p. 20 | The Missionary Volunteer Reading Course by M. E. K.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 3, 1908

The Missionary Volunteer Reading Course

By M. E. K.

“If you should read with the one object in view to improve the mind, and should read only as much as the mind can comprehend and digest, and would patiently persevere in such a course of reading, good results would be accomplished.” The object of our Missionary Volunteer Reading Course is to help our young people to do this. The world is flooded with books. Our young people are reading, and will read, and should read; but as a people who are seeking perfection of life, and a preparation to meet the Saviour, we should read only the best. In our homes and in our churches the youth should be encouraged to do this.

Most young people waste enough time to obtain a good education. How often might we have fortified ourselves against temptation if we had occupied our spare moments in useful reading.

There are many interesting and profitable themes, but the most interesting of all themes is the great conflict between good and evil. “The student should learn to view the Word as a whole, and to see the relation of its parts. He should gain a knowledge of its grand central theme, of God’s original purpose for the world, of the rise of the great controversy, and of the work of redemption. He should understand the nature of the two principles that are contending for supremacy, and should learn to trace their working through the records of history and prophecy, to the great consummation.”

This we have decided to do in our Reading Course for the coming year. The course will begin in October, and the principal book to be used is the “Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan.” This is one of the most remarkable books ever written. It gives a wonderful view of the history of the controversy in this world since the first advent of Christ, sweeping through the pagan persecutions of the early church, the great apostasy,

the Reformation, and giving the great deceptions and the reformation of this present time, including the end of the controversy, when “the kingdoms of this world” will “become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.”

Our parents and church officers should be deeply interested in all that pertains to our children and youth. We therefore announce these things in the REVIEW, trusting that a general interest will be manifested, and that as young and old we may advance together. As older ones we need the young people, and the young people need us. We need the life and fresh enthusiasm of youthful spirits, and they need our sympathy, our wise guidance, and our encouragement.

M. E. K.