CARACAS, the capital city of Venezuela, is situated in a beautiful valley, at an altitude of 3,500 feet. The air is much cooler than at sea-level, and compared with the port, La Guaira, the city has a delightful climate.
One can go from La Guaira to Caracas by rail, by cart, or on foot. In a direct line the distance is about seven miles. The foot-path leads over the mountains which separate the valley from the sea, and with its twists and turns covers a distance of twelve miles. By rail or cart the distance is twenty-five miles.
Starting from Colon, I reached the port of La Guaira on February 4. Elder F. G. Lane met me, and we went by rail to the city. He has a good, pleasant place in which to live, when we consider that Caracas is a Spanish city, and houses which rent within the means of our workers are generally very poor places in which to live.
Elder Lane has been in Caracas for a year and a half. Many are interested in the message, and a few have decided to obey. Sabbath, February 10, seven candidates were baptized in a quiet pool of a mountain brook. This makes eighteen in all whom Elder Lane has baptized in Venezuela.
A room fitted up for a chapel is used by the company for a meeting-place. Here we held services nearly every night. Elder Lane interpreted for me, and we had a good, profitable time. The believers in these newly entered places are certainly hungry for the truth, and are delighted to meet some one from another part of the field.
Not only in Caracas are these interested ones, but from some small villages miles away to the south people have sent word for the pastor to come, to visit them. We hope later to develop our canvassing work in this field. At present the people seem to have no mind to buy our books.
I trust that the readers of the REVIEW will not forget the work in Venezuela. Brother Greenage and wife are making their living by giving treatments, and Sister Samuels conducts a school for the children. These workers are a great help to Elder Lane in establishing the work there.
February 17 I sailed for Trinidad.
U. BENDER.
Pittsburgh, Chicago, and College View
By K. C. Russell
WEDNESDAY, March 6, the writer left Washington, D. C., for California, and on the same evening spoke to our people in Pittsburgh, Pa. There was a very good attendance for a midweek service. The establishment of the headquarters of the conference in this important city has given a new inspiration to our people here, and there is good prospect of more aggressive work being accomplished in the future in that conference as well as in that city. We believe that there are better days for the work in the Western Pennsylvania Conference.
At the conclusion of this meeting I took the train for Chicago, where I arrived the morning of the seventh of March, and had the pleasure of visiting the new headquarters of the Northern Illinois Tract Society, at 3645 Ogden St. The location of this office is very desirable indeed. The center of the city can be reached quickly by the elevated railroad.
In the evening I addressed a union meeting of our people in the Southside church on some of the living issues of the day. There was a good attendance, and an excellent spirit prevailed.
Friday evening I reached College View, Nebr., where I remained until Tuesday afternoon, speaking six times during my short stay, twice on religious liberty. The other addresses were of a practical and revival nature.
We were glad to see that God is signally blessing the work in Union College. A most excellent class of earnest and consecrated students is in attendance at this school. There is indication of a larger attendance during the coming year. It is indeed a satisfaction to know that here God is made first in all that pertains to the work of educating our young people for service.
In the lectures on religious liberty we endeavored to point out the forces in the world which are opposed to the principles of religious liberty. We also emphasized the fact that Seventh-day Adventists are the recognized opponents of Sunday legislation, and that in the providence of God our denomination has been organized to meet effectively the enemies of the Lord's work. We are not dependent upon the world to circulate our literature and magazines and books. Had we been, long before this we should have been boycotted in its sale and distribution. But in the providence of God we have an organized army of missionary evangelists whose lives are consecrated to this work. What could a disorganized element expect to accomplish in the work of warning the masses against the beast, his image, and the reception of his mark?
Let every one who knows this message apply his efforts and means where they can be increased a thousandfold for good instead of placing them where they will be worse than wasted. It is Satan's design to disintegrate and ruin the work of God. K. C. RUSSELL.
