More and Better-Trained Teachers by F. G.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 24, 1914

More and Better-Trained Teachers

By F. G.

THE educational superintendent of one of our conferences says, in a letter concerning the work in her conference: “We have three new schools. We could have started more church schools, had it been possible for me to be in more than one place at the same time, and if we could have had reliable teachers to launch the new schools. Our great cry is the same as is heard in all our conferences, ‘More and better-trained teachers.’”

The advancement of our great cause of truth is measured to a large extent by the increase of our schools. We must have more church schools, that all our advanced schools may be filled, and be yearly sending forth large classes of new recruits for the “front,” in this great gospel warfare. But in order to have more schools, we must have “more and better-trained teachers.” At the foundation of all our work lies the church school. These schools must be increased in number and efficiency, and just now, during the school year, is the time to work most effectively to this end. Plans should be laid in every church where there is a sufficient number of children, to open a school this coming year. These plans consist in securing assurances of financial support by means of tuition or a general fund, or both; in providing a room with good ventilation, an abundance

of light, comfortable seats, and sufficient blackboard space; and in securing at least the beginning of a library and equipment for manual and other lines of work necessary to the subjects taught. These are not difficult to obtain where there is an appreciation of the eternal value of this education to the children of the church.

“More and better-trained teachers.” Every church has an enormous responsibility to place every young man and woman in the work of this message. If these persons have teaching in mind as a vocation, they should be encouraged, and assisted when necessary, to take courses of instruction in the normal departments of our colleges for teaching in our schools. These normal departments are giving strong, practical courses, adapted to all grades of teaching, and they should be filled to overflowing with students who are devoted to the work of Christian education, and willing to teach any grade of work for which they may be adapted and to teach anywhere they may be needed.

Now, just now, is the time to secure “more and better-trained teachers” for more and better-equipped schools.

F. G.