会伴随着与使徒时代一样的能力了。(《福山宝训》137页){PH036 3.7}
爱必须成为行动的原则。(《基督比喻实训》49页){PH036 4.1}
约瑟无论在顺境或逆境之下，都一样经得起考验。(《教育论》51页){PH036 4.2}
要让每一位自称为天上君王儿女的人，不断地寻求要代表上帝国度的原则。(《教会证言》卷六189页){PH036 4.3}
在各处教会，宗教机构，及自称为基督徒者的家庭中，有许多当代的青年正在选取灭亡之途。(《教会证言》卷六254页){PH036 4.4}
目标明确
“但以理却立志不以王的膳和王所饮的酒玷污自己”(但1:8)。{PH036 4.5}
“人的礼物，为他开路，引他到高位的人面前”(箴18:16)。{PH036 4.6}
凡具备争取永生冠冕的人所必有之品格的人，必须抱有崇高圣洁的宗旨。(《时兆》1900年6月20日){PH036 4.7}
许多人羡慕良善，也为得到它而作出了一些努力，却没有选定良善，不惜代价而志在必得。(《福山宝训》143页){PH036 4.8}
应当记住：你所能达到的，决不会超越你自己所立的标准。所以要提高你的标准，经过不懈的努力，克己与牺牲，一步一步攀完你进步的全部阶梯。不要让什么事物来阻碍你。命运并没有在人的周围编织坚固的网罗，使人处于无奈与动荡之中。逆境应当激发人战胜它的坚强决心。突破每一道障碍都会使人得到更大的力量与勇气继续前进。只要你决心在正确的方向奋勇前进，环境就会成为你的助手，而不是障碍了。(《基督比喻实训》331、332页){PH036 4.9}
唯有真诚地接受现代真理，并使之成为品格的基础，它才会产生坚定的意志。这种意志是娱乐的引诱、习尚的变易、爱世界之辈的藐视、以及自我放纵的内心呼喊，都无力影响的。(《教会证言》卷五43页){PH036 5.1}
你要信赖上帝，努力依照原则行事，只有在上帝里面才能得到使你坚强高尚的决心和毅力。(《教会证言》卷二313页){PH036 5.2}
清洁的心灵，专一的宗旨，构成了人实际的价值。(《评论与通讯》1891年10月6日){PH036 5.3}
对自己的才华予以最佳运用的，是那些以认真的努力执行上帝拯救人类伟大计划的人。他们始终记住自己必须既当老师又当学生。(《青年导报》1902年12月11日){PH036 5.4}
耶稣从幼小的时候就抱定一个宗旨：祂活着是要为他人造福。(《历代愿望》70页){PH036 5.5}
上天在这个世代内将福音传遍天下的旨意，乃是交给人类最高尚的任务。……全世界正在对福音开放。(《教育论》262页){PH036 5.6}
你可以培养自己的能力从事最好的服务，这样，你就会发现到处都需要你。你的价值就会受到欣赏。(《特别证言》){PH036 5.7}
阅读
“念这书上预言的，和那些听见又遵守其中所记载的，都是有福的。因为日期近了”(启1:3)。{PH036 6.1}
“万物的结局近了。所以你们要谨慎自守，儆醒祷告”(彼前4:7)。
在上帝的话中所蕴藏的智慧，是无可置疑的，且是永无穷尽的——这种智慧不是始于有限的脑筋，而是源自无穷的心意。(《教会证言》卷六132页){PH036 6.3}
没有什么比研究圣经更能增进人的智力，也没有什么别的书籍能像圣经广阔崇高的真理那样有效地提高人的思想，振奋人的机能。如果人按照上帝的要求研究圣经，就会拥有现代所罕见的广阔思想，高尚品格和坚定意志。(《拾级就主》90页){PH036 6.4}
人的心思若充斥庸俗的事物，就会退化衰弱;如果不思考伟大深远的真理，一段时间以后就会失去成长的能力。……圣经作为培养智力的工具，其效果超过任何书籍或所有书籍的总和。(《教育论》124页){PH036 6.5}
我们队伍中的传道人和工人们此时的特别努力，应该是使青少年的注意力从一切令人兴奋的小说转移到先知更确的预言上。每个为永生奋斗之人的注意力，都应集中于圣经。(《教会证言》卷五519页){PH036 6.6}
如果你读书的目的是为了提高心智，就应量着自己的吸收和理解能力来阅读，你若恒心忍耐地这样阅读，就会收到良好的效果。(《教会证言》卷三465页){PH036 6.7}
读书浮光掠影，囫囵吞枣，只会堵塞你的思想，导致你大脑里消化不良。(《教会证言》卷三465页){PH036 7.1}
凡养成阅读刺激性小说习惯的人，正在削弱自己的智力，使自己无法进行活跃的思考和研究。一些年老体衰的人始终未能摆脱不节制之阅读习惯所造成的影响。…... 对身体方面的影响也不会更好些。他们的神经系统因这种阅读的热情而不堪重累。一些青年，甚至是成年人，由于滥读之故而瘫痪了。心灵受到不断的刺激，脑筋精密的组织衰弱到不能活动，终于瘫痪了。(《基督化教育》186、187页){PH036 7.2}
不节制的读书习惯和不节制的饮食习惯一样，都会对大脑产生有害的影响。(《基督化教育》188页){PH036 7.3}
我们有许多青少年已蒙上帝赋予上好的能力。祂已赐给他们最佳的才干;但他们的能力却衰弱了，他们的心智也困惑软弱了，多年来他们在恩典和认识我们信仰的缘由上没有长进，因为他们满足于对故事类读物的品味。他们难以控制对这种肤浅读物的欲望，就像酒鬼难以控制对醉人酒类的欲望一样。这些人现今原可从事我们出版社的工作，并成为有效的工人，记账，准备印刷副本，或阅读校样;但他们的才干已被败坏，直到他们的心智变得消化不良了，结果就不适合在任何地方负责工作了。想象力被败坏了。他们过着一种不真实的生活。他们不适合人生实际的义务;而且最可悲最令人气馁的是，他们对可靠的读物全无兴趣了。(《教会证言》卷五518页){PH036 7.4}
你们不愿意藉着祷告亲近上帝的最大原因之一，是因为你们阅读那些迷醉人魅惑人的小说，引发了幻想和不圣洁的情感，以致无法进行这种神圣的工作。(《教会证言》卷一504页){PH036 8.1}
你们现在是放纵一种足以毁灭你们灵性的恶事，会使圣书的美丽及趣味隐晦无光。这种恶事就是你们爱读故事小说，以及其他对于那已献为上帝而用的脑筋毫无益处的读物。这些东西只能产生一种虚伪不健全的兴奋，使人的想象力热狂，使人的脑筋无用，不配作任何属灵的运用。……你们若更能常常殷勤精读圣经，就必更见其美丽，同时那些轻浮的读物也就更少滋味了。(《教会证言》卷一241、242页){PH036 8.2}
我看见在基督徒家庭中，青少年的心受了报刊杂志上连载故事的不良影响，心里甚觉不安。我看到那些爱好小说的人受到了小说的熏陶。他们本来有权利聆听上帝圣言的真理，了解我们信仰的缘由。但他们还没有学会真实的敬虔，就长大成人了。……他们沉湎于煽情的小说，生活在虚幻的世界中，不能胜任人生的实际职责。我观察过一些在这种状况中成长的孩子，不论在家中，还是在外面，都是要么心神不宁，要么喜欢空想的，除了最平常的话，无法进行交谈。本来可用于更高追求的天赋，却降格为热中于低级琐碎甚至是卑劣堕落的题材，直到他们满足于这种题材，几乎没有能力领会更高的题材了。(《基督化教育》185、186页){PH036 8.3}
青年人正处于极大的危险之中。那些轻浮的读物足以酿成大害。许多本该予以善用的光阴，已经浪费了。有些人因为要读完一些荒诞的爱情故事，竟然剥夺自己睡眠的时间。现今世上充斥着各式各样的小说，有些危险性略小，有些却是无耻，下流，低级的。还有些披上一个比较文雅的名称，而实际上这一切都是有恶劣影响的。啊!唯愿青年人意识到这些刺激的小说故事对他们心思有何影响!在阅读了这种精神垃圾之后，你还有兴趣打开圣经阅读生命之道吗?你不会觉得上帝的圣言索然无味吗?爱情小说的魔力进入心思，就败坏其健全的情感，使你不能专心致意于那与你永恒福利有关的重大严肃之真理了。你得罪了父母，因为你枉费了那属于他们的光阴，做这些毫无益处之事;同时你也得罪了上帝，因为你浪费了那应当献为主用的光阴。(《教会证言》卷二236页){PH036 9.1}