The Oder Conference
By GUY DAIL
KOTTBUS, GERMANY.—The first annual session of the Oder Conference, which synchronized with the eleventh yearly meeting of what was formerly the East German Conference, was held in Kottbus, January 24-28. In addition to turning over to the newly organized Warthe Conference the districts of Frankfort-on-the-Oder and Kustrin, the Oder Conference received from the North German Conference the grand duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
Reports rendered by the president, Elder J. Seefried, showed a good increase in the tithe of the Oder Conference, but the membership and the book sales showed no growth.
I was especially interested in meeting a number of our brethren and sisters at this conference from among the Wendish nationality, with their unique national costumes. They seem to be a hardy people, one that promises well for our work.
The lectures for the public were reasonably well visited, there being from two hundred to three hundred strangers in attendance. About four hundred dollars was collected in cash and pledges for foreign missions.
The new year bids fair to be a good one in this field, and we trust that God's special blessing will rest upon the president of this new conference, and upon his fellow workers. GUY DAIL.
Field Notes
FOUR new Sabbath-keepers are reported from Canton, Ohio.
FIVE new members were recently added to the West Philadelphia church, Philadelphia, Pa.
ELDER E. E. TROWBRIDGE reports that four persons have recently accepted the third angel’s message at Spooner, Wis.
ELDER STEWART KIME has been conducting meetings at Rileyville, Va. Eight persons have been baptized, and twelve others are keeping the Sabbath.
ELDER F. A. DETAMORE reports the baptism of ten adults at North Yakima, Wash., on March 9. There are also five new Sabbath-keepers at Paulsbo.
THE workers at Astoria, Oregon, have been holding Bible studies from house to house for several weeks. Two persons have already taken their stand for the truth.
ELDER PAUL IVERSON has been conducting meetings in a schoolhouse near Antelope, Mont. As a result, four persons are keeping the Sabbath, and others are interested in the truth.
THREE persons have taken their stand for the truth at Bauer, Mich., during the last few weeks, and others are under conviction. One new member has been added to the church of colored believers in Detroit.
One Thousand Dollar Colporteurs
By E. R. P.
ONE of the most interesting features of the bookmen's conventions held in the Southeastern and Southern Union Conferences was the reports from those who had sold at least $1,000 worth of books during the year 1911.
The union conferences had offered to pay the traveling expenses to the bookmen's convention and union conference, and the publishing house to pay for the entertainment, of all who would sell $1,000 worth of books during the year, and pay in full for the same.
This generous offer was extended by the Southern Union to those who would work 1,600 hours during the year, even though their sales might fall short of $1,000.
Winners of the Prize
The following are the names of those who succeeded in winning the prize, with the value of the sales of each in the two unions mentioned:—
Southeastern Union
R. L. Underwood ........$1536.00
W. H. George ........... 1476.75
J. P. Allran ........... 1476.25
J. W. Siler ............ 1214.00
L. D. Wright ........... 1120.00
M. J. Weber ............ 1100.00
Southern Union
Benjamin Griffiths ...... 1000.00
Mamie Moore ............. 1003.00
C. H. McColrey .......... 1000.00
Virgil Smith ............ 1000.00
Those Who Worked 1600 or More Hours
C. G. Jorgenson
C. E. Morphew
M. L. Ivory
Emily Billups
Joseph S. Moore
H. E. Beck
I. W. Peevy
R. H. Hazelton
The Lake Union also introduced this feature into its work last year, and the following-named persons succeeded in delivering over $1,000 worth of books, and will have their expenses paid to the bookmen's convention, which will be held late in April:—
N. O. Kittleson ........$1340.60
L. Clarke .............. 1067.15
J. Hicks ............... 1173.25
R. Joyce ............... 1164.00
A. L. VanFossen ........ 1325.00
Hugh Stearns ........... 1081.35
Hugo Mitzelfeld ........ 1024.30
Louis Sholtz ........... 1079.00
An Experience Meeting
At the Southern Union conference, Brother A. F. Harrison had his workers take their places on the platform at one meeting and relate their experiences. The consecration; the faithful time put in, which in many instances reached an average of more than forty-five, and even more than fifty, hours a week for the whole year; the story of special blessings, of the bringing of some into the truth, of wonderful deliveries in territory that had been devastated by flood, or cyclone, or drought, or the boll-weevil,—all was told with the simplicity and eloquence of love and devotion. It might have been said of each of them, “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?” for they had enjoyed few educational advantages, though it was evident that they were being taught in the school of experience.
