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The Scholarship Plan

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 7, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 19.

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The Scholarship Plan

By B. F. Machlan

“AND it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry-trees, that thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.” 1 Chron. 14:15.
A few years ago, when the scholarship plan was first introduced, a few of our young people had the courage to take advantage of it. However, they were so few that it scarcely stirred the leaves of the mulberry-trees; but now our young men and women are beginning to see the advantage of the plan, and we are beginning to hear a sound of going in the tops of the trees. It is time now to go out to battle: for God has gone before, and has prepared the way, and has removed every obstacle that has become hindered our earnest young people from getting a Christian education.
It means earnest, honest, persevering labor. From a financial point of view, the scholarship plan is very interesting; but looking beyond this, to the opportunities for helping humanity, of “sowing beside all waters,” of teaching the gospel to those who might never have the privilege of hearing one of our ministers, and of seeing this gospel of the kingdom preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, we see something far more attractive than anything money could purchase.
It has been observed that those students who have earned a scholarship do better work while in school, and take more interest in the welfare of others, than while they were paying their expenses in cash. It means hard work to earn a scholarship. It means work at least eight hours to ten hours a day; but the girl in the factory works that long, and scarcely has time to raise her eyes from her work. To succeed in canvassing it must be regarded as a business. The worker must go on duty at a certain hour, work well and faithfully, and not quit until the day’s work is finished. One of our best canvassers said to me, “I always make it a point to hurry from one place to another.” Said he, “I know I get into more houses, and sell more literature, than if I moped along the street.”
Why should not the canvasser’s step be light, and his head up when the spirit of prophecy has said: “There is no higher work than evangelistic canvassing, for it involves the performance of the highest moral duties?” No higher work! does it not stir your heart, young man, young woman, to know you have the privilege of engaging in a work of which it has been said that there is no higher? And you need not wait until you have finished your school course, to do this work, but you may even make this great work the means of fitting you to do more efficient work for the Master.
In our canvassers’ band, the other evening, I listened to a program in which the best way to meet opposition was demonstrated by two young men. It was very interesting, and I noticed that every phase of opposition was met with a smile, and a word of kindness and courtesy. Canvassing develops character of the highest type. It straightens the spinal column of our boys and girls, and makes of them men and women, who are able to succeed under any discouragement.
In one of the fiercest battles, it was known that Philip of Macedon lost his eye from a bowshot. When the soldiers picked up the shaft which wounded him, they perceived upon it these words: “To Philip’s eye!” The archer was so certain of his skill that he had announced beforehand what his aim would be. How important it is that the canvasser should know beforehand what his aim will be. Before he begins his work he must carve the words, “To success in earning a scholarship!” Everything is on his side.
“God has his workmen in every age. The call of the hour is answered by the coming of the man. Thus when the divine voice cries, ‘Whom shall I send? and who will go for us?’ the response will come, ‘Here am I; send me.’”
My young friends, are you among God’s workmen? Do you hear the cry, “Who will go for us?” Are you going to answer, “Here am I; send me?” If so, you must have a training.
Plan to earn a scholarship to one of our schools. It is God’s plan for your education. There will be a large company at work this summer. Make sure that you are one of them.
B. F. MACHLAN.