应当避免阅读或观看那些暗示不洁思想的事物。应当培养道德与心智上的能力。惟愿这些高贵的能力不因阅读过多，尤其是阅读小说，而致衰败。我认识一些人具有聪慧的脑力，却由于在阅读上不节制而趋于畸形，甚至有部分迟钝或麻木的现象了。(《教会证言》卷二410页){PH036 9.2}
许多青年渴望读书。凡能到手的书他们无不阅读。煽情的爱情小说和淫秽的照片图画，有令人腐化败坏的影响。许多人热切地细读小说，结果他们的想象力变得污秽下流。(《教会证言》卷二410页){PH036 10.1}
音乐
“全地都要向耶和华歌唱。天天传扬祂的救恩”(代上16:23)。{PH036 10.2}
“当用诗章，颂词，灵歌，彼此对说，口唱心和地赞美主”(弗5:19)。{PH036 10.3}
从一颗充满对主的爱与专诚的纯洁之心所发出来的赞美诗歌，必使上帝得到荣耀。(《教会证言》卷一509页){PH036 10.4}
音乐应当有美、有情、有力。要发出赞美和奉献的歌声。在有条件的时候，要配上乐器，让雄壮和谐的歌声上升到上帝面前，成为蒙悦纳的祭物。(《传道良助》1892年版325页){PH036 10.5}
他们把音乐用在圣洁的活动上，用来提高人的思想到纯洁、高尚和优雅的程度，并在人心中唤起敬虔和感激上帝的意念。古时的这种风俗和今日滥用音乐的情形是多么不同啊!有多少人用音乐的天才来高抬自己，而没有用来荣耀上帝啊!爱好音乐的心理常引诱人不知不觉地在上帝所禁止祂儿女去的游乐场所里，与爱好世俗的人联合起来。这样，那原可加以正当运用而藉以获益的恩赐，倒成了撒但最有效的工具，使人转离本分，而不去默想永恒的事。音乐乃是组成天庭敬拜上帝的圣礼之一，所以我们赞美歌唱时应当努力追求与天上的诗歌队相和谐。发音和歌唱的适当训练乃是人人的教育中不容忽视的重要部分。在宗教的礼节上，唱诗与祷告同是敬拜的行为。(《基督化教育》62、63页){PH036 10.6}
音乐往往被滥用来为罪恶服务，成为最有诱惑力的工具。但音乐如果使用得当，就成了上帝最宝贵的恩赐，能提高人的意识思念高尚尊贵的事，陶冶和净化人的情操。(《教育论》167页){PH036 11.1}
你们的祈祷应比歌唱多。(《教会证言》卷一513页){PH036 11.2}
天使们正在住宅周围徘徊，青年人聚集在里面。那里有唱歌奏乐的声音传出。聚集在那里的是一群基督徒。但是你听见什么了呢?是适合在舞厅里流行的轻浮小调。看哪，纯洁的天使收敛了他们的荣光，黑暗笼罩了那个住所。天使们离开了那里。他们面显愁容。看哪，他们在流泪。……音乐若运用得当，本是一个福分。但它常为撒但所利用，作为网罗人心最有魅力的工具之一。音乐既被滥用，就使未献身的人骄傲、虚浮和愚妄。音乐如果用来代替灵修和祈祷，就成了可怕的诅咒。(《教会证言》卷一506页){PH036 11.3}
撒但把庸俗的歌放在你们口中。你们歌唱的时候，你们的口就是在赞美他。(特别证言){PH036 12.1}
母亲们啊，且慢设法给女儿们以音乐教育吧，应当教导她们与生命及健康有最密切关系的这些有用的学科才好。(《教会证言》卷二538页){PH036 12.2}
凡有救主住在心中的人，决不会在众人面前用乐器来演奏使人心转离上帝和天国、关注轻浮琐事的音乐，从而羞辱祂。(《教会证言》卷一510页){PH036 12.3}
PH036 - Guiding Principles for the Young
【Number One】
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.?1 Timothy 4:12.?{PH036 2.1}[1]
Let the youth take the Bible as their guide, and stand like a rock for principle, and they can aspire to any height of attainment.—Signs, No. 9, 1889.?{PH036 2.2}[2]
The Bible teaches men to act from principle, and whenever we successfully resist evil influences we are strengthening that principle which has been assailed. The mere possession of talent is no guarantee of usefulness or happiness in life. Right principles are the only basis of true success.—The Review and Herald, 1883.?{PH036 2.3}[3]
Every act of life is great for good or evil and it is only by acting upon principle in the test of daily life that we acquire power to stand firm and faithful in the most dangerous and difficult positions.—Health Reformer.?{PH036 2.4}[4]
Pursue a straightforward course.—Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 335.?{PH036 2.5}[5] The young must be taught to think and to act from conscientious principle.—Christian Education, 34.?{PH036 2.6}[6]
Men and women who come upon the stage of action with firm principles will be fitted to stand unsullied amid the moral pollutions of this corrupt age.—Testimonies for the Church 3:563.?{PH036 2.7}[7]
Nothing with which we have to do is?really small. Every action is of some account either on the side of right, or on the side of wrong. It is only by exercising principle in the small transactions of ordinary life that we are tested and our characters formed.... The mind must be trained through daily tests to habits of fidelity, to a sense of the claims of right and duty above inclination and pleasure.—Testimonies for the Church 3:22.?{PH036 2.8}[8]
