“There are some occupations which are not open to Christians.  They are not legitimate callings for the servant of God, and they can engage in them only at the peril of their souls, for through these occupations they are exposed to the miasmal influence of the world.  God desires not that His people should keep company with extortioners and robbers, even though they may wear an appearance of sanctity.  There are occupations in which it is impossible to work reform; for they are thoroughly bad, and that which can be said to those who persist in engaging in them, is ‘Depart, ye thieves.’ ”  1MR:210.

 

“By keeping separate from other nations, a great temptation to engage in their sinful practices, and rebel against God, would be removed from them.  They lost in a great measure their peculiar, holy character, by mingling with the nations around them.”  1SP:262; 3SG:297.

 

“Young visitors, who have not a parent’s watchful eye over them to see and correct their faults, often receive impressions which it will take months to remove.  I was referred to cases of parents who had good, obedient children, and who, having the utmost confidence in certain families, trusted their children to go from them at a distance to visit these friends.  From that time there was an entire change in the deportment and character of their children.  Formerly they were contented and happy at home, and had no great desire to be much in the company of other young persons.  When they return to their parents, restraint seems unjust, and home is like a prison to them.  Such unwise movements of parents decide the character of their children.

 

“By thus visiting, some children form attachments which prove their ruin in the end.  Parents, keep your children with you if you can, and watch them with the deepest solicitude.  When you let them visit at a distance from you, they feel that they are old enough to take care of and choose for themselves.  When the young are thus left to themselves, their conversation is often upon subjects which will not refine or elevate them, or increase their love for the things of religion.  The more they are permitted to visit, the greater will be their desire to go, and the less attractive will home seem to them.”  1T:402.

 

HERE IS THE ORIGINAL:  “[144] Impressions are often received by the young visitors, who have not a parent’s watchful eye over them to see and correct their faults, which will take months to do away.  I was referred to cases where parents have had good, obedient children, and have had the utmost confidence in certain families, and trusted their children to go from them at a distance to visit them, which has caused an entire change from that time in the deportment and character of their children.  Formerly they were contended and happy at home, and had no great desire to be much in the company of other young people.  When they return to their parents, restraint seems unjust, and home is like a prison to them.  Such unwise movements of parents decide the character of their children.

 

“Some children by thus visiting, form attachments which prove their ruin in the end.  Parents should keep their children with them if they can, and should watch them with the deepest solicitude.

 

“When you let your children visit away from you at a distance, they feel that they are old enough to take care of, and choose for themselves.  When the young are thus left to themselves, their conversation is often upon things which will not refine or elevate them, nor increase their love for the things of religion.  The more they are permitted to visit, the greater will be [145] their desire to go, and the less attractive will home be to them.”  4bSG:144-145.

 

“Keep company with the soundest Christians.  Choose not the pretentious instructors or pupils, but those who show the deepest piety, those who have a spirit of intelligence in the things of God.”  2SM:314; 21MR:61.

 

“We are not to locate ourselves where we will be forced into close relations with those who do not honor God.”  2SM:359.2.

 

“Many who do not hesitate to engage in active warfare for the Lord, are driven to deny their faith through the ridicule of their enemies.  They place themselves in the way of temptation by associating with those whom they should avoid.  They thus invite the enemy to tempt them, and are led to do and say that which they would never have been guilty of under other circumstances.”  3SP:112.

 

“A family picture was presented before me.  A part of the children seem anxious to learn and obey the requirements of the father, while the others trample upon his authority, and seem to exult in showing contempt of his family government.  They share the benefits of their father’s house, and are constantly receiving of his bounty.  They are wholly dependent upon him for all they receive, yet are not grateful, but conduct themselves proudly, as though all the favors they received of their indulgent parent were supplied by themselves.  The father notices all the disrespectful acts of his disobedient, ungrateful children, yet he bears with them.