We give here two of these inspiring reports. The first is from a colored sister about seventy years of age. No one knows really just how old she is. She was a slave girl several years before the war, and has the ingenuity, tact, and consecration of the colored “mammies,” who are still affectionately remembered by the white people of the South.
Generally, the colored colporteurs can not work among the white people. They must search out their own people, which of course considerably handicaps them. The white colporteurs can work among all classes. But this aged colored sister marches right up to the front door of the grand people's homes, and with her wit and good humor, defies the color-line and everything else.
Colored People in Heaven
One day she was showing her book to a fine lady, who felt it her duty to point out kindly to the old woman her proper place as a colored person. She said, “Do you mean to say that you think the colored people will ever go to heaven?” The old woman thought a moment, and then replied, “When I came along the road, I saw quite a number of cattle; some were red, some were white, some were spotted, and some were black, but they were all cattle.” And so she thought that though some in this world are white, some are yellow, and some are black, they are all sinners, and have the same chance through grace. Thus the old woman wins her way.
The Tact That Wins
One day she called at the front door of a grand home. A dignified gentleman in a long coat met her and asked what she wanted. “I want to see the missus,” was the reply. “But,” he said, “can you not tell me what you want; the mistress may not wish to be troubled?” In reply the old woman said, “I rather talk to the missus than to a man.” And so, supposing it was something about the washing, or something she did not care to speak to him about, he invited her into the parlor by the front way, instead of sending her around the back way, as would generally have been the case.
The mistress was called, and the old woman took out her prospectus and began to show it to her. The man was indignant. He began to walk up and down the parlor and to scold the woman for having called. He said: “We do not want to buy any books. We have plenty of good books, and we do not want you coming in like this and trying to get us to buy books.”
The old woman replied: “You don't have to buy no books. I just want to show my book to the missus, and if she don't want it, I will go right along and make no further trouble.” But as she proceeded with her canvass,—the most original and beautiful, Brother Harrison said, of any to which he had ever listened,—the gentleman stopped, and standing right in front of her, listened to the whole story. When she had finished, he said: “Didn't I tell you that we did not want to buy any books? But I have changed my mind; that book seems to be just what I want, and I have decided to take two of them.” And so he did, and she went on her way happy.
WINNERS OF THE PRIZE IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNION
And so all through the whole twelve months of the year that dear old woman tramped over her territory. She said that the sun never caught her in bed; she was off to her territory before the sun was up, and worked as late as she could. By hard work, tact, and consecration, she won the prize—the first colored woman who ever sold so many of our books in one year.
A Story of Sacrifice and Perseverance
Another most interesting story was told by Brother Smith. He is a plain, earnest man, about thirty-five years of age. He has a feeble wife and two or three children. Saturday night he fixed up his records, did his writing, and repaired his own clothes, ready for another week's work. On Sunday he did the washing for the family, and helped his wife with the cooking. Sunday evening he went back to his territory, so as to be ready for work early Monday morning. He came back to his family every Thursday night, so as to help his wife do the necessary work before the Sabbath.
His wife took as great interest as he in his effort to win the prize. He had never attended a bookmen's convention or a union conference, and, as can be easily understood, in view of his devotion to her and the children, she was extremely anxious that he should succeed.
