Educational and Missionary Volunteer Convention
By M. E. Cady
AFTER the strenuous ten days of work during the Educational and Missionary Volunteer Council, already reported in the REVIEW, a recess of three days was taken before beginning the work of the convention. This convention was held at Pacific Union College, St. Helena, Cal., June 18-26, and was conducted by the North American Division Educational and Missionary Volunteer secretaries, Profs. F. Griggs, W. E. Howell, M. E. Kern, and Elder Meade MacGuire. The delegation to this union convention consisted of the teachers in the church and intermediate schools, academies, and the college; the educational superintendents and Missionary Volunteer secretaries of the local conference; and officers from the local Missionary Volunteer Societies. The total delegation reached 125, but in addition to this a number of visitors were present. The program of the convention was similar to that carried out during the council. The morning watch was observed before breakfast, and at 8:30 all assembled for the devotional hour. This was followed each morning by a forty-five-minute study of the following topics: “Our Times and Our Youth,” “Seeking to Save,” “Saved to Serve,” “Personal Experience a Basis for Leadership,” “Under Discipline to Christ,” “The Meaning of Consecration,” and “The Christian Home.” Elder Daniells, recently from the Orient, presented the great need of workers to enter at once those needy fields which “are ripe already for the harvest.” He said that our schools hold the key to the solution of the great problem of providing thoroughly consecrated and properly qualified workers for the millions that are ignorant of the Christ that can save them. Following the morning studies, time was devoted to the consideration of the actions taken during the council relative to the educational and Missionary Volunteer work, that all might fully understand the plans and policies that are to be put into operation throughout the North American Division Conference. This hour was followed by the reading of papers and discussions relative to problems within the union, and how to adapt these actions of the council to local conditions. The afternoon session began at four o’clock, thus allowing time for committee work. The committees appointed considered questions pertaining to the union, and made some requests for the General Educational Department to consider regarding the preparation of textbooks, the adoption of uniform textbooks prepared by outside publishers, and other matters which will appear later in the Pacific Union Recorder. The round-table hour was very much enjoyed, and afforded an opportunity for a free informal discussion of the problems in both Educational and Missionary Volunteer Departments. One of the problems given earnest, prayerful consideration was the question of proper education in the matter of recreation and association, both in our churches and in our schools. The following recommendations regarding this question were unanimously adopted:— “Whereas, We are living in the time when many professed Christians are ‘lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God,’ and,— “Whereas, Perilous times are upon us, and the future will demand a spirit of greater seriousness and self-denial on the part of our youth, and,— “Whereas, Recently through the spirit of prophecy definite, earnest appeals have been made regarding amusements, recreation, and association, as the following statements indicate:— “‘It is in the order of God that the physical as well as the mental powers shall be trained; but the character of the physical exercise taken should be in complete harmony with the lessons given by Christ to his disciples. Those lessons should be exemplified in the lives of Christians, so that in all the education and self-training of teachers and students, the heavenly agencies may not record of them that they are “lovers of pleasures.” This is the record now being made of a large number, “Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”’ 2 Tim. 3:4. Thus Satan and his angels are laying their snares for souls. They are working upon the minds of teachers and students to induce them to engage in exercises and amusements which become intensely absorbing, and which are of a character to strengthen the lower passions, and to create appetites and passions that will counteract the operations of the Spirit of God upon human hearts. “‘All the teachers in a school need exercise, a change of employment. God has pointed out what this should be,—useful, practical work. But many have turned away from God’s plan to follow human inventions, to the detriment of spiritual life. Amusements are doing more to counteract the working of the Holy Spirit than anything else, and the Lord is grieved.’—Counsels to Teachers, page 281. “‘Exercise in the open air for those whose employment has been within doors and sedentary, will be beneficial to health. All who can, should feel it a duty to pursue this course. Nothing will be lost, but much gained. They can return to their occupations with new life and new courage to engage in their labor with zeal, and they are better prepared to resist disease.’—Id., page 347. “‘Gatherings for social intercourse may be made in the highest degree profitable and instructive when those who meet together have the love of God glowing in their hearts, when they meet to exchange thoughts in regard to the Word of God, or to consider methods for advancing his work and doing good to their fellow men. When nothing is said or done to grieve the Holy Spirit of God, but it is regarded as a welcome guest, then God is honored, and those who meet together will be refreshed and strengthened.’—Id., page 338. “We, therefore, as educators and young people’s workers of the Pacific Union Conference in convention assembled, pledge our loyal support and influence to carrying out the following recommendations:— “1. That in our advanced schools we discard all such amusements and games as are condemned by the spirit of prophecy. “2. That we pledge ourselves to more earnest efforts ‘to provide in their stead innocent pleasures,’ among which may be mentioned, outings, properly conducted; occasional receptions, lectures, musical programs, physical culture exercises, student programs, class excursions under the teacher’s leadership, walks, swimming exercises; and such other forms of ‘Christian recreation’ as local conditions may afford. “3. That, if necessary, we make more ample provision for physical labor for our students, realizing that ‘the better way is for them to get physical exercise through manual training, and by letting useful employment take the place of selfish pleasures.’ “4. That, in our church schools, we recommend that all outdoor recreation be under the supervision of the teacher, and that all games of a rough or sentimental character, or games tending to arouse resentment or anger or that lead to dishonesty,—such as Indian, crack-the-whip, needle’s eye, playing for keeps, etc.,—be eliminated. “5. That we encourage the providing of the necessary recreation by manual training, gardening, marching, and physical culture (both outdoors and in the schoolroom), and that there be provided teeter boards, swings, sand boxes, building blocks and bricks for building playhouses. “6. That the noon hour and the time before school be as carefully supervised as the regular recreation period. “7. That by precept and example we hold before our young people in all our churches the high standard regarding recreation, social gatherings, and wise deportment that is given in the Bible and the spirit of prophecy, and that teachers discourage the playing of silly games at social gatherings.” The evening sessions were devoted to topics of general interest to both delegates and visitors. Professor Rine gave a stirring and impressive address on the topic, “The Bible as an Educative Force.” As never before the hearers were impressed with the supreme position the Bible is to occupy in our schools if the student shall receive a Christian (Christlike) education. The Bible must not only be taught in distinct and separate classes, but it must mold the instruction in science, history, literature, and every line of profitable study and research. The convention closed with the closing hours of the second Sabbath, at which time each one present had an opportunity to speak of the “new vision” that the convention had brought him of the educational and young people’s work. It was an inspiring occasion. One after another spoke of the enlarged vision he had received of opportunities and possibilities in both departments; of his belief that, in the providence of God, these departments had been united, not only in the work of the convention, but also in active cooperation in the school and the field. We confidently look for a great impetus to be given to the educational and Missionary Volunteer work in the Pacific Union as a result of holding the council and the conventions.