THE true Sabbath-school teacher is called of God, for we read that God hath set in the church first, apostles, secondarily, prophets, and thirdly, teachers; and the same lips that said, "Go preach," said, "Go teach." Whoever receives this sacred call should devote himself to it by holy consecration. I do not mean that he should give up all other pursuits and attend to nothing else, for were that the case, you and I, my dear sister, would not be called, I fear, as our home duties are such that we could not do this.
The office of a Christian teacher is of great importance and of heavy responsibility. Great condemnation will rest upon the careless, prayerless teacher. He should accept his mission thankfully, enter upon it heartily, and attend to his duties punctually, faithfully, and earnestly. He is to teach Bible truth, and to be able to teach this faithfully and truly calls for hard, earnest work.
The teacher must be thoroughly fitted for this responsible place—not highly educated, with a stock of cut and dried knowledge stored away, but constantly preparing himself, each day making preparation for the coming Sabbath. He must have bright, fresh lessons, carefully prepared. His thoughts must be well digested and adapted to the subject,—something worthy of being taught, and which will command attention for its own sake.
It is well for the teacher to have method and system as well as a set time and place to begin the preparation of the lesson. I think the best time to commence is the evening after the Sabbath, and the place, the quiet of the home circle. Pray and read and think over the lesson. Search the Scriptures with the aid of a concordance or reference Bible for the most practical parallel passages. They will wonderfully illuminate the lesson.
Illustrations are very useful, in fact indispensable, in teaching Bible truth. They have a decorative as well as an explanatory power. This was one of the Saviour's favorite modes of teaching. You remember the parables of the sower, of the vineyard let to husbandmen, the leaven in the meal, the lost piece of silver, etc. Go into the world and gather excellent things for illustrations, by what you hear, see, and do. Those who teach the little ones should especially seek to get some such illustration for each pupil. The mother-bird gets something for each little birdling in the nest, and she does not bring it in a promiscuous heap and let each little one get what he can of it, but she sees that each little open mouth has something suited to its capacity dropped right into it. So should we who have the "bird's nest" of our Sabbath-school, see that each child has something suited to his ability and understanding. To be able to do this, we must study child nature, and learn the peculiar disposition, trials, and temptations of each one—learn their likes and dislikes, hopes and fears, and become as a little child if we would be their counselors and guides. We must live over our own childhood, and use child language, being sure to employ only words they can fully understand.
Pictorial teaching is another useful method. They may be word pictures, or they may be pictures that the eye can see, such as maps, pictures of Bible lands, etc.
Object teaching is another aid to the primary teacher especially. In this also we have the example of the Great Teacher, when he took a little child and set him in the midst to show what characters were fit for the kingdom of Heaven. He also used a piece of tribute money to illustrate his teaching. Why did he do this? It was certainly not superfluous, but must have been to bring the subject before the two great learning senses, hearing and seeing.
The blackboard is another means of impressing the points in the lesson. The most prominent points may be called from the class by the teacher, and placed upon the board in a systematic and attractive manner. Pictures pertaining to the lesson may also be drawn. One does not have to be an artist to use the blackboard successfully—even the crudest picture attracts the attention of children. But the only justifiable use of it is to make Bible truth more clear and comprehensive, though, I am sorry to say, some pervert its use by drawings entirely foreign to the lesson. Thus, instead of being a help, they become a hindrance, and a tool for the enemy to catch up the seeds of truth before they have time to take root in the soil of the heart. This help should be used most carefully, and not abused.
We must never suppose that our scholars are too young or too ignorant to appreciate a well-prepared lesson. Prepare for more than you want to teach; no one can teach all that he knows. Every one who has ever taught knows how important it is to secure good attention, real steadiness of mind; and a well-prepared lesson by the teacher is the best means of obtaining it. This is also promoted by a deep and earnest sympathy with as well as for the child. By giving little ones frequent changes of position, and with the helps mentioned above, but little difficulty will be found in securing attention. The attitude, words, and bearing of the teacher should be well calculated to govern and to guide.
