Home and Church School Manual

Support of Church Schools

Building for the church school

“There were workingmen before me, building humble houses of worship. Those newly come to the faith were helping with willing hands, and those who had means were assisting with their means. The very thing was being done that should have been done years ago. I viewed the work advancing. In the basement of the church, above ground, room was provided for a school where the children could be educated. Teachers were selected to go to this place. The numbers in the schools were not large, but it was a happy beginning.”—P. C. PH140 46.2

Duty of the wealthy

“The wealthy man or woman converted to God will begin to comprehend what good may be done with intrusted capital. They will see that institutions are established for the education of the youth, and that they are sustained by gifts and offerings. They will know that many youth must be trained for the missionary field, and the wealthy will become agents in the hands of God to set in operation the instrumentalities whereby men and women may become enlightened.”—The Review and Herald, September 19, 1893. PH140 47.1

“In America you can build three school-houses cheaper than we can build one in this country (Australia). It is a grievous offense to God that there has been such great neglect to make provision for the improvement of children and youth when Providence has so abundantly supplied us with facilities with which to work.”—December 15, 1897. PH140 47.2

All should help

“In localities where believers are few, let two or three churches unite in erecting humble church school buildings. Let all share the expense. It is high time for Sabbath-keepers to separate their children from worldly associations, and place them under the very best teachers, who will make the Bible the foundation of all study.”—October 24, 1899. PH140 47.3

“If there are some who cannot give personal effort in missionary work, let them live economically, and give of their earnings.... They can help pay the expenses of students who are fitting for missionary work.”—Testimonies for the Church 5:732. PH140 48.1

“The churches should feel it a privilege to defray their (poor students) expenses.”—Testimonies for the Church 5:556. PH140 48.2

Donations should be made

“If there are those who should have the benefit of the school, but who can not pay full price for their tuition, let the churches in our conferences show their liberality by helping them. This is an important subject, and calls not for a narrow calculation, but for a thorough investigation... Debts must not be allowed to accumulate. We must have help with which to carry on our schools. It will be so much better to make donations now to lessen the principal, thus lessening the interest to be paid.”—P. C. PH140 48.3

Education of children comes before any other missionary enterprise

“Let the church carry a burden for the lambs of the flock in its locality, and see how many can be educated and trained to do service for God.” PH140 48.4

“Shall members of the church give means to advance the cause of Christ among others, and then let their own children carry on the work and service of Satan? What the Lord Jesus expects in all believers is something besides being occupied and active; this activity should be trained in Christ's lines. God requires wholeness of service.” PH140 48.5

“The church is asleep and does not realize the magnitude of this matter of educating the children and youth...... The church should take in the situation, and by their influence and means seek to bring about the much-desired end. Let a fund be created by generous contributions for the establishment of schools for the advancement of educational work.”—Special Testimonies on Education, 200. PH140 49.1