It is God that has given life and every physical and mental endowment they possess. He has bestowed upon them capabilities for wise improvement, that they may be entrusted with a work which will be as enduring as eternity. In return for His great gifts He claims a due cultivation and exercise of their intellectual and moral faculties. He did not give them these faculties merely for their amusement, or to be abused in working against His will and His providence, but that they might use them to advance the knowledge of truth and holiness in the world. He claims their gratitude, their veneration and love, for His continued kindness and infinite mercies. He justly requires obedience to His laws and to all wise regulations which will restrain and guard the youth from Satan’s devices and lead them in paths of peace. If youth could see that in complying with the laws and regulations of our institutions they are only doing that which will improve their standing in society, elevate the character, ennoble the mind, and increase their happiness, they would not rebel against just rules and wholesome requirements, nor engage in creating suspicion and prejudice against these institutions. Our youth should have a spirit of energy and fidelity to meet the demands upon them, and this will be a guaranty of success. The wild, reckless character of many of the youth in this age of the world is heartsickening. Much of the blame lies upon their parents at home. Without the fear of God no one can be truly happy. {4T 434.2}

Gud er den, der har skænket livet og hvert fysisk og åndeligt anlæg, som de ejer. Han har udrustet dem med evner, for at de klogt kan udnytte dem i den gerning, der vil blive lige så varig som evigheden. må kunne, betros dem. Til gengæld for sine store gaver kræver han en rigtig udvikling og anvendelse af deres intellektuelle og moralske evner. Han gav dem ikke disse evner blot til deres fornøjelse, eller for at de skulle misbruges til at modarbejde hans vilje og hans forsyn, men for at de skulle benyttes til at fremme kundskab om sandhed og hellighed i verden. Han stiller krav om deres taknemmelighed, deres højagtelse og kærlighed for hans uophørlige godhed og uendelige velgerninger. Med rette Kræver han lydighed mod sine love og mod alle vise forskrifter, der vil tøjle de unge, værne dem mod Satans anslag og lede dem på fredens stier. Hvis de unge kunne indse, at de ved at overholde vore institutioners påbud og reglementer kun gør, hvad der vil fremme deres, anseelse i samfundet, højne karakteren, forædle sindet og forøge deres lykke, ville de ikke modsætte sig retfærdige regler og gavnlige krav, ej heller give sig af med at skabe mistænksomhed og fordom mod disse institutioner. Vor ungdom bør være besjælet af energi og troskab i at efterkomme (435) de fordringer, der stilles til dem og dette vil være en garanti for fremgang. Den vilde, hensynsløse karakter hos, mange af de unge i denne tid kan gøre en syg om hjertet. En stor del af skylden ligger hos forældrene i hjemmet. Uden gudsfrygt kan ingen være virkelig lykkelig. samme s 443-444]