Just Short of the Prize
In this way he worked on through the year until Christmas. When he came home to spend Christmas, he figured up all his accounts, and found that his sales had reached $978.50. Their hearts fell to zero as it dawned upon them that after all that year's work he had come so near to success and had failed. They shed18some tears over the matter, then had a season of prayer, and he decided that he would make a last effort, and if possible would win, even though he had no time to take orders for a delivery before the first day of the new year. His only chance for success was to sell books for cash, and he was in doubt as to whether he would succeed.
Snatching Victory From Defeat
On Tuesday morning, the day after Christmas, with just the number of books to make up the amount, he started for his territory. It was raining in torrents; and when he reached his field, he found the whole country under water, and the water was already running into the houses. All he could do was to take the train and go home, believing for the second time that he had failed. But that night they prayed again about the matter, and Wednesday morning the sky was clear, and he started again. This time he went to the hill country, where he thought the chances would be better. He started in taking orders the same as usual, and then told the people what he was trying to do, and in each case delivered the book at once.
The reader should have heard him tell the story, how he worked through that day and into the evening, and then early the next morning, and then of the finish Thursday night, when out in the hills, all alone, he took off his hat and swinging it in the air, gave three cheers for the successfully finished work.
It did us all a great deal of good to listen to his simple story. The workers had been hearing about this effort all summer, and they were greatly interested in these reports.
Considering conditions in the South and what they have struggled with this year in many ways, and considering the deliveries, which average only about fifty-four per cent of the orders taken, it was really a great achievement actually to deliver and pay for a thousand dollars' worth of books.
I trust that these experiences may inspire many others, and especially our young people who will soon be finishing school, to go out into the needy fields, and devote themselves to the circulation of our literature with the same untiring devotion manifested by these faithful workers.
E. R. P.
The Publishing Work
Conducted by the Publishing Department of the General Conference
E. R. PALMER - - - - Secretary
N. Z. TOWN - - - Assistant Secretary
Selling “Ministry of Healing” Without Canvassing
By R. W. Parmele
One of the most common objections we hear as we present the “Ministry of Healing” work to our people, is the following: “I never could canvass. I have tried it and failed.” It is very natural for those who have never canvassed and imagine they can not, and still more natural for those who “have tried it and failed,” to feel excused from duty in the “Ministry of Healing” campaign. Such reason that they will expend their energies in another direction, and let “those who can canvass” look after the sanitarium relief work.
I would like to ask all such, Would you risk the price of your full quota (nine dollars), in six books, if you could sell them on a plan that requires no canvassing? Possibly your conference would let you have the books on thirty days’ time, so you would not have to pay the cash down. This would give you an abundance of time in which to dispose of them. I confidently believe that working on the plan suggested in this article the full three-year quota of the denomination could be sold in thirty days. Why should we require Brother Hansen to write so many letters and articles, and visit so many conferences at such great expense to the cause, to get us to do in three years what we could do in less than thirty days if we would address ourselves to the task? This is not guesswork with me. I have tried the plan, and know it works, and it requires no canvassing. Carefully read every word of this article, and then put the plan into operation.
A few days ago I visited twelve homes, taking them as they came, and lent twelve copies of the book, accompanied by a copy of the letter quoted below, with my name attached. I have since visited nine of these homes. I got my pay for three of the books, the money being in readiness for me. The other six each returned the book, in most cases with expressions of appreciation, and regrets that they did not feel able to pay for it, and retain it. A deaf-and-dumb man could have done just as well. The letter, accompanied by the book and the blessing of God, did the work. But it is important that the people should read the letter as well as the book. Their especial attention should be called to it. The letter follows:—19
“DEAR FRIEND: I beg to call your attention to the book that I hand you herewith. I consider it one of the best books, except the Bible, that I have ever read. It was written for the sole purpose of benefiting suffering humanity. The object of the book is to present comfort and hope to the sick and suffering, encouragement and counsel to friends, nurses, and physicians who are engaged in ministering to the afflicted.
