Shall We Have a Church-School?

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 6, 1908

Shall We Have a Church-School?

THIS question is being asked, without doubt, in scores of churches at this time. In four or five weeks the public schools of the United States will begin, and thousands of our children will either attend them or attend schools which we provide.

The spirit of prophecy has given very definite instruction concerning this matter: “If we do not have schools for our youth, they will attend other seminaries and colleges, and will be exposed to infidel sentiments, cavilings, and questions concerning the inspiration of the Bible.” “The church should take in the situation, and by their influence and means seek to bring about the much-desired end. Let a fund be created by generous contributions for the establishment of schools, and for the advancement of educational work.” “I say again, Establish schools for the children wherever there are churches; where there are those who assemble to worship God, let there be schools for the children. Work as though you were working for your life to save children from being drowned in the polluting and corrupting influences of this life. If people would encourage the church in which they are members, and establish small, humble school buildings in which to do service for God, they would accommodate their own children within their borders.” The early Christians took a sensible view of the education of their children. In the early

home life, the child was taught the Scriptures, and there entered into his young life an education which led away from the heathen and worldly influences of the time to a life of purity and faith.

Shall we have a church-school?—Yes, by all means. We would better deny ourselves of all the luxuries, and even the comforts and necessities of life, rather than deny our children that education which helps to prepare them for heaven. Good primary schools, in which the Word of God is made the basis of all instruction, in which it is the warp and woof of every educational effort, can but shape the life of the child for good. No self-denial should be considered too great for such results as may be obtained in a thoroughly Christian school. Shall we have a church-school?—Yes, a thousand times yes.