Educational and Missionary Volunteer Council by Frederick Griggs; M. E. Kern

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jul 29, 1915

Educational and Missionary Volunteer Council

By Frederick Griggs; M. E. Kern

EVERY day of our council, from June 4 to 14, was highly profitable. It was distinguished by a spirit of unity that prevailed from the opening of the meeting until the close. This spirit seemed to be manifested in every paper that was read and in every speech that was made. As a president of one of our colleges expressed it, when discussing a measure under consideration: “I am determined when I return to my school to abide by the rulings of this council, and so I want to take plenty of time for the consideration of this and any other matter that may come before us.”

It is not strange to say that this spirit enabled us to accomplish a larger amount of work by far than we have ever been able to get through in any preceding council. The spirit of devotion to the training and education of our young men and women for the finishing of this work was very marked on the part of all the delegates. One could not listen to the papers and discussions without being conscious of a very determined and devoted spirit on the part of each one who spoke. Our people are indeed fortunate to have their young people under the guidance of such a devoted body of Missionary Volunteer and educational leaders. The keynote of the council was “consecration and efficiency.” Over and over again these words were heard in the discussions. This idea found expression in all the details of the plans for the Missionary Volunteer and educational work.

The arrangement by which the Missionary Volunteer and Educational Departments held this council together was a most fortunate one. These two departments of our great work are one in purpose,—the saving, enlisting, and training of every Seventh-day Adventist child for Christian service,—and their plans of work are naturally very closely interlocked. There came to each department as the result of this joint meeting a far better understanding of the work of the other department. There has always been the closest spirit of unity in the work of these two departments, and yet they have never before been brought together in a close, critical, and mutual study of their problems.

Prominent among the subjects considered by the Missionary Volunteer Department were the evangelistic and educational features and the organized missionary work. Considerable thought was given to the characteristics of young people and how to win them to Christ. This study emphasized the evangelistic idea of the Missionary Volunteer secretary’s work, in the churches, at camp meetings, in the schools, and in personal work. Careful study was given to the advancement of the various educational features of Missionary Volunteer work,—the Reading Courses, Standard of Attainment, leaflet series, Institute work, etc. It was the determination of all to increase this educational work until every Seventh-day Adventist boy and girl is pursuing some line of Bible study and helpful reading. They cannot follow these simple courses of instruction month after month without having their life purposes greatly influenced and their Christian experiences strengthened. Already there are those in the foreign field whose purposes to enter that work were formed by the Reading Courses.

In nearly all instances the offices of educational and Missionary Volunteer secretaries in our conferences are filled by one person. It was felt that there was need of our conferences carrying out more fully than they are doing the action of the General Conference relative to having two secretaries in those conferences where there are over fifteen hundred members. The work is important enough and profitable enough to demand the efforts of two competent persons. The secretaries must have more time to become personally acquainted with the work of the young people in an individual way, and to interest them in attending our schools, and to encourage them in the lines of missionary work which are set on foot by the departments.

In the Educational Department much consideration was given to the establishment of courses of study for all grades of our schools, and arranging to have these courses followed by our schools throughout the Division Conference. Standards of work were adopted which will make our work in every way more thorough, and will send from the schools an increasing number of efficient young men and young women.

Elder Evans’s studies each morning throughout the conference were appreciated, and tended very greatly to draw the teachers together in a stronger bond of unity in Christian service. He continually pointed the teachers to the great Master Teacher, Christ, as the only one for them to follow.

Elder Daniels was with us two or three days, and spoke at different times concerning the great need of workers in the Orient, and enjoined the teachers to put forth more earnest efforts than ever before to prepare a large number of workers for service in these fields white for the harvest. His talks were greatly appreciated. He presented a memorial from the workers in the Orient calling for helpers. This was received by the council, and acknowledged in appropriate resolutions.

We are now in the midst of the convention work which follows the council. One convention is to be held in the territory of each of our five colleges, and one for the territory of the Southern and Southeastern Union Conferences. We are deeply gratified at what we have already seen accomplished in this convention work. The purpose of these meetings is to strengthen and unify the work in each territory. Papers and studies are presented in which the actions of the council are adopted, and made applicable to the territory of the training school where they are held. The same spirit is prevailing in these conventions which obtained in the councils. We look for a great impetus to be given to all Missionary Volunteer and educational work this coming year as the result of the council, and of the conventions which follow.

FREDERICK GRIGGS, M. E. KERN.