Teachers and students are constantly at work weaving the web of their eternal destiny. Every time the shuttle passes it draws after it a thread which is fastened to right principles and holy actions, or the opposite. Students may have fastened to their threads that which is not profitable for their future life.—Unpublished Testimony.?{PH036 3.1}[9]
Every heart will be tested, every character developed. It is principle that God’s people must act upon. The living principle must be carried out in the life.—Testimonies for the Church 1:222.?{PH036 3.2}[10]
Selfish, cheap ideas, little mean advantages, should not be allowed to steal in and mar the nobility of the principles that should control all the proceedings in temporal matters.—Unpublished Testimony.?{PH036 3.3}[11]
The youth may have principles so firm that the most powerful temptations of Satan will not draw them away from their allegiance.—Testimonies for the Church 3:472.?{PH036 3.4}[12]
What is the principle that is to characterize the life? Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.—Unpublished Testimony.?{PH036 3.5}[13]
By conforming entirely to the will of God, we shall be placed upon vantage ground, and shall see the necessity of decided separation from the customs and practices of the world.—Testimonies for the Church 6:146.?{PH036 3.6}[14]
When those who confess the name of?Christ shall practice the principles of the golden rule, the same power will attend the gospel as in apostolic times.—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 181.?{PH036 3.7}[15] Love must be the principle of action.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 49.?{PH036 4.1}[16]
Joseph bore alike the test of adversity and prosperity.—Education, 52.?{PH036 4.2}[17] Let every one who claims to be a child of the heavenly King seek constantly to represent the principles of the kingdom of God.—Testimonies for the Church 6:189.?{PH036 4.3}[18]
Many of the youth of this generation, in the midst of churches, religious institutions, and professedly Christian homes, are choosing the path to destruction.—Testimonies for the Church 6:254.?{PH036 4.4}[19]
【Purposefulness】
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank.?Daniel 1:8.?{PH036 4.5}[20]
A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.?Proverbs 18:16.?{PH036 4.6}[21]
High and holy must be the purpose of everyone who obtains the character all must obtain who win the crown of everlasting life.—Signs of the Times, June 20, 1900.?{PH036 4.7}[22]
Many desire the good, they make some effort to obtain it; but they do not choose it; they have not a settled purpose to secure it at the cost of all things.—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 191.?{PH036 4.8}[23]
Remember that you will never reach a higher standard than you yourself set. Then set your mark high, and step by step, even though it be by painful effort, by self-denial and sacrifice, ascend the whole length of the ladder of progress. Let nothing hinder you. Fate has not woven its meshes about any human being so firmly that he need remain helpless and in uncertainty.?Opposing circumstances should create a firm determination to overcome them. The breaking down of one barrier will give greater ability and courage to go forward. Press with determination in the right direction, and circumstances will be your helpers, not your hindrances.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 331, 332.?{PH036 4.9}[24]
