Since most of us here at the Ellen White Research Center are young, I thought it would be interesting to do a search in Ellen White’s writings on the word “youth.”
I fired up the search program, set it return 200 documents, typed in “youth”, and clicked on the Process Query button.
Here’s some interesting quotes.
Christian Service, page 30, paragraph 4
Youthful talent, well organized and well trained, is needed in our churches.
The youth will do something with their overflowing energies. Unless these energies are directed into right channels, they will be used by the youth in a way that will hurt their own spirituality, and prove an injury to those with whom they associate.
It’s important for youth not to just come to church programs but also to do active ministry. The youth have a lot of energy.
Therefore, churches must have opportunities for youth to do ministry or else the youth will spend their energy in ungodly activities.
My Life Today, page 122, paragraph 5
The youth who are consecrated to God sway a mighty influence for good.
Preachers or laymen advanced in years cannot have one half the influence for good upon the young that the youth, if devoted to God, can have upon their associates.
Let us love, encourage, mentor, teach, and train Christian young people, so they can more effectively reach out to their unbelieving peers.
Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1, page 281, paragraph 1
The youth are receptive, fresh, ardent, hopeful. When once they have tasted the blessedness of self-sacrifice, they will not be satisfied unless they are constantly learning of the Great Teacher. The Lord will open ways before those who will respond to His call.
Let us teach the youth the joy and “blessedness of self-sacrifice.” Let us show the youth that living for Jesus and others is the most meaningful lifestyle. Let us give the youth opportunities to experience selfless living.
Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1, page 294, paragraph 1
The hearts of youth are now like impressible wax, and you may lead them to admire the Christian character; but in a few years the wax may become granite.
We have a great but small window of time to influence the youth. Let us not be lazy but prayerfully, fixing our eyes on Jesus, let us intentionally serve and teach our youth.
In word and deed, let us show them God’s love for us sinners in the perfect life and sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 response so far ↓
Mary Ann // Nov 2, 2006 at 7:51 am
Dee, What great quotes!
I’m sure you noticed in your search that there are almost 3000 documents about or to the youth in Ellen White’s published writings. She loved youth, and her last testimony was written to the youth just a few months before her death at age 87. See Messages to Young People, pages 287-289.
Here are a couple of quotes from that testimony:
“Tell our young people that I want my words to encourage them . . .”
“If I am spared for further labor, I should gladly help to prepare books for the young.”
“It is my sincere wish for our young people that they find the true meaning of justification by faith . . . “
She ends her final message with two challenges, one from her, and one from God:
“I want that you should do all you can to have my writings placed in the hands of the people in foreign lands.”
“God wants (the youth) to make earnest efforts to get the truth before the people. I am impressed that it is my special duty to say these things.”
And then, in her book, Education, page 271, she speaks of the youth as “co-workers with the angels.” She describes them as “human agencies through whom the angels accomplish their mission. Angels speak through their voices, and work by their hands.” She explains that these youth “have the benefit” of the angels’ “education and experience.”
Finally she drives her point home:
“As a means of education, what ‘university course’ can equal this?
“With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen , and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world!”
Thanks, Dee, for blogging on.
Leave a Comment