Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students - Ellen G. White

intellect at the expense of the moral and the
spiritual. And it is only by the harmonious
development of both the mental and the moral
faculties that the highest perfection of either can be
attained. Are these results secured by literary
societies as they are generally conducted?
Literary societies are almost universally
exerting an influence contrary to that which the
name indicates. As generally conducted they are an
injury to the youth, for Satan comes in to put his
stamp upon the exercises. All that makes men
manly or women womanly is reflected from the
character of Christ. The less we have of Christ in
such societies, the less we have of the elevating,
refining, ennobling element which should prevail.
When worldlings conduct these meetings to meet
their wishes, the spirit of Christ is excluded. The
mind is drawn away from serious reflection, away
from God, away from the real and substantial, to
the imaginary and the superficial. Literary
societies--would that the name expressed their true
character! What is the chaff to the wheat?
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