We should never tell a pupil what he can tell us; he will remember it much longer if he tells it. There is a real art in knowing when, where, and how to put a good question. This art is to be learned, like any other, by much study and patient practice.
Dear teachers, let us be more earnest in our work; let us imitate the Great Teacher more, that we may hear from his lips at last, "Well done, good and faithful."
Improving the Talent for Giving
Some have wonderful talent for giving if they would but improve it—giving not only of their wealth for the support of the gospel, but giving kind words, kind deeds, cheering the sad, encouraging the weary, and strengthening the weak. Why not improve this talent as well as others? Who can estimate the amount of good that might be done, if these warm-hearted, sympathetic ones would but improve their opportunities!—Sel.
Skepticism and Fanaticism Against the Bible
By The Free Methodist
The two great enemies of the Bible are skepticism and fanaticism. The first repudiates the supreme authority of the word, hence recognizes other authority as equal and in some cases superior to it. The second repudiates the efficiency of the word and looks for something to be added. The one regards scientific induction and the teachings of reason of at least equal authority with the Bible; while the other regards feelings, emotions, visions, ecstasies and deductions from these as supplementing the word, and in extreme cases as to be relied upon rather than the word in its simplest and plainest interpretation. Each of these are against the “more sure word;” though the one, as a parasite growing upon, and clinging to, the word as its foundation, has a show of piety which the other does not care to assume and thus passes more readily among God's people as true piety. —The Free Methodist.
Preparing to Teach the Lesson
A GOOD way of both perfecting and testing your preparatory study of a lesson, as a teacher, is for you to state to yourself in a few words the points of your proposed lesson-teaching. Some one has facetiously said, that in the average church prayer-meeting he would like the privilege of calling out at the close of a rambling speaker's remarks, according to the custom in deliberative bodies, "Will the gentleman be so good as to submit his proposition in writing?" In other words, What have you been saying? What point, if any, were you trying to make? It would be well for every teacher to ask himself, before he sets out for his class, What am I now ready to teach my scholars—to cause my scholars to know—to-day? His preliminary study should be made with that question before him for ultimate answer.—Teaching and Teachers.
Massacre of Chinese.
By Editor
THE United States stands disgraced before the world by the recent barbarities visited upon the Chinese at Rock Springs coal mines in Wyoming Territory. Perhaps it will be said that the United States should not be largely blamed for the action of a lawless band in one of her Territories. But that is not the manner in which we would determine the standing of such an outrage in another country. If a colony or company of quiet, inoffensive Americans in China were set upon without any provocation and ruthlessly murdered, shot down like wild beasts, and their property and dwellings burned, we would hold China—not the perpetrators of the outrage—responsible for the lives of our citizens. Not all of the present generation have forgotten the case of Greytown, where our Government took summary vengeance upon a town for a crime against the rights of American citizenship, not one-hundredth part as great as this barbarity in Wyoming.
There are other and special reasons why the United States will be held responsible before the whole world for this act. The Chinese came to this country under treaty rights, and in violation of these rights they have been subjected to every species of indignity and abuse. Special laws have at different times been enacted against them, which have only failed of execution by the fact that they were unconstitutional. They have been denied the privilege of becoming citizens, and their children have been shut out of the public schools, and then they have been cursed because they did not assimilate to our institutions! What changes might have been wrought in the lives and characters of the Chinese resident here if they had been treated as we have treated immigrants from other countries, we cannot say. We have every reason to believe the effect would have been great and beneficial. At all events, it would have been an honor to our boasted civilization, not to speak of our boasted Christianity, had we made the experiment.
