The Relation of Our Missionary Societies to Our Schools
MISSIONARY VOLUNTEERS should be deeply interested in all matters of education and educational effort; for now, as perhaps never before in these sixty centuries of warfare between right and wrong, educated men and women are needed to battle for the right. The forces of evil, under the shrewdest and most cunning generalship of the wicked one, are marshalling into their ranks the strongest and best-trained intellects, and, by the force of worldly learning, are seeking to pervert, yea, even to destroy, the faith of Christ in all men. At such a time as this, an intense time, there is a most solemn, God-given responsibility resting upon every Missionary Volunteer, upon all young men and women offering themselves for service in the army of Christ, to put to the utmost stretch every power of their being for good; for, while the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, and while under no circumstances are any to depend upon the strength of man's wisdom, yet it must be remembered that the Holy Spirit can use the person possessing a healthy and robust body, and an orderly, vigorous mind, with far greater effectiveness than he can one whose powers are frail and enfeebled. The cause of Christ imperatively demands the broadest wisdom, the mightiest ability, and the most exalted virtue which it is possible for each of his servants to acquire. All this is undeniably true; and being so, each Missionary Volunteer must bring himself to see that he secures such an education as will best qualify him for his place of service in the cause of Christ. His high profession, his solemn vows, his pledges of fidelity to this cause, will admit of nothing less. God has established schools that all this may be accomplished. The very effort put forth in securing such an education, is in itself one of the greatest educating factors in the life of an individual. It develops in him those hearty, vigorous traits that enable him to meet, clash with, and overcome those obstacles that are placed in the pathway he must travel toward perfection of character. Not only must each Missionary Volunteer feel these things to be true for himself, but he must know that he is his brother's keeper, and he must seek to create strong educational ambitions in all his fellow members; then he must endeavor to make possible the realization of these ambitions. He must not only secure educational funds for himself, but he must aid in obtaining them for others. No young man or woman need lack a well-balanced education. Given the proper aspirations, they will at once find that the gates to the broad roads of educational opportunity are wide open. It must not be forgotten that education does not begin with the entrance to the school building, and end with graduation from a course of study. Good books, well-chosen friends, helpful associates, and the ability to do physical as well as mental work, all have their part in securing an education, the same as do teachers and class-room associations. I quote here a paragraph from “Christ’s Object Lessons,” which is to the point:— “Let the youth who need an education set to work with a determination to obtain it. Do not wait for an opening; make one for yourselves. Take hold in any small way that presents itself. Practise economy. Do not spend your means for the gratification of appetite, or in pleasure-seeking. Be determined to become as useful and efficient as God calls you to be. Be thorough and faithful in whatever you undertake. Procure every advantage within your reach for strengthening the intellect. Let the study of books be combined with useful manual labor, and by faithful endeavor, watchfulness, and prayer, secure the wisdom that is from above. This will give you an all-round education. Thus you may rise in character, and gain an influence over other minds, enabling you to lead them in the path of uprightness and holiness.” This is a vigorous statement of the laws of educational growth, and wise is he who gives heed to its admonition. It is highly fortunate that the Missionary Volunteer movement of this great third angel’s message has placed educational interests in the foreground of its many efforts. Only as it keeps them there, will it succeed in doing its work.