“The book is made up of eight departments, which are divided into chapters, each complete in itself. The first part of the book gives us a picture of the work of ‘The True Medical Missionary,’ our Saviour, who ‘went about doing good and relieving all who were oppressed.’ Next comes ‘The Work of the Physician,’ later ‘The Care of the Sick,’ and some very helpful suggestions on ‘The Home’ and other kindred themes.
“Many helpful suggestions are given in the book on the care of our health, the care and treatment of the sick; calling special attention to nature’s own remedies. The doctor can do his part to produce favorable conditions, but the power that the Creator has put into nature is that which produces results. Above all, the sufferer and all others are pointed to the Great Healer of both body and soul.
“In many places in this and foreign countries, sanitariums have been erected for the care of the sick. Many of these institutions have been started without endowment, and in the case of those to which I refer, not a penny of profit accrues to any individual. The entire net profits arising from their operation go to the work of relieving the suffering, caring for the sick poor, and imparting instruction in the laws of health.
“The author has donated this book to these institutions, and the printers have generously published it for the actual cost of the material and labor. So that aside from this small cost and the transportation, the entire proceeds go to help advance the work of the sanitariums mentioned.
“It has been decided by those having the matter in charge that the proceeds arising from the sales of this book in Florida shall be given to the Florida Sanitarium, located at Orlando. The good work this institution has done, and is doing, is the reason it was made the beneficiary of this gift.
“I will call upon you again in a few days. In the meantime look the book over carefully, and see if you do not think it well worth the price, $1.50. By its purchase you will provide your home with a most excellent book, and will at the same time be helping a most worthy cause.”
I believe this to be a plan on which all our people could work with excellent results. It seems to me especially adapted to our ministers who are engaged in field work. In this way I became better acquainted with the people, found the interested ones, and got them to read a most precious volume of truth. I would urge all our field men to put this plan into operation, as I am sure it will prove a blessing to all concerned. I do not believe that my meetings had much if any influence in the matter of my sales, for one who purchased the book had not been at the meeting at all, and for aught I know did not know who I was.
In conclusion, I wish to say that I trust none will think that this plan will discourage the canvassing spirit. On the contrary, I believe it will encourage it. Many imagine that there is something very disagreeable about the work of the canvasser. This plan, it seems to me, will tend to get such started in such a way that this dread will vanish, and they will find their introduction to the work so pleasant that it will inspire them to engage in the canvassing work.
R. W. PARMELE.
The above article by Elder Parmele will doubtless suggest to many a feasible way in which to engage in the “Ministry of Healing” work. A printed leaflet, giving a letter after the order of the one suggested in the article, may be had by addressing the General Conference Medical Department, Takoma Park, D. C.
L. A. H.
Pass None By
By John L. Brown
ONE day while helping one of the new canvassers in his work here in Barcelona [Spain], we were tempted to pass by one family. We reasoned that to climb to the fourth story, where only poor people live, would be only vain effort; but the Lord impressed me to say, “We will pass none by.”
We reached the fourth story, and there found a doctor and her sister. They listened to my explanation of “The Coming King” with great interest, and said, “You may bring us one of those books. We have read almost everything, and are reading books on Christian Science. But we are not satisfied.” They received their “Coming King” shortly after, and immediately began studying it.
A few weeks ago one of these sisters came to our Sabbath meeting, and after I had finished speaking, she came to me to tell me of the death of her sister. She said: “She was sick only a few days, but I know that she will be saved because she believed in Jesus, and passed away in peace.” The sister that remains attends our Sabbath services, and is very much interested for her own salvation.
While helping another worker, we chanced to pass by a large Roman Catholic church. In the door of this massive structure stood a priest in all his pomp and pride, robed with the funeral dress, crowned with a little black, golden-trimmed miter, and holding in his hand the book of prayers for the dead, waiting for the hearse to drive up. I said to my companion, “I am going to canvass that priest now.” He begged me not to go, but I thought to give the man a chance to know the truth and his own lost condition.