The Chinese have also been blamed for sending their money back to China, when they have been shut out from every opportunity of safely investing it here. We have often seen commendatory notices in the newspapers of some Irish men or women who prudently saved up their earnings and sent them home to relieve the wants of their parents or kindred in Ireland. But the Irish have political influence, and the Chinese have not; therefore that is a virtue in the Irish which is an offense in the Chinese. Again, it is a fact, unfortunate to the Irish themselves, that a great many of them spend a considerable portion of their earnings for whisky, and the Chinese do not; therefore the Chinese have the influence of the liquor interest against them, which is the controlling influence in American politics. Look at it as we will, they are placed at a disadvantage both socially and politically.
A very evident reason why our country will be held responsible for this Wyoming massacre is found in the fact that party leaders, and even those holding important offices, have, week after week, made public speeches to excited mobs, urging them to drive out the Chinese from our midst, even to the extent of murdering them and burning their property. When people of other countries learn that Denis Kearney was the leader of a large political party—so large that it controlled the State election one year, to a great extent—they naturally regard his utterances as the sentiments of this people and this nation. And when the voters of our principal city elect to office such a man as "Dr." O'Donnell, a man of less principle and a more dangerous demagogue than Denis Kearney, they make themselves responsible in the eyes of the whole world, for his public efforts to incite the basest elements of our population to riot, to arson, and to murder. We may boast as we will of the freedom of speech in this land. It is well, to a certain extent. But when freedom of speech is used to incite to wholesale criminality, and it bears its legitimate fruit, we must begin to consider how other peoples and other nations regard our boasted freedom. And when this criminality vents itself upon the peaceful citizens of other lands, with which we stand related by treaty, then it becomes a matter of national importance, and we can no longer, if we would, shut our eyes to the errors which we have committed, and are committing, against the rights of treaties and of citizenship.
We are not now pleading the cause of the Chinese any further than a regard for public interest and public duty demands. We are giving no opinion of them, as laborers or as residents among us. We may do that at another time. But we feel that it is our duty to the public and to the nation, and to the cause of God in Christianity, to denounce this outrage, and to warn against the influence of those whose efforts are directed to inciting to just such outrages.
One thing may be safely said of the Chinese: They are not ignorant in a worldly sense of the word. In diplomacy their public men are well skilled. Our people have misused them for years. If they do not use the advantage which this circumstance places in their hands, we shall be greatly surprised. And if the United States is taught a lesson to regard her treaty obligations as she has compelled others to regard theirs, we shall not regret it, for it will be no detriment to our honor or our public welfare.
Another "Check" Wanted.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
A LITTLE more than two years ago, one of our brethren went into Humboldt County, to hold meetings and do general missionary work. The weather was unfavorable for meetings, but by faithful labor several persons were brought to see the light of truth, and began to keep the Sabbath. As some of these had been members of the M. E. Church, the minister in charge, one Mr. Woodward, preached a sermon, in which he attempted to overthrow the work already done, and attacked every doctrine which he thought was believed by Seventh-day Adventists. This sermon, when duly indorsed by the president of the University of the Pacific as "cogent and timely," was labeled a "Check on Adventism," and sent out to the world, that it might stop the progress of Seventh-day Adventism, just as it had in Humboldt County.
Well, two years have passed, and we are now inclined to agree with the learned Doctor who pronounced the book "cogent and timely." At the time the "check" was given, there were six or eight Seventh-day Adventists in that county. Now there are more than one hundred who are firm in the truth, and zealous in its propagation; there are two good houses of worship completed and in use; one more is in process of construction; and the ground has been purchased for a fourth, which will be erected within two months. There is no other county in the State, where the cause is in so flourishing a condition. We have often wondered, of late, if it would not almost pay to get Mr. Woodward to visit some other county, and give Adventism another "check."
We do not wish to give him so much praise as to turn his head. Perhaps the same results would have been seen if he had not put on his little brake. The truth has power in itself, and must produce conviction in the hearts of the honest. "What is the chaff to the wheat?" saith the Lord. Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" Jer. 23 : 28, 29. Yet we believe it is the providence of God that unreasonable men should open up the store-house of error, in attempts to overwhelm the truth of God, so that all may see the difference between the chaff and the wheat. So we do not get excited when some one threatens to "expose the whole thing," knowing that God can cause even the wrath of man to praise him, and that none can do anything against the truth, but for the truth. E. J. W.
