p. 23 | Principles and Methods by E. K. SLADE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 4, 1908

Principles and Methods

By E. K. SLADE

Character the Foundation of True Education

THE proper training of mind and muscle constitutes an important part of true education in which a symmetrical development of the man is required. For convenience we have formed the practise of using the terms moral, mental, and manual, in referring to the threefold man, making such an application of these terms as to include all that pertains to the work of renewing for which true education stands. For ages in the past the intellectual side of the triangle has received the major part of attention in the work of education. In recent years there has been quite an awakening to the importance of giving attention to the training and developing of the physical man. A worldly educational system will not be able to provide for the proper development of the moral man, which is by far the most important side of the triangle,—really that which is the foundation of true education. A sound mind in a sound body may pass very well when only a career in this world and success for this life are under consideration; but in the system of education involving a fitting up for the Lord’s work in this world, and for eternal life in the world to come, the highest possible development of only the mental and manual part of man will be of no avail whatever.

There are many giants of intellect, and many men of prodigious stature and physical strength, who may be skilful as well as strong, whose training will be only eternal failure when it comes to the consideration of fitness for enduring life. The evolutionary idea in education is that a constant development for better is going on, which may seem to harmonize with this development of the mental and physical faculties in compliance with the laws of nature. Such a development favors the idea that it is only a reform that is required, but true

education is more than a reformation. It is a re-creation. The restoration of the image of God in the soul calls for the renewing of character that has been lost through sin. Through Inspiration the apostle Paul speaks of this matter in the following words: “Knowledge puffeth up, charity edifieth.” There is a similarity between the words edification and education in meaning as well as in sound. True education is a building up; such a building up as is indicated by the text comes through the placing of the love of God or the divine nature within the heart.

The natural result of the mere acquirement of knowledge and of physical strength is to “puff up,” or inflate. This will be the sure fruit of such training if it is unaccompanied by the grace of humility and meekness, which only God can give. While it is possible for the mind and body to be highly developed and well trained without the spiritual development, it is also true that the fulness of development in these lines is attained only by the restoration of the divine nature which was given to Adam when it was said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”

It is possible to have schools conducted under the name of Christian schools, purporting to stand for true Christian education, and conducted in our own buildings, under our own management, which will at the same time fail in this great essential,—the proper development of the moral man. The success of our educational work depends upon our bringing into our school work that faith and adherence to the facts of faith that will bring into the school and into the lives of the teachers and students the divine attributes that can come only through creative power. While it is not the purpose of God that it should be thus, one of but little mental and muscular strength and training may be a power in the earth, and fit for eternal life by spiritual renewing. On the contrary, the highest possible training of the intellectual and physical parts of man may only serve to make him a stronger enemy to God’s work in the earth, and a more fit subject for the punishment due to evil-doers, if the foundation of all true education is omitted.

E. K. SLADE.