The Correspondence School by William E. Howell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 16, 1909

The Correspondence School

By William E. Howell

Some Principles for the Correspondent Student

A FEW more words about correspondence study before the opening of the Correspondence School, Monday, October 4. So many expressions of appreciation and of encouragement regarding this new enterprise have come to our desk, that we are moved to more determined effort to make it a decided success. Our office correspondence is so heavy that we can not say through that means all that ought to be said before correspondence study is actually entered upon. A little heart-to-heart talk with our prospective students might not be out of place at this juncture.

Down deep in your soul you have cherished for years a longing to become something better than you are, to do something better than you are doing, and to do the thing you are doing, better than you are doing it. This is good; no nobler desire could burn within you. “Be not simply good; be good for something.” “Thousands pass through life as if they had no definite object for which to live, no standard to reach. Such will obtain a reward proportionate to their works.” If you have ever belonged to this class, you have left their ranks by determining to take up correspondence study, by forming a definite purpose and by entering upon a definite work to accomplish it.

There are a few well-defined principles which you should look squarely in the face before laying hold of the plow, in order that you may “plow in hope.” “No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” The wise man says, “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold [“winter,” margin].” He puts his hand to the plow doubtless with the best of intentions. The delightful days of autumn cheer his spirits. He revels in bright visions of a bountiful harvest. All the earth and the things therein seem to move parallel to his purpose. But the season advances, winter settles down, his face stings from the chill winds, his hands grow stiff on the plow handles, his feet clog with adhesive earth, his visions vanish, and he vanishes from the field with them. What is the sequel? “Therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.”

This is not a fanciful picture. It forecasts an experience awaiting him who “sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost.” This is principle number one: Count the cost. The longer life continues, the more clearly we see that the really desirable thing costs effort to obtain it. “There is no excellence without great labor.” This is why the Saviour so often urges us to “seek,” to “strive,” to “dig.” This is why Paul says, “I follow after,” “I press toward the mark.” This is why we are told in “Christ’s Object Lessons:” “Remember that you will never reach a higher standard than you yourself set. Then set your mark high.” This is principle number two: Set your mark high.

The reason for this need of energetic action is that there are always lions in the street to success. No hunter ever goes on a chase without equipping himself beforehand with suitable trappings. It is well for us also to get a “good ready” before we enter the race. The correspondence student works alone. He is without the stimulus of associates who are pursuing the same study, and without the encouragement of daily personal contact with Christian teachers. There will come times when his interest will lag, when the way will seem hard. He will be strongly tempted to think that this correspondence study is not what it was represented to be. Some byway or “retreat” will look more attractive. He will be inclined to say, “Well, I haven’t the time anyway. I can’t study with so many interruptions. I think next year I’ll have more time and better conditions for study. Perhaps, too, I can go to college then. I’ll drop it for now.” And, like the sluggard plowman, he vanishes from the field of knowledge and power to beg along the highway of possibilities the rest of his days. But—

There Is a Remedy

for these human ills. Nature and revelation unite to provide it. When you feel a wane of interest creeping over you, work the harder. There is nothing like hard work to kill a lagging spirit. There is nothing like thoroughly acquainting one’s self with a good subject to develop a real interest in it. Know it, and you’ll like it; this is principle number three. But do not hold yourself to the task too long at one sitting. Hard work will hurt nobody as long as he enjoys it and keeps sweet-tempered about it; but the laws of nature say, Take a change—principle number four. Refresh yourself. Go briskly on an errand you want to do. Take a run in the open air. Do a little intensive physical work. Then go back to your task, and you will find its whole complexion has changed while you were gone.

If time seems scarce, stop studying for one day, take a note-book, and while you go about your other duties in the usual way, jot down the minutes, the quarter- and half-hours, you might have employed in your study if you had at hand a book or a lesson sheet, or something copied from them for the purpose. Make a note of the time also that you observe some one else about you let run to waste. Before retiring at night, foot up your columns, and note the results. With this revelation, try your lesson again the next day. But before beginning it, read pages 342-344 in “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Picture to yourself how many people you have observed sitting in a street-car or a train looking idly out of the window, gazing vacantly about the car, or that you have seen standing “doless” at the waiting station. Think how many people you have heard blame others for taking their precious time by being late at an appointment or by delaying dinner. Ask God to help you not to be as other men are in these respects, and then seize upon your task anew. Let this be principle number five: “Only let the moments be treasured”—be a minuteman.

On the general principles of self-denial and perseverance, note the expressions Paul uses in rehearsing his Christian experience: “If by any means I might attain.” “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge [I am seeking].” “I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win.” “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Reflect that “opportunity is the command of God.” “Then note these striking words from ‘Christ’s Object Lessons:’”

“As the will of man co-operates with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent. Whatever is to be done at his command, may be accomplished in his strength. All his biddings are enablings.”

And these: “Remember that you will never reach a higher standard than you yourself set. Then set your mark high, and step by step, even though it be by painful effort, by self-denial and sacrifice, ascend the whole length of the ladder of progress. Let nothing hinder you. Fate has not woven its meshes about any human being so firmly that he need remain helpless and in uncertainty. Opposing circumstances should create a firm determination to overcome them. The breaking down of one barrier will give greater ability and courage to go forward. Press with determination in the right direction, and circumstances will be your helpers, not your hindrances.”

The spirit of these words suggests principle number six—Make circumstances your helpers; and principle number seven—Press toward the mark you yourself have set. Only one more principle need be mentioned now: Make your teacher your confidant. Tell him all your troubles. Ask him all the questions you need to for a clear understanding of the subject you are studying. The teacher in correspondence study esteems it his duty and his pleasure to help you in every time of need. Copy out of this article the eight principles that have been mentioned, write them neatly on a card, and keep them in sight while you study.

Special Mention

Correspondence School announcements and registration blanks have now been sent out to all parts of the country. It is our purpose to keep a supply in the hands of all Missionary Volunteer and educational secretaries of the union and local conferences. To save time, requests may be sent to them. All registration blanks, when filled out, should be sent direct to the Correspondence School. October 4 is now drawing very near. Will all who can register as charter members of the school, please send in their application blanks properly filled out, as soon as possible, in order that all the details of classification may be attended to before the opening day? The school will be continuously open for the admission of students, but the more who can begin at the opening, the better for all concerned. Remember that first correspondence lesson we had August 5 on promptness—the second P in your watchword for success.

W. E. HOWELL.