Only let the truth of this time be cordially received, and become the basis of character, and it will produce steadfastness of purpose which the allurements of pleasure, the fickleness of custom, the contempt of the world-loving, and the heart’s clamors for self-indulgence are powerless to influence.—Testimonies for the Church 5:13.?{PH036 5.1}[25]
Trust in God, and seek to move from principle, strengthened and ennobled by high resolves and a determination of purpose found only in God.—Testimonies for the Church 2:313.?{PH036 5.2}[26]
It is purity of heart, singleness of purpose, that constitutes the true value of human beings.—The Review and Herald, October 6, 1891.?{PH036 5.3}[27]
He uses his gifts best who seeks by earnest endeavor to carry out the Lord’s great plan for the uplifting of humanity, remembering always that he must be a learner as well as a teacher.—The Youth’s Instructor, December 11, 1902.?{PH036 5.4}[28] From Jesus’ earliest years he was possessed of one purpose. He lived to bless others.—The Desire of Ages, 70.?{PH036 5.5}[29]
The heaven-appointed purpose of giving the gospel to the world in this generation is the noblest that can appeal to any human being.... The whole world is opening to the gospel.—Education, 262.?{PH036 5.6}[30]
You may cultivate your powers to do the very best of service, and then you will find yourself in demand anywhere. You will be appreciated for what you are worth.—Special Testimony.?{PH036 5.7}[31]
【Reading】
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.?Revelation 1:3.?{PH036 6.1}[32]
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer.?1 Peter 4:7. R. V.?{PH036 6.2}[33]
In God’s word is found wisdom unquestionable, inexhaustible,—wisdom that originated, not in the finite, but in the infinite mind.—Testimonies for the Church 6:132.?{PH036 6.3}[34]
There is nothing more calculated to strengthen the intellect than the study of the Scriptures. No other book is so potent to elevate the thoughts, to give vigor to the faculties as the broad ennobling truths of the Bible. If God’s word were studied as it should be, men would have a breadth of mind, a nobility of character, and a stability of purpose that is rarely seen in these times.—Steps to Christ, 113.?{PH036 6.4}[35]
The mind occupied by common-place matters only becomes dwarfed and enfeebled. If never tasked to comprehend grand and far-reaching truths, it after a time loses the power of growth.... As a means of intellectual training, the Bible is more effective than any other book, or all other books combined.—Education, 124.?{PH036 6.5}[36]
The special effort of ministers, and of workers all through our ranks, for this time should be to turn away the attention of the youth from all exciting stories, to the sure word of prophecy. The attention of every soul striving for eternal life should center in the Bible.—Testimonies for the Church 5:519.?{PH036 6.6}[37]
