Does the Church School Pay? by P. Tunheim

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

Does the Church School Pay?

By P. Tunheim

SOME months ago I received a good letter from one of my pupils in a country church school which I taught several terms about twenty years ago. This school was among some of our Norwegian brethren in the northern part of Marshall County, Minnesota, and was held in a small room in a log house. Two tables served as desks, and some common benches were used for seats. Here about a dozen children met from day to day to learn the precious Word of God and other branches of education. I shall copy a little from the letter already mentioned:—

“I suppose you remember me, what a naughty boy I was when I went to school to you. I can never forget when you kept me after school at Akre’s, and you taught me to pray that I might be a better boy. There are many other things that make you dear in my memory, and I have often heard others of your young people say that they have much to give you credit for, and that it was largely the result of your influence that all our young people who were taught by you have been baptized. Oscar Akre is the first one to enter the ministry. Oscar Vixie is at school preparing, and also three others of that family.”

Then he tells about some of the others—how the Lord has blessed them, and some are having a part in the work. This boy himself has been in the canvassing work for several years, and now he hopes soon to work in one of our publishing houses.

There is no doubt that some of the seed that was sown in that little school found root in those young hearts. As I think of that humble little school and those poor children, tears come to my eyes when I realize that of them the Lord will make bright jewels, yes, diadems, for his kingdom.

Dear brethren and sisters, perhaps some of you feel that the church school is not necessary, and that it is too much expense; but remember that one soul is worth more than the whole world, and if one such school can be the means of saving one child from destruction, it will well pay. Should we not do all that we can to save the little ones by planting the seed of truth in their young hearts, which will surely bear fruit to eternal life? Then the time will come soon, very soon, when we shall gather on that great day and be able to say, Here am I and the children whom thou hast given me

P. TUNHEIM.