p. 8 | Educational Department

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jun 10, 1909

Educational Department

The first paper of the council was read by Prof. C. C. Lewis, entitled “The Development of Our School System.” The paper described the first church-school in Battle Creek, Mich.,—the school of Prof. G. H. Bell,—the founding of Battle Creek College, and the growth of our school work from that time to the present. It also pointed out the following principles, which distinguish our schools from others, and justify our school system:—

1. The Word of God is made the basis of all instruction.

2. Students receive instruction and practise in different kinds of useful labor.

3. The schools are missionary training-schools for the preparation of laborers in the closing gospel message.

Then, from the experience of the past, the paper drew the following lessons for the work of the future:—

1. We do not half appreciate the principles of education which the Lord has scattered all along our way, and which have finally been gathered in the book “Education” into a garland of surpassing beauty and loveliness.

2. Although light was given to this denomination in regard to manual training six years before the first efforts of secular educators in this direction in the United States, yet the world has beaten us in the race after our own ideals. We should not rest until Christian industrial training is extended to the work of every grade, from the church-schools to the training-school.

3. Some of the hindrances of this heaven-born reform are: (a) long accustomed running in the groove of popular methods; (b) unmerciful criticism of mistakes in efforts to reform; (c) indifference of parents; and (d) ignorance of teachers with regard to industrial instruction.

4. Although in some respects our institutions of learning have swung into worldly conformity, yet they are “prisoners of hope;” and victory will be ours if we do not lose heart, and will press the battle a little longer.

Fourteenth Meeting, May 30, 1909

Prof. B. G. Wilkinson read an intensely interesting and highly instructive paper on “How to Improve Our Bible Teaching.”

He said, in part, that in its struggle against paganism, Christianity had to

create a system of its own. The more advanced we are in the study of the Bible, the more advanced we are in Christian education. It is just as important to have the best methods in Bible teaching as it is to have the best methods in teaching other subjects. The Bible teacher should not be overworked, but should be given an opportunity to reach a high standard. There is a dearth of successful Bible teachers in our ranks. There is a great difference between teaching and preaching. It will never do to use the Bible in the schoolroom as a text-book for preaching. The teacher should be able to develop in the student the ability to bring forth truth from the Scriptures.

There are several chief methods of teaching the Bible. The first is the topical method, which seems to be the natural way the Holy Spirit takes to lead men into a knowledge of the truth. But this is not the best method for youthful minds.

Chapter-by-chapter study is the best method for those who want to learn how to study the Bible. It is most valuable to learn how to outline the chapters. Outlining gives a better grasp of the subject-matter, and compels the memory to do its duty.

Teaching by books of the Bible is a valuable method. It helps us to see things in systems. It cultivates the higher faculties, and makes clear the relation of parts to the whole. The strength or weakness of the Bible teaching in a college measures the strength or weakness of the entire work of the college.

Prof. H. C. Lacey led in the discussion of the paper. He emphasized the importance of improving the Bible teaching. The Bible teacher should be the best man on the faculty. He should be spiritually minded, intellectual, well educated, and not a fanatic. It would be well if he possessed a knowledge of the original languages, and he ought to have the gift of teaching. He should make definite assignments, requiring constructive efforts on the part of the pupil. The study of the life of Christ should result in a general view of the events in their sequence. He ought to teach the main points in Bible doctrines, not harping upon his own special views. He should seek for symmetry of presentation, since the mind more readily grasps such an outline. There should be definite assignments—texts to memorize, propositions to arrange, outlines to construct, and charts and diagrams to make. Bible study, properly pursued, will give intellectual training, as well as spiritual understanding. There should be telescopic study first and microscopic study afterward. The subject should first be grasped as a whole, and then the details should be filled in. The differences and likenesses in related books should be carefully noted.

Elder R. S. Owen emphasized the importance of requiring texts to be committed to memory, leaving the results to the Holy Spirit.

THE discussions in the departmental meetings do much toward shaping and preparing plans and resolutions to be presented to the delegates. The meetings in all departments have been very generously attended, the several places of gathering being filled to overflowing nearly every morning.