 

“At length, these rebellious children go still further, and seek to influence and lead to rebellion those members of their father’s family who have hitherto been faithful.  Then all the dignity and authority of the father is called into action, and he expels from his house the rebellious children, who have not only abused his love and blessings themselves, but tried to subvert the remaining few who had submitted to the wise and judicious laws of their father’s household.

 

“For the sake of the few who are loyal, whose happiness was exposed to the seditious influence of the rebellious members of his household, he separates from his family his undutiful children, while at the same time he labors to bring closer to himself the remaining faithful and loyal ones.  All would honor the wise and just course of such a parent, in punishing most severely his undutiful, rebellious children.”  4aSG:51.

 

“I saw that decided efforts should be made to show those who are unchristian in their lives, their wrongs, and if they do not correct their lives, they should be separated from the precious and holy, that God may have a clean and pure people that he can delight in.  Dishonor Him not by linking the clean with the unclean.”  4bSG:5.

 

“It would be more pleasing to the Lord if lukewarm professors of religion had never named His Name.  They are a continual weight to those who would be faithful followers of Jesus.  They are a stumbling-block to unbelievers, and evil angels exult over them, and taunt the angels of God with their crooked course.  Such are a curse to the cause at home or abroad.  They draw nigh to God with their lips, while their heart is far from Him.”  4bSG:35.

 

“But a short acquaintance convinces those with whom they associate that an outside appearance is not sufficient to hide the deformity of a heart void of the Christian graces, but filled with self-love, haughtiness, and uncontrolled passion.  Those who love meekness, humility, and virtue, should shun such society, even if it be Sabbath-keepers’ children.  Their company is poisonous, their influence leads to death.  Parents realize not the destructive influence of the seed which they are sowing.  It will spring up and bear fruit which will make their children despise parental authority.”  4bSG:48.

 

“Satan works through young associates to influence and corrupt the minds of each other.  It is the most effectual way he can work.”  4bSG:131.

 

“Your mother is right in her estimate of the worth and character of Mattie.  She is right in not treating her with respect or inviting her to her house.  You are the one that is wrong, because you are dazed by the bewitching power of Satan. When your mother sees one exerting an influence over her son that is leading him to reject the counsel of God against himself, to treat with indifference all the counsel of church members who see his danger, how can she smile upon and invite such a one to her house?  How can she give the least sanction to this forward girl’s advances?  She had done her duty.”  4MR:225.

 

“After a long and severe conflict, the faithful few decided to dissolve all union with the apostate church if she still refused to free herself from falsehood and idolatry.  They saw that separation was an absolute necessity if they would obey the word of God.  They dared not tolerate errors fatal to their own souls, and set an example which would imperil the faith of their children and children’s children.  To secure peace and unity they were ready to make any concession consistent with fidelity to God; but they felt that even peace would be too dearly purchased at the sacrifice of principle.  If unity could be secured only by the compromise of truth and righteousness, then let there be difference, and even war.”  4SP:46.

 

“Do not yield your religious claims and privileges in order to gratify the wishes of your unconsecrated friends and relatives.  You are called to take your position for the truth, even if it should be in direct opposition to those who are closely connected with you.  God forbid that this last trial should ever come to you, to test and prove your integrity for the right.”  4T:117.

 

“Any one of the children of the Hebrews who was found in an Egyptian habitation was destroyed.”  6T:194.

 

“Whether or not our youth who have received wise instruction and training from godly parents will continue to be sanctified through the truth depends largely upon the influence that, after leaving their homes, they meet among those to whom they look for Christian instruction.”  8T:226.

 

“Can we wonder that children and youth drift into temptation and become educated in wrong lines where they are continually associating with other neglected children?  Can we wonder, neglected as they have been, that their energies become devoted to amusements which do them no good, that their religious aspirations are weakened, and their spiritual life darkened?”  AUCR, July 26, 1899.

 

“You pray, ‘Lead us not into temptation.’  Then do not consent for your children to be placed where they will meet unnecessary temptation.  Do not send them away to schools where they will be associated with influences that will be as tares sown in the field of their heart.”  CG:328.

