Many think that in order to obtain an education
it is necessary to study the productions of writers who teach
infidelity, because their works contain some bright gems of thought.
But who was the originator of these gems of thought? It was God,
and God alone. He is the source of all light. Why should we wade
through the mass of error contained in the works of pagans and
infidels, for the sake of a few intellectual truths, when all
truth is at our command?
There is a reason why these men sometimes
display remarkable wisdom. Satan himself was educated in the
heavenly courts, and he has a knowledge of good as well as of
evil. He mingles the precious with the vile, and this is what
gives him power to deceive. But because Satan has robed himself
in garments of heavenly brightness, shall we receive him as an
angel of light? The tempter has his agents, educated according
to his methods, inspired by his spirit, and adapted to his work.
Shall we co-operate with them? Shall we receive the works of
his agents as essential to the acquirement of an education?
"Who can bring a clean thing out of
an unclean? not one." Job 14:4. Can we then expect the youth
to maintain Christian principles and to develop Christian character
while their education is largely influenced by the teachings
of pagans, atheists, and infidels?
If the time and effort spent in seeking
to grasp the bright ideas of infidels were given to studying
the precious things in the word of God, thousands who now sit
in darkness and in the shadow of death would be rejoicing in
the glory of the Light of life.