After walking up to the door briskly and saluting him, we stepped just inside the church, and there I made known the object of my call. The native remained in the street. The sacerdote listened attentively a few minutes, and then said: “I am waiting for the hearse at this moment. I think it is coming now.” I told him, “Then please put your name down here, and I will bring you one of these fine books.” Without further hesitation, he signed for a copy of “The Coming King.”
Last week I had the pleasure of delivering this book. He examined it carefully, and then said, “The book is not authorized by the church.” I said, “Señor, it is even authorized by you. Here is your name in my list.” He then read a page in the chapter entitled “The Bible and Its Conservation,” and said, “I like it very much,” and paid me.
We can never tell where the honest in heart may be. They may be in hovel or palace, on the fourth floor or on the fortieth, or even ministering in a Catholic church.
JOHN L. BROWN.
South Carolina Institute
By V. O. Cole
The colporteurs' institute at Cherokee, S. C., will we believe mark the beginning of a new era in the book and periodical work in that State. Twelve earnest canvassers were present, who expect to devote their time and energies to this department of the work.
We seldom see more of the spirit of devotion and consecration to the work than was manifested on this occasion. Men with farms and home responsibilities laid their lives on the altar for service. All the resolutions passed at the last bookmen's convention at Graysville were adopted at the institute; each signed contracts for his separate territory, and all were glad to cooperate in an earnest effort to raise the standard of the work.
A proposition was made by the South Carolina Conference to pay the traveling expenses to the next General Conference of all who would sell $1,000 worth of books and pay in full for them during 1912, providing the meeting is held at no greater distance than Nashville, Tenn.; and if held beyond there, to pay twenty-five dollars toward the fare of those who care to attend. On this proposition nine colporteurs rose to their feet, and said that by the Lord's help they would make an effort to reach the goal.
It was good to be in the testimony meeting near the close of the institute. One colporteur, in relating his long experience, mentioned the names of twenty-eight persons who had embraced the truth, either directly or indirectly, from reading books he had sold. The experience of another was related, who knew of seventeen thus brought into the truth. Another mentioned the names of eleven. Many of those named are now valuable laborers in the cause of present truth, and some are holding responsible positions. May the Lord add his blessing to the work in South Carolina during 1912. V. O. COLE.
Medical Missionary Department
Conducted by the Medical Department of the General Conference
GEORGE THOMASON, M. D. — Secretary
L. A. HANSEN — Assistant Secretary
Aim of Our Church-Schools
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17: 3.
The Lord points out to us the ultimate aim of true education in these words of Isa. 54:13: “All thy children shall be taught of the Lord.” Why must our children be taught of the Lord? The Saviour answers in the words quoted above: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
Our children are to “be taught of the Lord,” that they may know him, whom to know is eternal life. The sum of all education is, in the sight of God, a knowledge of himself.
We are told by educators of the world that the principal aim of the public-school system is to prepare the children to become good citizens of this government. I think all will admit that they are carrying out that purpose. Do we, as representatives of another government, see in that system a fulfilment of Christ's words, “The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light”? If those greatly interested in human governments, see the importance of establishing and supporting public schools for developing good citizens; should not we be as zealous for the government which we represent, and show our zeal by providing and maintaining schools that will prepare our children for citizenship in heaven?
God never intended that his people should delegate to the state their sacred trust of training the “lambs of the flock.” He gave Israel a system of education, which, if it had been carried out, would have placed them above all other people in the world. “This is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say: Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” Deut. 4:6. Ancient Israel failed, but God's plan did not; and it is his purpose to carry out that same system in his closing work. And we have the wondrous privilege of having a part in the great plan of God, to train the children and youth.
When the Lord was about to lead his people out of Egypt, he said: “I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast.” He then gave instructions that the lintel and side-posts of the door of each home be marked with blood, as a sign to the death angel that he might pass over that house when he went through to smite the Egyptians. Ex. 12:22, 23. The blood upon the lintel of the door represented the blood of Christ, which saved the first-born of the Hebrews from death.