 

“There is earnest work to be done for the children.  Before the overflowing scourge shall come upon all the dwellers on the earth, the Lord calls on those who are Israelites indeed to serve Him.  Gather your children into your own houses; gather them in from the classes who are voicing the words of Satan, who are disobeying the Commandments of God.  Let us in our educational work embrace far more of the children and youth, and there will be a whole army of missionaries raised up to work for God.”  FE:545.

 

“Every soul that gains eternal life must be like Christ, ‘holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners [HEB. 7:26].’  The followers of Christ must shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.”  GW:92.

 

“We have a special work to do in educating and training our children that they may not, either in attending school, or in association with others, mingle with the children of unbelievers.”  Letter 58, 1898, page 7. (To J. E. and Emma White, July 13, 1898.) 8MR:258.

 

“Your acquaintances who are utterly averse to spiritual things, are not refined, ennobled, and elevated by the practice of the truth.  They are not under the leadership of Christ, but under the black banner of the prince of darkness.  To associate with those who neither fear nor love God -- unless you associate with them for the purpose of winning them to Jesus -- will be a detriment to your spirituality.  If you cannot lift them up, their influence will tell upon you in corrupting and tainting your faith.  It is right for you to treat them kindly, but not well for you to love and choose their society; for if you choose the atmosphere that surrounds their souls, you will forfeit the companionship of Jesus.”  LYL:25.

 

“Parents, if you wish to save your children, separate them from the world, keep them from the company of wicked children; for if you suffer them to go with wicked children, you cannot prevent them from partaking of their wickedness and being corrupted.  It is your solemn duty to watch over your children, to choose the society at all times for them.”  RH, September 19, 1854; RH, October 14, 1875; RH, March 28, 1893.

 

“Whosoever will come after Me, and will be My disciple, let him take up his cross and follow Me.  Here is the cross of self-denial and sacrifice; to separate in your affections here from those who will not yield to the claims of truth.  Is this too great a sacrifice to make for Him Who sacrificed all for you?  Here are the conditions specified by God.  If we comply, He says to us, I will be a Father unto you, and will receive you, and ye shall be sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty, members of the royal family, children of the Heavenly King, and heirs of an immortal inheritance that is incorruptible, and that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven for you.”  RH, April 19, 1870, paragraph 7.

 

“But a short acquaintance convinces those with whom they associate that an outside appearance is not sufficient to hide the deformity of a heart void of the Christian graces, but filled with self-love, haughtiness and uncontrolled passion.  Those who love meekness, humility, and virtue, should shun such society, even if it be Sabbath-keepers’ children.  Their company is poisonous; their influence leads to death.  Parents realize not the destructive influence of the seed which they are sowing.  It will spring up, and bear fruit which will make their children despise parental authority.”  RH, April 11, 1871.

 

“The great adversary finds ready access to those whom he has controlled in the past, and through them he accomplishes his purpose.  The association of the God-fearing with the unbelieving in these societies {book clubs; but any “society” would work here were the same principles apply} does not make saints of sinners.  For a short time, there may be nothing seriously objectionable, but minds that have not been brought under the control of the Spirit of Christ will not take readily to those things which savor of truth and righteousness.  If they had heretofore had any relish for spiritual things, they would have placed themselves in the ranks of Jesus Christ.  The two classes are controlled by different masters, and are opposites in their purposes, hopes, tastes, and desires.  The followers of Jesus enjoy sober, sensible, and ennobling themes, while those who have no love for sacred things cannot take pleasure in these gatherings, unless the superficial and unreal shall make a prominent feature in the exercises.”  RH, January 4, 1881.

 

“The power of example is very great.  If you fail to select proper society for your children, and allow them to associate with persons of questionable morals, you place them or permit them, to place themselves, in a school where lessons of depravity will be taught and practiced.  You may feel that your children are strong enough to withstand temptation; but how can you be sure of this?  It is far easier to yield to evil influences than to resist them.  Ere you are aware of it, your children may become imbued with the spirit of their associates, and may be degraded and ruined.  Fathers and mothers, it is your duty to give more earnest and careful attention to your children.  Guard their principles and their habits as the apple of your eye.  Allow them to associate with no one with whose character you are not well acquainted.  Permit them to form no intimacy until you are assured that it will do them no harm.”  RH, September 13, 1881.