If you should read with the one object in view to improve the mind, and should read only as much as the mind could comprehend and digest, and should patiently persevere in such a course of reading, good?results would be accomplished.—Testimonies for the Church 3:465.?{PH036 6.7}[38]
Chasing through books superficially, clogs the mind, and causes you to become a mental dyspeptic.—Testimonies for the Church 3:465.?{PH036 7.1}[39]
Those who have indulged the habit of racing through exciting stories, are crippling their mental strength, and disqualifying themselves for vigorous thought and research. There are men and women now in the decline of life who have never recovered from the effects of intemperate reading.... Nor is the physical effect less disastrous. The nervous system is unnecessarily taxed by this passion for reading. In some cases, youth, and even those of mature age, have been afflicted with paralysis from no other cause than excess in reading. The mind was kept under constant excitement, until the delicate machinery of the brain became so weakened that it could not act, and paralysis was the result.—Christian Education, 186, 187.?{PH036 7.2}[40]
Intemperate habits of reading exert a pernicious influence upon the brain as surely as does intemperance in eating and drinking.—Christian Education, 188.?{PH036 7.3}[41]
There are many of our youth whom God has endowed with superior capabilities. He has given them the very best of talents but their powers have been enervated, their minds confused and enfeebled, and for years they have made no growth in grace and in a knowledge of the reasons of our faith, because they have gratified a taste for story-reading. They have as much difficulty to control the appetite for such superficial reading, as the drunkard has to control his appetite for intoxicating drink. These might today be connected with our publishing houses, and be efficient workers to keep books, prepare copy for the press,?or to read proof; but their talents have been perverted until they are mental dyspeptics; and consequently are unfitted for a responsible position anywhere. The imagination is diseased. They live an unreal life. They are unfitted for the practical duties of life, and that which is the most sad and discouraging is they have lost all relish for solid reading.—Testimonies for the Church 5:518.?{PH036 7.4}[42]
One of the greatest reasons why you have so little disposition to draw nearer to God by prayer is you have unfitted yourselves for this sacred work by reading fascinating stories, which have excited the imagination and aroused unholy passions.—Testimonies for the Church 1:504.?{PH036 8.1}[43]
You are indulging in evil which threatens to destroy your spirituality. It will eclipse all the beauty and interest of the sacred pages. It is love for story books, tales, and other reading which does not have an influence for good upon the mind that is in any way dedicated to the service of God. It produces a false, unhealthy excitement, fevers the imagination, unfits the mind for usefulness, and disqualifies it for any spiritual exercise.... The oftener and more diligently you peruse the Scriptures, the more beautiful will they appear, and the less relish will you have for light reading.—Testimonies for the Church 1:241, 242.?{PH036 8.2}[44]
