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TO THE S. D. A. CHURCHES IN MICHIGAN

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, February 17, 1885

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 7

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TO THE S. D. A. CHURCHES IN MICHIGAN.

By D. H. Lamson

It may not be generally known that the plan of commencing the primary school week on Tuesday instead of on Monday is growing into favor in many parts of our State. It is nevertheless true, and many of our children are thus deprived of the advantage of school one day in each week. This plan is adopted largely in Hillsdale County, and, as I am informed, in other counties of the State. It is also true, as is known by nearly all, that the days fixed for the examination of those desiring to teach in the primary schools include the Sabbath, so that the teachers among us are frequently obliged to lose one examination day, and be content with a lower grade, or get a private examination at a pecuniary loss. It is thought that favorable legislation could be obtained this present winter, as several members of both houses of the Legislature are friendly to our interests, and have pledged themselves to further our desires in this matter.
What we want is, that in all cases where the rights of conscience are involved respecting the observance of the Sabbath, the primary school should invariably begin on Monday morning and not on Tuesday morning; and that the days for the examination of teachers for the primary schools should not include the day called Saturday. Such legislation would relieve our people very much in some localities, as far as the children attending school are concerned, and all over the State in respect to our teachers.
It is probably true that there is as great a proportion of our young people who are, and will be, teachers as among any other class, and even greater; that is, according to our numbers, and we need in both the cases mentioned above such protection as we may be able to obtain. What we suggest is that the elders or leaders in all our churches in the State circulate a petition among all the members of their respective churches or classes, getting the names of all who can be interested in this matter. I cannot see why it should not include the children of school age, as they are most grievously affected by the present system in many places. Expedition is necessary, as there are yet but fifteen days to present the bill.
D. H. LAMSON: