Which School Shall It Be? by H. R. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 7, 1911

Which School Shall It Be?

By H. R. S.

WITHIN two or three weeks our schools will open their doors for another year's work. Careful preparations have been made for this; Christian teachers have been selected; equipment has been added, and repairs have been made just as far as finances will permit. At the camp-meetings and in the churches the reasons for establishing and maintaining institutions where training may be given in harmony with the principles of Christian education have been carefully set before our people. Those who represent the field at home and abroad have told of the sore need of workers who have had a thorough preparation in the subjects necessary for one who can properly present the great three-fold message.

It now remains for our brethren and sisters to do their part. It becomes our duty to see that those in our churches who will attend school should enter our own schools.

The nearer we approach the end, the closer we must draw our young people to us. We must shield them from the innumerable temptations in the world, and place within their reach every possible means whereby they can grow up in this message. Every day it becomes more and more apparent that we must look to those who are being educated in our schools to carry this message to its final triumph.

Those in charge of our schools are giving careful thought to the question of the subjects which should be taught, that no essentials may be lacking, and that at the same time the non-essentials may be weeded out.

Complaints sometimes come to us that our schools are poorly equipped. It is true that our schools should have better facilities for carrying on their work; on the other hand, if they received the loyal support they deserve, they would be full to overflowing; more teachers could then be employed, so that the courses of study could be strengthened, and better equipment provided.

But there is a more important part to consider. The laborers needed now are those whose vision of the work to be done is in no wise obscured by popular beliefs or worldly policy. There must be a keen discernment between right and wrong, that they may be definite in their warning against those subtle philosophies which to-day lie so close to the truth. How can they do this if the training has been received where the teaching is in plain contradiction to the spirit of the truth we are to give the world at this time?

Some have given as an excuse that they can not afford the expense of sending their sons and daughters to our schools. A careful study of this problem shows that the greater number of the students who have passed through our schools are from those who could least afford the expense. A large number of students have earned their own way. Many others are sent by those who felt they must send their children, no matter how great the sacrifice, because they had given them to the Lord, to be used in his service, and because they felt deeply the necessity of having them educated into that service.

In the parable of the field it took all to secure the pearl. To-day it will take all that the parents and church can do to save the young people from being carried away by the manifold temptations which Satan is ever keeping before them. If you have not already planned for your son or daughter to enter one of our own schools, then look at this matter in the light of the times in which we live, the nearness of the end, and the demands for workers who have been trained for Christian service.

H. R. S.