Death and the Coming of the Lord.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
IN a sermon recently preached in New York by Dr. R. S. Storrs, from Rev. 22 : 20: “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus,” the speaker asked whether it is proper for us to take up and repeat the prayer of the apostle, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” He then proceeded to answer the question as follows:—
“It was only natural and proper, we may think, that he should utter this prayer to Christ. But we may not so freely repeat it after him. There is a certain tremor of hesitation, natural to the heart, in echoing the words. We would rather, for ourselves, know beforehand, if it might be, the moment when the summons is to come; we would rather see the Master afar off, and in gradual approach; we would rather make special and protracted preparation for the voice which is to call us from all the circles of life on earth, to go and be henceforth with him. At any rate, we do not feel at liberty to offer prayer for sudden death, and in this we are right. We have no right to offer such a prayer. Even John did not offer it until the Master had manifested to him his purpose of coming quickly.”
If Dr. Storrs had studied the Bible as thoroughly as he has studied history, he could not have spoken such words, and then have deliberately written them for publication. There is just one correct statement in the paragraph, and that is, that it is not right to pray for death. That is true; it is not right to pray for sudden death, nor for any other kind of death; but it is right to pray for the coming of the Lord, and to long for it, as the following texts clearly prove:—
“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven.” Matt. 6 : 10. This is what Christ himself commanded us to pray. Now when we read these words: “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word” (2 Tim. 4 : 1, 2), we know that the kingdom comes only when Christ comes; therefore Christ taught his disciples that they should daily pray for his coming.
Again, Paul says: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Tim. 4 : 7, 8. The crown of life, then, is to be given only to those who love the coming of the Lord. Paul and Dr. Storrs do not seem to agree on this subject.
We have no disposition to carp at Dr. Storrs. He is an able man, and we admire his talent. He is no more out of the way than are thousands. The trouble with him is, that while in history he searches for himself, and draws his own conclusions, in matters of Bible doctrine he accepts unquestioningly what the multitude believe. From his standpoint, it was very natural to say that we ought not to pray for the coming of the Lord. But what a terrible doctrine it is which obliges its adherents to569deliberately throw aside the only hope which Christ left his church. What doctrine does this? The doctrine of the natural immortality of the soul—the theory that men go to Heaven at death. The doctrine of the second coming of Christ is the “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13), the hope with which Christ comforted his sorrowing disciples; but the dogma of inherent immortality ignores all this.
People sometimes say that it makes no difference what we believe concerning the immortality of the soul; that it is not of any practical importance whether we believe that it is inherently immortal, or dependent on Christ for immortality. Does it make any difference whether or not we believe the words of Christ? Is it a matter of no importance that we lay hold on the only hope that Christ has left us? If there were nothing else against the doctrine of natural immortality, this alone would condemn it. Of course it will not do for people to say that the Lord is not coming at all, for the Bible is full of assertions that he is; and since the people have settled it for themselves that men receive their reward at death, they combine the two. Since the idea is getting so prevalent that death is the coming of the Lord, it is proper for us to devote space to examine it in the light of Scripture.
First, Christ said to his disciples, “If I go away, I will come again.” He did not promise to come again and again, but simply “another time; once more.” Paul’s words in Heb. 9 : 28 agree with this: “And unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Now since he comes only once more, it is certain that death cannot be that coming, for death is constantly occurring.
He promised to come “again.” The word “again” indicates another of the same kind. Christ was on the earth in the flesh; he was seen by thousands. Now if he comes “again,” a “second time,” he must come in person. The departure of a soul for Heaven cannot be another advent of Christ. If any think this is a far-fetched argument, let them read the account of Christ’s ascension: “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1 : 9-11. No amount of philosophical theorizing can ever wrest that scripture so as to make it teach a coming of the Lord at death. Those who hold to that theory, must deny the statement of the angels.
