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Twenty-Third Meeting

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 1, 1905

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 22.

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Twenty-Third Meeting

By Arthur G. Daniells; William A. Spicer

THE twenty-third meeting was called at 9:30 A. M., May 25, A. G. Daniells in the chair.
Prayer by Elder A. G. Haughey.
It was announced that the day was to be devoted to the educational work, and those taking part in the program were invited to the platform.
A call was made for the report of the committee on plans in regard to educational work, which was presented by L. A. Hoopes, and on motion considered item by item, as follows:—

On Educational Work

30. Recognizing the kind and favoring hand of God in our educational work, we hereby express our deep gratitude for his mercy and help, and further express our determination to work unitedly for more efficient co-operation and unification in this work for the future.
31. Resolved, That the Department of Education of the General Conference consist of twenty-five members representing all portions of the world, to be appointed by the General Conference Committee, and that five members, of whom the chairman or secretary shall be one, shall constitute a quorum.
32. We advise those in charge of our schools of all grades to seek for a higher standard of education in the Word of God, the sciences, and literary attainments, so as to prepare workers of sufficient education and culture to meet all classes of society.
33. Resolved, That we adopt sixteen grades as the standard of our educational system, with general divisions as follows:—
(a) Primary schools, grades one to seven.
(b) Intermediate schools, grades eight to ten.
(c) Colleges, grades eleven to sixteen.
In reply to questions,—B. G. Wilkinson explained that it was not intended to make any rigid limitation as to grades. If in the primary school special local conditions demand a higher grade, it should be left optional. It is the “general” plan that is recommended.
34. Resolved, That our training-schools be advised to so plan their work that the State examining boards, such as the Regents of New York, can give credit for any work done in these schools.
Whereas, In some of our schools there has been observed a lack of discipline, tending to militate against the ideals of our work, and to counteract much of the good which the schools are designed to do; therefore,—
35. Resolved, That the attention of the managers and teachers of our schools be hereby called to these important matters, and that they be urged to maintain a high standard of discipline and a pure moral atmosphere in all our schools, and that a special effort be made by the teachers to do heart-to-heart personal work for their students.
Whereas, The strength and efficiency of any department of the Lord’s work depends upon unity of spirit and harmony of action on the part of the workers; and,—
Whereas, The nature and character of our educational work in a special sense requires well-laid plans and the most hearty co-operation in the carrying out of these plans; therefore,—
36. Resolved, That we urge our educators to put forth earnest and well-directed efforts to unify the educational work,—
(a) By completing a simple and effective plan of organization in the General, union, and State conferences, the organization of each being a part of a harmonious system of education which will develop Christian character, and prepare our children and youth for the various lines of denominational work.
(b) By formulating courses of study for our primary, intermediate, and training schools, which shall be uniform in the subjects taught, and in harmony with the character and scope of work to be done by these three classes of schools.
(c) By the Educational Department, in counsel with the General Conference Committee, appointing a representative Text-book Committee, whose work shall be to examine manuscripts, text, supplemental, and reference books, and recommend those that are suitable for use in our various schools.
(d) By uniform adoption and use of the books and helps prepared by our people which have been approved by the Text-book Committee, and also, as far as practicable, the uniform adoption of books secured from other sources.
(e) By preparing a school manual which shall be used as a guide in our schools, and which shall contain,—
(1) A brief but comprehensive statement of the principles underlying the work of Christian education.
(2) The plan of organization.
(3) The courses of study.
(4) The lists of text, supplemental, and library books to be used, with the price of each, and where they may be secured.
(5) Suggestions as to the best methods to be employed in teaching the various subjects in the courses.
In reply to inquiry on section “d,”—
M. E. Cady explained the difficulty and confusion brought into our school work by lack of uniformity in courses of study and in books used. Lack of uniformity has led to changes in books, as one teacher succeeded another in a school, and parents are troubled over having to buy books different from those used the year before. A general agreement among educators will remedy this. And in bringing out text-books, it is essential that a book to be published shall be generally used, else the expense of bringing it out can not be met.
Inasmuch as there is a great responsibility not generally understood resting upon the members of our churches in the education and training of our youth,—
37. Resolved, That a vigorous educational campaign be carried on by the General, union, and State conferences,—
(a) By the publication and circulation of literature on primary-school work.
(b) By holding educational conventions, and by such other means as may seem advisable.
Whereas, There are great numbers of our young people who ought to be obtaining the benefits of a Christian education who are not in our schools,—
38. Resolved, That the teachers in our training-schools, as well as all our workers, take a more active interest in getting our young people into our schools; that a systematic correspondence be carried on by these schools throughout the year, and that as far as possible, the teachers labor in the field during vacation.
E. E. Miles emphasized the need of work in the churches, from family to family, looking out young people who ought to be in school.
Whereas, It appears that one cause of weakness in our schools, particularly those of the primary and intermediate grades, is due to the lack of sufficient supervision; therefore,—
39. We recommend, That each conference provide for the schools within its territory to be closely supervised by a competent superintendent or visiting board, who shall visit these schools as the needs require.
Whereas, The conducting of our primary schools is an action requiring careful planning and good counsel; therefore,—
40. We recommend, That no schools should be established or discontinued without advice or counsel from the conference officials.
M. E. Cady urged that conference officers take a real burden to give encouragement and counsel in this very important matter. While there have been discouragements by starting schools more rapidly than we were prepared to operate them in a satisfactory way, it is so important a matter that the officers of a conference ought to be alert and watchful to promote school work in every way possible.
41. We recommend, That intermediate schools should not be established without the co-operation and counsel of the union conference.
Whereas, In almost every church where schools are located our teachers are called upon to aid in church work which requires experienced workers; therefore,—
42. We recommend, That the corps of teachers in our primary and intermediate schools be strengthened,—
(a) By encouraging more mature persons to engage in the work; and,—
(b) By each conference committee encouraging many of our young men who are preparing for the ministry to spend a part of their time teaching primary and intermediate schools.
Whereas, There is a dearth of thoroughly qualified teachers in our schools of all grades; therefore,—
43. We recommend, That our training-schools make provision for a more thorough training of our prospective teachers, and that a thorough knowledge of the common branches of study and of the Bible and Testimonies should be obtained by these teachers, together with the best methods of conducting and teaching our schools.
44. We recommend, That the union conference educational secretary, together with the State superintendents, shall constitute an examining board to provide questions and conduct examinations for the promotion of students and the granting of certificates to teachers.
45. We recommend, That, as far as advisable, conferences provide employment for teachers when not engaged in school work, placing them at work selling publications, giving Bible readings, assisting in tent-meetings, etc.
46. In order to guard against the improper use of the word “professor,” we express it to be the understanding of the Department of Education that this title should be limited in its use to those who are or who have been engaged in advanced lines of education.
47. Resolved, That a uniform system of examinations in each union conference be provided to be given to our teachers, and that regular courses of reading and study be required, and that certificates or credentials be given all such teachers as are considered properly qualified.
48. We recommend, That the conference authorities who are charged with the duty of licensing teachers for our denominational schools give due recognition to the work of schools accredited by the Educational Department of the General Conference by exempting graduates from the normal departments of such schools from literary examinations for two years after graduation, and longer if they deem best.
49. Recommended, That the Department of Education, in conjunction with the General Conference Committee, be authorized to call conventions at such times and places as they think the needs require, and, that a general convention be held next year.
Action was taken on the entire report, which was unanimously adopted.
Adjourned.
A. G. DANIELLS, Chairman,
W. A. SPICER, Secretary.