Testimony Treasures, Volume 2 - Ellen G. White

Christ did not refuse to mingle with others in friendly intercourse. When
invited to a feast by Pharisee or publican, He accepted the invitation. On
such occasions every word that He uttered was a savor of life unto life to His
hearers; for He made the dinner hour an occasion of imparting many
precious lessons adapted to their needs. Christ thus taught His disciples how
to conduct themselves when in the company of those who were not religious
as well as of those who were. By His own example He taught them that,
when attending any public gathering, their conversation need not be of the
same character as that usually indulged in on such occasions.
When students sit at the table, if Christ is abiding in the soul there will
come forth from the treasure house of the heart words which are pure and
uplifting; if Christ is not abiding there, a satisfaction will be found in
frivolity, in jesting and joking, which is a hindrance to spiritual growth and a
cause of grief to the angels of God. The tongue is an unruly member, but it
should not be so. It should be converted; for the talent of speech is a very
precious talent. Christ is ever ready to impart of His riches, and we should
gather the jewels that come from Him, that, when we speak, these jewels
may drop from our lips.
The temper, the personal peculiarities, the habits from which character is
developed--everything practiced in the home will reveal itself in all the
associations of life. The inclinations followed will work out in thoughts, in
words, in acts of the same character. If every student composing the school
family would make an effort to restrain all unkind and uncourteous words,
and speak with respect to all; if he would bear in mind that he is preparing to
become a member of the heavenly family; if he would guard his influence by
sacred sentinels, that it should not scatter away from Christ; if he would
endeavor to have every act of his life show forth the praises of Him who has
called him out of darkness into His marvelous light, what a reformatory
influence would go forth from every school home!
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