Something more in the same line. Read Rev. 1 : 7: “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him.” Every eye does not see when a man dies. Thousands die in solitude, unseen by mortal eye. So here is another text that is either unknown to those who hold the theory we are considering, or else is denied by them. Moreover, this shows that John knew what he was praying for when he uttered the words found in Rev. 22 : 20. He was not praying for death, but for the Lord to come in the clouds of heaven. Every follower of Christ may and should offer the same prayer.
Still further, we read in Matt. 24 : 27, that “as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Who ever saw or heard, as such a phenomena at the death of any one? It is utterly impossible for a man to believe those words of the Lord, and still believe that death is the coming of Christ. Ought not the words of Christ to be believed, rather than the theories of men?
When Christ comes, it is to take his people to himself. He doesn’t take one before another, as Paul shows in 1 Thess. 4 : 15-17: “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent [go before] them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
Here we see that both the righteous dead and the righteous living are taken to be with the Lord at the same time, at his coming. And this is just what the same apostle teaches in 2 Tim. 4 : 6-8, already quoted. He says that the Lord will give him a crown of righteousness “at that day.” At what day? Why, the day referred to in the first verse, when Christ comes in his kingdom to judge the living and dead, “At that day,” says Paul, the Lord will give me a crown, “and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing.” Yes, at the coming of the Lord all who love him shall receive a crown, and all at the same time.
Look once more at 2 Thess. 4 : 15: “We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord.” Now if it be true that the “coming of the Lord” is equivalent to “death,” we can substitute the latter word in the verse, and we shall then have the sublimely ridiculous statement that “we which are alive and remain [alive] until death, shall not go before them which are asleep”! If there is one special class of persons who live until they die, what becomes of those who do not live until they die? We should like to have Dr. Storrs turn his logical mind to the solving of this conundrum.
We turn to the second chapter of 2 Thessalonians. Paul says: “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, . . . as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” Verses 1-4. Paul assured them that the Lord would not come until after the great apostasy, and the full establishment of the papacy. The papacy was fully established in the sixth century; but would Dr. Storrs have us believe that between the first and sixth centuries no one died? He is too good a historian not to know all about the bloody persecutions during the reigns of Nero, Domitian, and others, in which hundreds of Christians yielded up their lives for the faith. Yet Christ could not come until after the setting up of the papacy, and he has not come yet.
There is scarcely any limit to the texts that might be quoted to show the absurdity of the idea that death is the coming of the Lord. There is just one more passage that we wish to notice. It shows that none of Christ’s disciples entertained the idea that death was his coming. Christ had met his disciples at the Sea of Galilee. He had questioned Peter concerning his love, and had showed him by what kind of a death he would be called upon to show his love. Then Peter looked around, and seeing John, asked, “Lord, and what shall this man do?” Jesus answered, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.” John 21 : 21, 22. Suppose we substitute death for the coming of the Lord, and then we have the Master saying, “If I will that he tarry [remain alive] until he dies, what is that to thee?” What a horrible doctrine it is that makes such nonsense of our Lord’s simple language.
But notice: Just as soon as Jesus asked Peter what difference it was to him if John should live until the coming of the Lord, the disciples, assuming that Christ had declared that John should remain until his coming, began to spread abroad the statement that John would never die! They knew very well that death and the coming of the Lord have nothing in common.
If all our readers do not agree with us in saying that the idea that death is the coming of Christ is both absurd and unscriptural, we have understated their sagacity. If any hold that idea after carefully reading the texts we have quoted, we should be glad to hear from them, that we may together consider the matter further. We do not care to hear from any who cannot give a reason for their belief. We do not expect to hear from any. May the Lord help all to study well all that relates to the coming of the Lord, and to speedily learn to pray, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” E. J. W.
Healdsburg College, and Its Relation to the Pacific Slope.
By S. N. H.
