Many parents overrate the stability and good qualities of their children. They do not seem to consider that they will be exposed to the deceptive influences of vicious youth. Parents have their fears as they send them some distance away to school, but flatter themselves that, as they have had good examples and religious instruction, they will be true to principle in their high-school life. Many parents have but a faint idea to what extent licentiousness exists in these institutions of learning. In many cases the parents have labored hard and suffered many privations for the cherished object of having their children obtain a finished education. And after all their efforts, many have the bitter experience of receiving their children from their course of studies with dissolute habits and ruined constitutions. And frequently they are disrespectful to their parents, unthankful, and unholy. These abused parents, who are thus rewarded by ungrateful children, lament that they sent their childr…
"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners."
The EGW passage describes the corrupting influence of bad company on young people in educational settings. This aligns with the principle in 1 Corinthians 15:33 that 'evil communications corrupt good manners.' EGW provides a specific example of this principle in action.
"But there are those of firm principles who answer the expectation of parents and teachers. They go through the course of schooling with clear consciences and come forth with good constitutions and morals unstained by corrupting influences. But the number is few. 3T 149.2"
"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
Both passages highlight that only a few maintain their integrity and moral compass amidst widespread corruption. Matthew 7:14 speaks of the narrow way, and EGW speaks of the few who maintain firm principles. The connection is thematic, focusing on the rarity of those who remain righteous.
"Some students put their whole being into their studies and concentrate their mind upon the object of obtaining an education. They work the brain, but allow the physical powers to remain inactive. The brain is overworked, and the muscles become weak because they are not exercised. When these students graduate, it is evident that they have obtained their education at the expense of life. They have studied day and night, year after year, keeping their minds continually upon the stretch, while they have failed to sufficiently exercise their muscles. They sacrifice all for a knowledge of the sciences, and pass to their graves. 3T 149.3"
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s."
Both passages emphasize the importance of caring for the body as a temple of God. EGW applies this principle specifically to the context of education, warning against neglecting physical health in pursuit of academic achievement. The connection is strong and meaningful.