I am troubled to see in Christian families, periodicals and newspapers containing continued stories that leave no impress of good upon the mind. I have watched those whose tastes for fiction has been thus cultivated. They have had the privilege of listening to the truths of God’s word, of becoming acquainted with the reasons of our faith; but they have grown to mature years destitute of true piety.... The mind is feasted upon sensational stories. They live in an unreal world, and are?unfitted for the practical duties of life. I have observed children allowed to come up in this way. Whether at home or abroad, they are either restless or dreamy, and are unable to converse save upon the most common-place subjects. The nobler faculties, those adapted to higher pursuits, have been degraded to the contemplation of trivial, or worse than trivial subjects, until their possessor has become satisfied with such topics and scarcely has power to reach anything higher.—Christian Education, 185, 186.?{PH036 8.3}[45]
The young are in great danger. Great evil results from their light reading. Much time is lost which should be spent in useful employment. Some would even deprive themselves of sleep to finish some ridiculous love story. The world is flooded with novels of every description. Some are not of as dangerous a character as others. Some are immoral, low and vulgar; others are clothed with more refinement; but all are pernicious in their influence. Oh that the young would reflect upon the influence which exciting stories have upon the mind. Can you, after such reading, open the Word of God and read the words of life with interest? Do you not find the book of God uninteresting? The charm of that love story is upon the mind, destroying its healthy tone, and making it impossible for you to fix your mind upon the important, solemn truths which concern your eternal interest. You sin against your parents in devoting to such a poor purpose the time which belongs to them, and you sin against God in thus using the time which should be spent in devotion to Him.—Testimonies for the Church 2:236.?{PH036 9.1}[46]
Avoid reading and seeing things which will suggest impure thoughts. Cultivate the moral and intellectual powers. Let not?these noble powers become enfeebled and perverted by much reading of even story books. I know of strong minds that have been unbalanced and partially benumbed, or paralyzed, by intemperance in reading.—Testimonies for the Church 2:410.?{PH036 9.2}[47]
Many of the young are eager for books. They read everything they can obtain. Exciting love stories and impure pictures have a corrupting influence. Novels are eagerly perused by many, and as a result, the imaginations become defiled.—Testimonies for the Church 2:410.?{PH036 10.1}[48]
【Music】
Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; shew forth from day to day His salvation.?1 Chronicles 16:23.?{PH036 10.2}[49]
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.?Ephesians 5:19.?{PH036 10.3}[50]