This experience was written for us. In “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, page 195, we read: “Before the overflowing scourge shall come upon the dwellers of the earth, the Lord calls upon all who are Israelites indeed to prepare for that event. To parents he sends the warning cry: Gather your children into your own houses; gather them away from those who are disregarding the commandments of God. . . . Get out of the large cities as fast as possible. Establish church-schools. Give your children the Word of God as the foundation of all their education.” This is what we are seeking to do in our church-schools. We must give our children “a systematic knowledge of the principles of revealed truth, which will fit them for what is coming on the earth, and prevent them from being carried away by every wind of doctrine. None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict. The decisive hour is even now at hand.” “The subject of the sanctuary and investigative judgment should be clearly understood. All need a knowledge for themselves, of the position and work of our great High Priest. Otherwise it will be impossible for them to exercise the faith which is essential at this time, or to occupy the position which God designs them to fill.”
Does God design that the children shall have an important part to act in this closing message? From that valuable book “Education,” page 262, I read: “God's purpose for the children growing up beside our hearths is wider, deeper, higher, than our restricted vision has comprehended. . . . Many a lad of today, growing up as did Daniel in his Judean home, studying God's Word and his works, and learning the lessons of faithful service, will yet stand in legislative assemblies, in halls of justice, or in royal courts, as a witness for the King of kings. Multitudes will be called to a wider ministry. The whole world is opening to the gospel. Ethiopia is stretching out her hands unto God. From Japan and China and India, from the still darkened lands of our own continent, from every quarter of this world of ours, comes the cry of sin-stricken hearts for a knowledge of the God of love. . . . And it rests with us who have received the knowledge, with our children to whom we may impart it, to answer their cry. To every household and every school, to every parent, teacher, and child upon whom has shone the light of the gospel, comes at this crisis the question20put to Esther the queen at that momentous crisis in Israel's history, ‘Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’”
“When properly conducted, church-schools will be the means of lifting the standard of truth in the places where they are established; for children who are receiving a Christian education will be witnesses for Christ. As Jesus in the temple solved the mysteries which priests and rulers had not discerned, so in the closing work of this earth, children who have been rightly educated will, in their simplicity, speak words which will be an astonishment to men who now talk of ‘higher education.’ As the children sang in the temple courts, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord,’ so, in these last days, children's voices will be raised to give the last message of warning to a perishing world. When heavenly intelligences see their men are no longer permitted to present the truth, the Spirit of God will come upon the children, and they will do a work in the proclamation of the truth which the older workers can not do, because their way will be hedged up.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, page 202.
On page 205 of the same book, we have this special instruction to those who are called to teach the children: “Special talent should be given to the education of the little ones. Many can put the crib high, and give food to the sheep; but it is a more difficult matter to put the crib low, and feed the lambs. This is a lesson which primary teachers need to learn.”
Since our system of education embraces the development of the spiritual, the mental, and the physical powers, the church-school should lay a strong foundation for the building of perfect character in the children under our guidance. As a result of the all-round training in the church-schools, we have a right to expect, first, the inculcation in the mind of the child, of simple faith in the Word of God; second, the thorough teaching of the common branches in the most practical way; third, the giving of special attention to the care of the body, to simple treatments for common diseases, and to the principles of healthful eating and dressing; fourth, instruction in sewing, gardening, and other forms of manual training which tend to create a love for God's great outdoors.
How important it is, then, that as teachers we realize the sacredness of our calling, to train the youth to become missionaries for God. “With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world!”
As teachers and parents, let our aim be so to train and develop the children, “that our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner-stones, polished after the similitude of a palace.” And may the dear boys and girls be to this cause and this message what God designs they shall be, “as the dew” to the parched vegetation in time of drought. This drilled company of young people will greatly help in the completion of the work committed to us.
“They that be teachers shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.”
Christian Education
By H. R. Salisbury
Conducted by the Department of Education of the General Conference
