Special Testimonies on Church Schools

Schools

Christian Schools—One reason why it was necessary to establish institutions of our own was the fact that parents were not able to counteract the influence of the teaching their children were receiving in the public schools, and the error there taught was leading the youth into false paths. No stronger influence could be brought to bear upon the minds of the youth and children than that of those who were educating them in principles of science. For this reason it was evident that schools must be established in which our children should be instructed in the way of truth. In our schools it was specified that the youth were to be taught in the principles of Bible temperance, and every influence was to be brought to bear upon them that would tend to help them to shun the follies of this degenerate age, which were fast making the world as a second Sodom. PH081 12.1

Evils of the Secular School—In our institutions of learning there was to be exerted an influence that would counteract the influence of the world, and give no encouragement to indulgence in appetite, in selfish gratification of the senses, in pride, ambition, love of dress and display, love of praise and flattery, and strife for high rewards and honors as a recompense for good scholarship. All this was to be discouraged in our schools. It would be impossible to avoid these things, and yet send them to the public schools, where they would daily be brought in contact with that which would contaminate their morals. All through the world there was so great a neglect of home training that the children found at the public schools, for the most part, were profligate, and steeped in vice.—The Review and Herald, January 9, 1894. PH081 12.2

In the system of education used in the common schools the most essential part of the education is neglected; it is as follows; viz., religion of the Bible.—Test. No. 31, p. 24. PH081 13.1

For the Children—My subject principally was that the smaller children should not be neglected. This work is fully as essential as the work for the older pupils. For many years my attention has been called to this phase of work. Schools should be established where children should receive proper education. From the teachers in the public schools, they receive ideas that are opposed to the truth. But further than this, they receive a wrong education by associating with children that have no training, that are left to obtain a street education. Satan uses these children to educate children that are more carefully brought up. Before Sabbath-keeping parents know what evil is being done, the lessons of depravity are learned. The souls of their children are corrupted. PH081 13.2

This subject has long been neglected. The first seven or ten years of a child's life is the time when lasting impressions for good or for evil are made. What is education? The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The child should be educated to receive the truth in the heart. It should be given instruction which will lead it to see what constitutes sin. It should be taught that all sin is an offense toward God. The heart should be carefully guarded; for by giving the life of His dear Son, God has purchased the soul of every child. He would have the precious life that has been redeemed by Jesus Christ, molded and fashioned after the similitude of a palace, that Christ may be enshrined as the king of the soul. PH081 13.3

Church Schools—Is obedience to all the commandments of God taught the children in their very first lesson? Is sin represented as an offense toward God? I would rather that children grow up in a degree of ignorance of school education as it is today, and employ some other means to teach them. But in this country many parents are compelled to send their children to school. Therefore, in localities where there is a church, a school should be established, if there are no more than six children to attend. A teacher should be employed who will educate the children in the truths of the word of God, which are so essential for these last days, and which it is so important for them to understand. A great test is coming; it will be upon obedience or disobedience to the commandments of God. Intemperance is seen everywhere, disregard for the law of God, rioting, and drunkenness prevail.—Private Test., May 6, 1897. PH081 14.1

Conference Schools—Wherever there are a few Sabbath-schools, let the parents unite together in providing a place for a day school where the children of the various Sabbath-schools can come together. Let them employ a Christian teacher, who, as a consecrated missionary, shall educate the children in such a way as to lead them to become missionaries themselves. Work while it is day, for the night cometh in which no man can work. Parents must gird on the armor, and by their own example, they must teach their children to be missionaries. Let the parents put forth unselfish efforts, and the Lord will work with their efforts as they perseveringly teach their children to bear responsibilities. As the children practise the Bible lessons, they will receive an education of the highest value. Wherever there are Sabbath-keepers, there is a missionary field. PH081 14.2

Home Schools—If parents are not able to send their children to school, let them hire an exemplary, religious teacher who will feel it a pleasure to work for the Master in any capacity, who will be willing to cultivate any part of the Lord's vineyard. Let mothers and fathers co-operate with the teachers, and devote an hour daily to study, becoming learners with the children. Make the educating hour one of pleasure and importance, and your confidence will increase in the method of seeking for the salvation of your children. Your own spiritual growth will be more rapid as you learn to work for them. As you work in a humble way, unbelief will disappear. Faith and activity will impart to your experience ardor, assurance, and satisfaction that will increase day by day as you follow on to know the Lord, and to make him known. Your prayers will become earnest. You will have some real object for which to pray. PH081 15.1

If people would encourage the church in which they are members to establish small, humble school buildings, in which to do service for God, they would accommodate their own children within their borders.—P. C., February 2, 1895. PH081 15.2

We should have primary schools in different localities to prepare our youth for our higher schools.—Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers 6:58. PH081 15.3

Church and Home Schools—The mother should be the teacher, and home the school where every child receives his first lessons; and these lessons should include habits of industry. Mothers, let the little ones play in the open air; let them listen to the songs of the birds, and learn the love of God as expressed in his beautiful works. Teach them simple lessons from the book of nature and the things about them; and as their minds expand, lessons from books may be added, and firmly fixed in the memory. But let them also learn, even in their earliest years, to be useful. Train them to think that, as members of the household, they are to act an interested, helpful part in sharing the domestic burdens, and to seek [healthful] exercise in the performance of necessary home duties. PH081 16.1

It is essential for parents to find useful employment for their children, which will involve the bearing of responsibilities as their age and strength will permit. The children should be given something to do that will not only keep them busy, but interests them. The active hands and brains must be employed from the earliest years. If parents neglect to turn their children's energies into useful channels they do them great injury; for Satan is ready to find them something to do. Shall not the doing be chosen for them, the parents being the instructors? PH081 16.2

Co-operation of Parents and Teacher—When the child is old enough to be sent to school, the teacher should co-operate with the parents, and manual training should be continued as a part of his school duties. There are many students who object to this kind of work in the school. They think useful employment, like learning a trade, degrading; but such persons have an incorrect idea of what constitutes true dignity. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is One with the Father, the Commander in the heavenly courts, was the personal instructor and guide of the children of Israel; and among them it was required that every youth should learn how to work. All were to be educated in some business line, that they might possess a knowledge of practical life and be not only self-sustaining, but useful. This was the instruction which God gave to his people.—Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers 6:37, 38. PH081 16.3

The approval of God rests with loving assurance upon the children who cheerfully take their part in the duties of domestic life, sharing the burdens of father and mother. They will be rewarded with health of body and peace of mind; and they will enjoy the pleasure of seeing their parents take their share of social enjoyment and healthful recreation, thus prolonging their lives. Children trained to the practical duties of life, will go out from the home to be useful members of society. Their education is far superior to that gained by close confinement in the school-room at an early age, when neither the mind nor the body is strong enough to endure the strain. PH081 17.1

The children and youth should have the lesson continually before them, at home and in the school, by precept and example, to be truthful, unselfish, and industrious. They should not be allowed to spend their time in idleness; their hands should not be folded in inaction. Parents and teachers should work for the accomplishment of this object—the development of all the powers and a formation of a right character; but when parents realize their responsibilities, there will be far less left for teachers to do in the training of their children.—Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers 6:41, 42. PH081 17.2