Educational Department by Frederick Griggs

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 24, 1916

Educational Department

By Frederick Griggs

FREDERICK GRIGGS — General Secretary W. E. HOWELL — Assistant Secretary

“Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way”

In a recent letter, Prof. N. W. Lawrence, educational secretary of the North Pacific Union, writes as follows:—

“We have in our Union some very good examples of what can be done in the maintaining of a church school when the parents appreciate its importance and really desire to have their children reap the benefits of the church school. I have in mind just now what might properly be called a family school. It is conducted in the country on a farm, and is maintained by one man and his family. He hires a regular teacher, provides a little church school building, boards the teacher and provides room, and pays a fair wage. This man is not well-to-do, but he appreciates the importance of a Christian training for his children. So many people set their hearts on having an automobile, but he sets his on having his children trained in the church school; and people usually get what they desire. This same principle applies everywhere. I think there is scarcely a church in our field but that could maintain a creditable church school were they definitely and determinedly to set their hearts on so doing. It is largely a question as to which is of greater value, temporal blessings or the spiritual training of our boys and girls. This brother I mention has continued his school for a period of four or five years. He plans to do so until his children are of sufficient age to be sent to one of our larger schools.”

This experience has in it a valuable lesson. One of the first church schools to be established in this denomination was conducted by a widowed mother of four children, living eight miles from town, on a small farm, upon which she owed quite a sum of money. She believed in Christian education, and she employed a teacher for her children. I think there were one or two others that attended, but she kept the school in operation for two and one-half years on her own financial responsibility, and the teacher was paid in full.

What is needed in this matter of education, from the view of parents for the children and of young people for themselves, is a will that insures success,—a will that finds a way and then travels over it. At this time of year when plans are being laid for the opening of our church schools, and when young people are planning for school work, the experience just recited should provoke to courage and good works.

FREDERICK GRIGGS.