A Lesson From the Past
By F. G.
The great Reformer, Martin Luther, recognized the value of education as a means of forwarding the work of God in the earth. He and his associates are accordingly reckoned not only as reformers in religious matters, but as founders of a great educational movement. There was a life and power in their work because of the fundamental principle upon which they built,—that of an education as a means of salvation. Their idea of salvation was a thoroughly practical one; for they recognized that God had a kingdom of grace to be established in this earth, and that the subjects of this kingdom could not best serve their Sovereign unless they were intelligent concerning the useful and necessary things in this world. Education thus became not simply an adjunct of the Reformation, but an intrinsic part of it, and as such, education and religion could not be separated, as indeed they were not in Luther's great plan of work. We hear him saying: “Let every one know, therefore, that above all things it is his duty (for otherwise he will lose divine favor) to bring up his children in the fear and knowledge of God, and if they have talents, to have them instructed and trained in a liberal education, that men may be able to have their aid in government and in whatever is necessary.” This principle, that religion and education are to be co-ordinated, is one which has given to every religious movement of worth not only a great inspiration, but a permanency. Christ himself taught, and the early church recognized, the great importance of the proper recognition and training of children. The lesson to us from all this is not far to seek. As the education of the children and youth was considered a fundamental part of the Reformer's work, co-ordinate with the great religious movement, and without which it could not be carried forward and permanently established, so is it to be considered by us. We are to be earnest exponents of true education, not alone for its own sake, but for its aid in hastening this message to the world, and its finishing in this generation.