 

“But while the servant of Christ should seek with all patience and love to save sinners, he should on no account give license to sin.  He must not allow his perceptions to be dulled by contact with iniquity, or his judgment to be perverted by the world’s opinion.  By excusing and palliating sin, we lose a sense of its heinous character.  Compassion for the erring should not degenerate into indulgence for transgression.  In order to preserve the safe mean, the Christian must add to patience godliness.  Then he will see as God sees.”  RH, December 20, 1881 paragraph 19.

 

“God has made us the repositories of His law, and has intrusted us with truths in advance of every other people upon the earth; yet we are not obeying the injunction to come out from the world and be separate.  We cannot in any degree form a union with the ungodly without becoming contaminated by their unholy customs.  ‘Whosoever will be the friend of the world, is the enemy of God.’  The separation must be final, complete, unmistakable.”  RH, July 18, 1882, paragraph 20.

 

“These high examples should teach us to avoid evil influences, and shun the society of those who do not live aright.  We should not flatter ourselves that we are too strong for such influences to affect us, but we should, in humility, guard ourselves from danger.”  RH, November 14, 1882.

 

“If we would have our children pure and elevated in character, we must see that their daily associates are what they should be.  If children have companions who are noble and true, in most cases they themselves will become noble and true.  They should have companions who will not ridicule what is pure and worthy, but will rather advocate what is right.  The fear of ridicule leads many a youth to yield to temptation, and to walk in the way of the ungodly.  Mothers may do much by example as well as by precept to show their children how to be upright amid scorn and ridicule.  But too often mothers show a morbid sensitiveness as to what others may think of their habits, dress, and opinions, and, to a great extent, they are slaves to the thought of how others may regard them.  Is it not a sad thing that judgment-bound creatures should be controlled more by the thought of what their neighbors will think of them than by the thought of their obligation to God?  We too often sacrifice the truth in order to be in harmony with custom, that we may avoid ridicule.  We do not carry all our burdens to the Lord, but craving human sympathy, we lean on broken reeds, seek to drink from broken cisterns that can hold no water.”  RH, March 31, 1891.

 

“In order to give them instruction in regard to the claims of the law of Jehovah, it is necessary that we separate our children from worldly associations and influences, and keep before them the Scriptures of truth, by educating them line upon line, and precept upon precept, that they may not prove disloyal to God.”  RH, January 9, 1894.

 

“Those who believed when Noah began to build the ark, lost their faith through association with unbelievers who aroused all the old passion for amusement and display.  RH, September 15, 1904.

 

“The principles set forth in Deuteronomy for the instruction of Israel, are to be followed by God’s people to the end of time.  Our prosperity is dependent on the continuance of our covenant relationship with God.  In no instance can we afford to compromise principle by entering into covenant with those who fear not God.”  RH, April 25, 1907; PK:570.

 

“No confederacy should be formed with unbelievers. . . We are not to hear the counsel or follow the plans suggested by unbelievers.  Suggestions made by those who know not the work that God is doing for this time, will be such as to weaken the power of the instrumentalities of God.  By accepting such suggestions, the counsel of Christ is set at naught.”  SpTA02b:111.

 

“We cannot be too jealous of ourselves, lest by associating with worldlings we fall into the same habits.  It was for this reason that the Israelites were commanded to dwell alone, as a people separate from all other nations.  The friendship of the Lord’s enemies is more to be dreaded than their enmity; for Satan is constantly working through pleasing, intelligent unbelievers, to tempt the people of God to sin.”  ST, December 30, 1880.

