General Conference Bulletin, vol. 3

CHURCH SCHOOLS

L. A. HOOPES

The instruction that has been coming to us of late from the Spirit of the Lord has laid stress upon the educational work, and especially that of the church schools. On pages 129 and 159 of the Daily Bulletin are articles from the pen of Mrs. E. G. White on this subject. In these articles the statement is made that there should be schools established wherever there is a church or company of believers. This means that far more attention is to be given to this question than heretofore. There is a greater work to be done for the children and youth than we have taken hold of in the past. It is true, the Sabbath-schools have done, and are doing, a grand and noble work; but it could hardly be expected that the Sabbath-schools can do in an hour and a quarter each week what the day-schools can do thirty hours. GCB January 1, 1899, page 7.1

Our school work is to be on the plan of the schools of the prophets. The instruction that the youth are to receive is to be of a character that will prepare them to be missionaries, to have a love for the truths of the Bible, and to beget in them a love for perishing humanity. In view of this, it must be very apparent that there is to be a work that must be done for our children that they will never receive in the public schools. The children are to be educated to know God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent. They are to be instilled with the thought that they must obey God supremely; that obedience to their parents is a part of the divine law; that the transgression of the law is sin, and debars them from heaven. They must also be taught that God is a tender, compassionate Father, one who longs to forgive them of their transgression. They must be taught to confess their sins to God, and then believe that God, for Christ’s sake, forgives their transgression. They must be taught that they are members of God’s family, and that God has an interest in them individually; that sin in whatever form is to be hated and shunned. GCB January 1, 1899, page 7.2

Our children and youth are to have experiences for themselves, and are to be witnesses for the truth. It is hardly possible for them to have this preparation if they receive their education and training in the popular schools of the day. GCB January 1, 1899, page 7.3

In the articles above referred to, this statement is made: “When a company of believers is raised up, careful provision should be made for the stability and permanence of the work. A house of worship will be needed, and a school, where Bible instruction may be given to the children. The workers should never leave their field of labor until a meeting-house has been built, and a school room and teacher provided.” GCB January 1, 1899, page 7.4

What should be done in new companies could certainly be done with greater ease in companies that are firmly established. But the Lord has said that “there should be schools established wherever there is a church or company of believers.” Evidently a plan is contemplated that can be carried out in all our churches; for the Lord would not give instruction on this point, and then fail to supply the means for carrying on the school. GCB January 1, 1899, page 7.5

It may be argued that we do not have the teachers sufficiently prepared to conduct schools in all our churches. This certainly is a live question, and should receive the most careful consideration. It is true, that the teachers of these schools should be thorough missionaries, imbued with the missionary spirit, or they never can impart to the students that knowledge. The apostle Paul, in his letters to the Corinthians and the Ephesians, has placed the gift of teachers among the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which belong in the church. We feel confident that the Lord will not be frustrated in this undertaking; that in this large army of people who have embraced the most important message that has ever gone to the world, he will have those who are either prepared, or will in a little while be fitted, to take up this church school work. GCB January 1, 1899, page 7.6

The true education that our children should receive should be studied by their parents more than it has been in the past. If we could see this subject in its relation to the eternal interests of our children, we certainly would see the real need that exists in the educational work of our youth. We would be surprised to see how little is done by many parents to save their own children. Parents occupy a far more responsible position to their children than any other persons in the world. They are “to consider that they are in the place of God to their children, to encourage every right principle, and repress every wrong thought.” GCB January 1, 1899, page 7.7

We are not left to conjecture what is duty in this matter. The Lord has said that we should have schools for our children. He has described the character and qualifications of the teachers, and has placed upon the church the responsibility of maintaining these schools. We can not believe that this would be so specifically mapped out if the Lord did not have the facilities for carrying on the work. These schools must be planned on a different basis than the public school system. The Bible is to be the foundation of all the school work. GCB January 1, 1899, page 7.8

We here quote from a Testimony regarding the work of church schools, written in December, 1897: “By lessons from the Bible history and doctrine, the children and youth can learn that all other books are inferior to this. They can find here a fountain of mercy and of love. GCB January 1, 1899, page 8.1

“God’s holy, educating spirit is in his word. A light, a new and precious light, shines forth upon every page. Truth is there revealed, and words and sentences are made bright and appropriate for the occasion, as the voice of God speaking to them. GCB January 1, 1899, page 8.2

“We need to recognize the Holy Spirit as our enlightener. That Spirit loves to address the children, and discover to them the treasures and beauties of the word of God. The promises spoken by the Great Teacher will captivate the senses and animate the soul of the child with a spiritual power that is divine. There will grow in the fruitful a familiarity with divine things which will be as a barricade against the temptations of the enemy. GCB January 1, 1899, page 8.3

“The work of teachers is an important one. They should make the word of God their meditation. God will communicate by his own Spirit to the soul. Pray as you study, ‘Lord, open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.’ When the teacher will rely upon God in prayer, the Spirit of Christ will come upon him, and God will work through him by the Holy Spirit upon the mind of the student. The Holy Spirit fills the mind and heart with sweet hope, and courage, and Bible imagery, and this will be communicated to the student, the words of truth will grow in importance, and assume a breadth and fullness of meaning of which you have never dreamed. The beauty and virtue of the word of God has a transforming influence upon mind and character; the sparks of heavenly love will fall upon the hearts of the children as an inspiration. We may bring hundreds and thousands of children to Christ if we will work for them. GCB January 1, 1899, page 8.4

“Let all to whom these words may come be melted and subdued. Let us in our educational work embrace far more than we have done, of the children and youth, and there will be a whole army of missionaries raised up to work for God. I say again, Establish schools for the children where there are churches,—those who assemble to worship God. Where there are churches, let there be schools. Work as if you were working for your life to save children from being drowned in the polluting, corrupting influences of this life.” GCB January 1, 1899, page 8.5

“There are places where our schools should have been in operation years ago. Let these now be started under wise directors. The youth should be educated in their own churches.” GCB January 1, 1899, page 8.6

“Can we wonder that children and youth drift into temptation, and become educated in wrong lines by their association with other neglected children? These children are not wisely educated to use their active minds and limbs to do helpful work. Our schools should teach the children all kinds of simple labor. Can we wonder, neglected as they have been, that their energies become devoted to amusements that do them no good, that their religious aspirations are chilled, and their spiritual life darkened? Thousands in their own homes are left almost uneducated. ‘It is so much trouble,’ says the mother. ‘I would rather do these things myself; it is such a trouble; you bother me.’ GCB January 1, 1899, page 8.7

“Does not mother remember that she herself had to learn in jots and tittles before she could be helpful? It is a wrong to children to refuse to teach them little by little. Keep these children with you. Let them ask questions, and in patience answer them. Give your little children something to do; let them have the happiness of supposing they help you. There must be no repulsing of your children when trying to do proper things. If they make mistakes, if accidents happen, and things break, do not blame. Their whole future life depends upon the education you give them in their childhood years. Teach them that all their faculties of body and mind were given them to use, and that all are the Lord’s pledged to his service. To some of these children the Lord gives an early intimation of his will. Parents and teachers, begin to teach the children to cultivate their God-given qualities.” GCB January 1, 1899, page 8.8

What encouraging words are found in this quotation! What a field there is for our faithful teachers all throughout the length and breadth of our land! The idea of bringing hundreds and thousands of children to Christ, if we work for them, is certainly soul-inspiring. No wonder the author said, “Let all to whom these words may come be melted and subdued.” The Lord sees in our children a whole army of missionaries to be raised up to work for God. GCB January 1, 1899, page 9.1