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Counsels for the Church - Ellen G. White

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children in <strong>the</strong> nurture and admonition of <strong>the</strong> Lord. Let <strong>the</strong> life and<br />

character of Christ be presented as <strong>the</strong> pattern <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>m to copy. If <strong>the</strong>y<br />

err, read to <strong>the</strong>m what <strong>the</strong> Lord has said concerning similar sins. There is<br />

need of constant care and diligence in this work. One wrong trait<br />

tolerated by parents, uncorrected by teachers, may cause <strong>the</strong> whole<br />

character to become de<strong>for</strong>med and unbalanced. Teach <strong>the</strong> children that<br />

<strong>the</strong>y must have a new heart; that new tastes must be created, new<br />

motives inspired. They must have help from Christ; <strong>the</strong>y must become<br />

acquainted with <strong>the</strong> character of God as revealed in His Word.<br />

Divine Enlightenment Is Promised <strong>the</strong> Reader<br />

The Word of God, like <strong>the</strong> character of its divine Author, presents<br />

mysteries which can never be fully comprehended by finite beings. It<br />

directs our minds to <strong>the</strong> Creator, who dwelleth "in <strong>the</strong> light which no<br />

man can approach unto." 1 Timothy 6:16. It presents to us His purposes,<br />

which embrace all <strong>the</strong> ages of human history, and which will reach <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

fulfillment only in <strong>the</strong> endless cycles of eternity. It calls our attention to<br />

subjects of infinite depth and importance relating to <strong>the</strong> government of<br />

God and <strong>the</strong> destiny of man. The entrance of sin into <strong>the</strong> world, <strong>the</strong><br />

incarnation of Christ, regeneration, <strong>the</strong> resurrection, and many o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

subjects presented in <strong>the</strong> Bible, are mysteries too deep <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> human<br />

mind to explain or even to fully comprehend. But God has given us in<br />

<strong>the</strong> Scriptures sufficient evidence of <strong>the</strong>ir divine character, and we are<br />

not to doubt His word because we cannot understand all <strong>the</strong> mysteries of<br />

His providence.<br />

If it were possible <strong>for</strong> created beings to attain to a full understanding<br />

of God and His works, <strong>the</strong>n, having reached this point, <strong>the</strong>re would be<br />

<strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>m no fur<strong>the</strong>r discovery of truth, no growth in knowledge, no<br />

fur<strong>the</strong>r development of mind or heart. God would no longer be supreme;<br />

and men, having reached <strong>the</strong> limit of knowledge and attainment, would<br />

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