 

“It is not safe for Christians to choose the society of those who have no connection with God, and whose course is displeasing to Him.  Yet how many professed Christians venture upon the forbidden ground.  Many invite to their homes relatives who are vain, trifling, and ungodly; and often the example and influence of these irreligious visitors produce lasting impressions upon the minds of the children in the household.  The influence thus exerted is similar to that which resulted from the association of the Hebrews with the godless Canaanites.

 

“God holds the parents accountable for disregarding His Command to separate themselves and their families from these unholy influences.  While we must live in the world, we are not to be of the world.  We are forbidden to conform to its practices and fashions.  The friendship of the ungodly is more dangerous than their enmity.  It misleads and destroys thousands who might, by a proper and holy example, be led to become children of God.  The minds of the young are thus made familiar with irreligion, vanity, ungodliness, pride, and immorality, and the heart not shielded by Divine grace, gradually becomes corrupted.  Almost imperceptibly, the youth learn to love the tainted atmosphere surrounding the ungodly.  Evil angels gather about them, and they lose their relish for that which is pure, refined, and ennobling.

 

“Professed Christian parents will pay the greatest deference to their worldly and irreligious guests, while these very persons are leading the children of those who pay them so much polite attention, away from sobriety and from religion.  The youth may be trying to lead a religious life, but the parents have invited the tempter into their household, and he weaves his net about the children.  Old and young become absorbed in questionable enjoyments, and the excitement of worldly pleasure.

 

“Many feel that they must make some concessions to please their irreligious relatives and friends.  As it is not always easy to draw the line, one concession prepares the way for another, until those who were once true followers of Christ, are in life and character conformed to the customs of the world.  The connection with God is broken.  They are Christians in name only.  When the test hour comes, then their hope is seen to be without foundation.  They have sold themselves and their children to the enemy.  They have dishonored God,” ST, June 2, 1881 (pages 231-232).

 

“Those temptations are most dangerous which come from the professed servants of God, and from our friends.  When persons who are uniting with the world, yet claiming great piety and love, counsel the faithful workers for God to be less zealous and more conservative, our answer must be an appeal to the Word of God.  When they plead for union with those who have been our determined opposers, we should fear and shun them as decidedly as did Nehemiah.  Those who would lead away from the old landmarks to form a connection with the ungodly, cannot be sent of Heaven.  Whatever may have been their former position, their present course tends to unsettle the faith of God’s people. [par. 14]

 

“Such counselors are prompted by Satan.  They are time-servers.  The testimonies, reproofs, and warnings of God’s servants are unpalatable to them, being a reproof to their worldly, pleasure-loving propensities.  We should shun this class as resolutely as did Nehemiah.”  ST, January 3, 1884 paragraph 14 & 15; SW, May 24, 1904.

 

“Individually the youth should seek for association with those who are toiling upward with unfaltering steps.  They should shun the society of those who are absorbing every evil influence, who are inactive and without earnest desire for attainment of a high standard of character, who cannot be relied upon as persons who will be true to principle.  Let the youth be found in association with those who fear and love God. . .”  YI, January 5, 1893.

 

“The smallest and the weakest may place themselves under the very best influences, and receive strength and obtain right impressions, and be able to shun the society of those whom they know they cannot benefit, and who will tempt them to do evil.  You cannot have faith that the Lord will keep you by his lovingkindness, and by His truth continually preserve you, when you do not place yourselves in the channel of light.  Then shun bad companions, and choose the good.”  YI, February 9, 1893.

 

“It is not safe for the professed follower of Christ to associate with the careless and reckless; for it is an easy matter to come to view things as they do, and to lose all sense of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.  Guard yourself on this one point in particular, -- do not be influenced and led astray by those you have reason to know, by their words and works, are not in connection with God.”  YI, July 5, 1894.

 

“Even if they have to walk as did Enoch, -- with God alone, -- His children must separate from those who do not obey him, who show that they are not in vital connection with Him.”  YI, April 28, 1898.

 

“When Christ accompanied His parents to one of the yearly feasts at Jerusalem, He did not keep company with the light and trifling children and youth who were to be found among the people.”  YI, August 30, 1894.