THE subject of education has ever been one of importance to the people of God. When the Lord brought Israel into the wilderness and gave them the law, he gave special instruction concerning the education of the children. Of his commandments, he said: "Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." The children of Israel were not only to be familiar with the law and statutes themselves, but were to teach them to their children, so that they also might understand the requirements of God. They were to instruct their children in every important transaction which showed the character and power of God. When they crossed the River Jordan, one man from each tribe was required to take a stone from where the priests’ feet had stood, and carry it to the place where they were to lodge the following night. This was to be a sign among them so that when their children asked their fathers in time to come, saying, "What mean ye by these stones?" then they were to answer that "the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord."
The recital of these events to the children would make lasting impressions upon their minds of the wonderful dealings of God with his people. The success of the people in keeping from idolatry, lay in storing the minds of their children with a knowledge of God as shown in his marvelous works. After Israel became settled in the land of Canaan, schools were established called the "schools of the prophets." From the meager reference we have concerning them, it is evident that those who attended them not only performed manual labor but they went forth instructing Israel, and then returned to receive further instruction in these institutions of learning. The Bible does not inform us to what extent they were instructed in the sciences, but it is evident that some of the Bible writers, who must have been connected more or less with these schools, were educated in the various sciences.
Every precaution was taken to guard Israel from imbibing heathen customs. At one time they were required to wear in the borders of their garments a ribbon of blue, that they might look upon it and remember God’s commandments to do them. To send their children to the schools of the heathen, would have brought upon them the wrath of God. In the days of our Saviour this school system was in great repute among the Jews. Jewish parents, although living in the great centers of learning, sent their children to their own schools at Jerusalem. Those who attended the schools among the Greeks, were looked upon with suspicion by the more devout Jews. As long as they faithfully served God, this proved a source of strength and piety. The Saviour in teaching the disciples, carried out the same principles which had been established in the law, and570which had ever been regarded by the Jews as very sacred. In the instruction which he gave to the disciples, he sanctioned mental training combined with moral discipline.
There is nothing in the Scriptures, by precept or example, that countenances sending the youth of God's people to unbelievers for their education. The principles of the school system which has been established by the people of God, are in harmony with divine revelation. Those looking for the second coming of Christ, cannot afford to sacrifice the morals of their children by sending them to unbelievers to receive instruction in the sciences. There are but few such schools among us, and these of themselves cannot accomplish all that should be done among our people. What should be the nature of these schools, and how should they be conducted, so that their influence may reach and benefit those who cannot attend them, is an important question.
There are, at present, three large schools, established at the expense of about $150,000. It is of the highest importance that these be more than ordinary schools in discipline, in method of teaching, and in moral training, and that they be surrounded with the best of influences. It is exceedingly difficult in these large schools to secure that class of teachers and surroundings that will give the right mould of character to those who attend. There should be among the people of God hundreds of schools where these same principles are taught to those who cannot have the benefit of attending the schools already established. It would be an undertaking far beyond our means and ability, to establish many such schools through the different Conferences of our people, and yet our people need their influence in all parts of the field.
Our large schools should be more devoted to the education of laborers who will go forth as ministers, colporters, and teachers of the youth and children in the churches and in private families. These teachers should not only be prepared to teach the sciences and the fear of God to the children, but to instruct the churches in missionary work and in the Sabbath-school interest. Our colleges should also develop instructors who can hold institutes at our camp-meetings and other large gatherings. Missionaries should go from these schools to new fields, and be prepared not only to labor in the ordinary manner, but to impart instructions to others, in harmony with the principles taught in the larger schools. If this plan be carried out, then the friends in the various Conferences, and in fact all over the field, can receive the benefit of the large schools which are now in successful operation.
We say, Select your best men and women who are apt to teach, send them to these large schools, and then multiply your small schools and institutes. The responsibility of these large schools is too great for any one small Conference to take. They should have the moral support of the people of God, throughout the length and breadth of the land. We do not say that there should be no more large schools than what we now have. If the proper instructors could be found, and if sufficient means could be obtained, we would heartily indorse the idea of having many such schools. But with the scarcity of laborers and the importance of raising the standard high, as it should be in our schools, we would suggest that before entering upon any more large school enterprises the matter be well considered.