God is glorified by songs of praise from a pure heart filled with love and devotion to Him.—Testimonies for the Church 1:509.?{PH036 10.4}[51]
Music should have beauty, pathos and power.... Let the voices be lifted in songs of praise and devotion. Call to your aid, if practicable, instrumental music, and let the glorious harmony ascend to God, an acceptable offering.—Gospel Workers, 325.?{PH036 10.5}[52]
Music was made to serve a holy purpose, to lift the thoughts to that which is pure, noble and elevating, and to awaken in the soul devotion and gratitude to God. What a contrast between the ancient custom and the uses to which music is now too often devoted. How many employ this gift to exalt self, instead of using it to glorify God? A love for music leads the unwary to unite with world-lovers in pleasure-gatherings where God has forbidden his?children to go. Thus that which is a great blessing when rightly used, becomes one of the most successful agencies by which Satan allures the mind from duty and from the contemplation of eternal things. Music forms a part of God’s worship in the courts above, and we should endeavor, in our songs of praise, to approach as nearly as possible to the harmony of the heavenly choirs. The proper training of the voice is an important feature in education, and should not be neglected. Singing, as a part of religious service, is as much an act of worship as is prayer.—Christian Education, 62, 63.?{PH036 10.6}[53]
Music is often perverted to serve purposes of evil, and it thus becomes one of the most alluring agencies of temptation. But, rightly employed, it is a precious gift of God, designed to uplift the thoughts to high and noble themes, to inspire and elevate the soul.—Education, 167.?{PH036 11.1}[54]
Pray more than you sing.—Testimonies for the Church 1:513.?{PH036 11.2}[55]
Angels are hovering around yonder dwelling. The young are there assembled; there is the sound of vocal and instrumental music. Christians are gathered there, but what is that you hear? It is a song, a frivolous ditty, fit for the dance-hall. Behold the pure angels gather their light closer around them, and darkness envelops those in the dwelling. The angels are moving from the scene. Sadness is upon their countenances. Behold, they are weeping.... When turned to good account, music is a blessing, but it is often one of Satan’s most attractive agencies to ensnare souls. When abused, it leads the unconverted to pride, vanity, and folly. When allowed to take the place of devotion and prayer, it is a terrible curse.—Testimonies for the Church 1:506.?{PH036 11.3}[56]
Satan has put vile songs in your mouths, and these you have sung, making your lips utter his praise.—Special Testimonies.?{PH036 12.1}[57]
Mothers, instead of seeking to give your daughters a musical education, instruct them in these useful branches which have the closest connection with life and health.?Testimonies for the Church 2:538.?{PH036 12.2}[58]
No one who has an in-dwelling Saviour will dishonor him before others by producing strains from a musical instrument which call the mind from God and Heaven to light and trifling things.—Testimonies for the Church 1:510.?{PH036 12.3}[59]
搜索
