Not the Wrong System by F. D. Starr

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 26, 1904

Not the Wrong System

By F. D. Starr

F. D. STARR

God’s plan for the government of his ancient people was that of rule by judges, as seen by such scriptures as Deut. 17:8, 9; Acts 13:20. But they did not seem to make a success of this system. The last few chapters of the book of Judges reveal a condition of things almost rivaling that of Sodom itself. A change seemed to be an absolute necessity. The sentiment of the people seems to be evinced by such expressions as that found in Judges 21:25, the closing statement of the book: “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” The same idea is expressed in Judges 17:6; 18:1, and 19:1. The idea seems to be that inasmuch as there was no restraining hand of royalty to check the unruly elements, things went on in a very loose and disorderly manner. So the people finally decided they must have a change, and when Samuel’s ungodly sons were appointed judges, they said matters had gone far enough, and they would adopt another system; they must have a king. Samuel remonstrated with them, and told them they were making a great mistake, but their minds were set; they had tried God’s plan long enough to satisfy themselves that it would not work; another style of government would be better for them anyway; kingly rule would better restrain their disorderly elements. It is true that if a mild discipline is abused, then something more severe must

be introduced. State prison government is the best kind of government for some people, indeed it is the only kind of government that will answer for them. But God designs more liberty and a better kind of government for those who will not abuse it. The trouble with the people was they were not well disciplined in self-government. The change they needed was not a change in the system; the system was all right. The change needed was a change in themselves.

In this is a practical lesson for us. We may often think some plan that the Lord has introduced is not so good as some other plan, and that we have tried his plan long enough to demonstrate its inefficiency. Take the church-school system, for instance. Nothing can be plainer than that this is God’s chosen plan for the education of the young. But some have tried the plan long enough to satisfy themselves that it will not work successfully, and so they return to the same system as all their neighbors around them, the public school system, and the benefits God designs for the young are withheld from them. But is the trouble with the church-school system?—By no means. A change is needed without doubt, but what change?—A change at home. The trouble may be with the parents, it may be with the pupils, it may be with the teacher, it may be with the local methods used, or it may be with all together, but the trouble is not with the system. Church-schools seem to have developed one fact quite clearly, and that is that there is a great lack of home government and home discipline. The home school should be made a success, and so better church-schools will result. Of the young it may be said, “Let them learn first to show piety at home.” 1 Tim. 5:4. Success to the church-school.