The Pacific Coast has one school in successful operation. It has been established in the providence of God. And it requires a capital of not less than $50,000 to make such a school a success, combining with it manual labor, teaching the higher branches, and carrying out the principles which are necessary to qualify men and women to labor successfully in the cause of God. It would be exceedingly difficult for these smaller schools to have the labor system connected with them, and to have the higher branches taught. We see no reason why the Northern Conferences of the Pacific Coast cannot have each spring, the labors of a competent person in giving instruction to those who wish to go out to labor. It would be well for those who wish to labor as ministers, colporters, in holding Bible readings, and in teaching, as far as possible, to take one or more terms at the Healdsburg College. Then, by means of institutes and smaller schools, its influence will be felt all over the Pacific Slope.
It has been truly a Godsend that on the Pacific Coast there has been such a school established as the Healdsburg College. It should have the patronage, moral and financial, of all the friends, old and young, on the Pacific Coast. Laborers have already gone from it as far as Washington Territory and the islands of the Pacific Ocean. We cannot speak too highly of combining all of the principles of education, mental, moral, and physical training. But we long to see the time when our brethren and sisters will wake up to the importance of having teachers that have been properly instructed by those of experience in every branch and phase of the work, go forth all through the land, giving that help to the various churches which is so much needed. Our schools and colleges should be great missionary centers, from which men and women will go forth to all parts of the world. The same spirit that the Saviour infused into the disciples should characterize these seminaries of learning.
The disciples loved not their lives unto death; they went everywhere preaching the word, the Lord working with them in signs, and converting power attended their labors. Our schools are missionary schools of the highest type, and should ever be conducted by those who have drunk deeply of the spirit of the heavenly Master. May God bless our schools, and those that are connected with them, and hasten the time when teachers from them will be instructing many thousands of children all through our churches, in a practical knowledge of divine things.
The Missionary.
By N. J. Bowers
Kansas Camp-Meeting.
This meeting was held according to appointment August 20-30, at Beloit, Mitchell County. The weather was mostly favorable, although a severe storm the first Sunday afternoon did some damage to a few tents, no one was hurt, and no service was interfered with. The camp was located on the open prairie just east of town, where a gale could spend its whole fury upon the unprotected encampment. Yet it seemed the Lord had a care for us, and the heaviest of the rain and wind passed around.
There were two large tents used for public meetings, one for the Scandinavian and the other for English services. Elders O. A. Johnson and J. P. Rosqvist from abroad were present, and conducted the work for the Scandinavians. Quite a representation of this nationality were present. There were nineteen family tents on the ground, besides a large tabernacle in which several families were quartered.
Quite a number of the Kansas ministers were present, and the preaching for our own people was in the line of personal consecration to God and his work for this time. We have special and saving truths, and we should so relate ourselves to them that we can become channels of light to others. Tithing, health, and dress reform each received a share of attention. The scriptural grounds of the testimonies of the Spirit were presented, and by a rising vote nearly every one pledged himself to regard the light God has by this means given the church. Daily children's meetings were held, which resulted in good. The attendance of the brethren was quite good, more than two hundred, including members of the Sabbath-school, were encamped.
The manner of labor on the ground was quite effective. The encampment was districted off, and a leader appointed over each division. Every morning a conference of these leaders was held, where special cases were considered, and plans for personal labor entered on. By this means every one was personally labored with, and thus good results were gained. Twenty-three were baptized as the fruits of this work. These were mostly children and youth, members of the different Sabbath-schools.
The canvassing work was considered, and steps taken to revive the efforts in behalf of "Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation," which will likely be successful.
The outside attendance was good at every service, some of the best citizens being always present. Some have already taken their stand to keep the Sabbath, and the interest is such that it is thought advisable to follow it up with a tent effort. Altogether, the meeting was a success, and we thank God and take courage.
N. J. BOWERS.