ORGANIZING A CHURCH SCHOOL.
By M. B. D.
The church at Wolf Lake, Ind., was in need of a school. It had needed a school for over a year. In fact, last fall it was thought that the children would have the privilege of obtaining a Christian education, but for various reasons most of them returned to the public school, and only a family school was conducted near Wolf Lake. This spring it was determined to begin work for the fall school in good season. Meetings were held, and the principles of education studied. Beginning with Moses and the prophets, as did the Saviour when talking with the disciples on the way to Emmaus, the history of God's people was found to lie wrapped in the bundle of life with Christian education. The words found in I Chron. 22 were made the basis of operation: “Be strong and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.” “Arise therefore, and be doing.” “Arise therefore, and build.” There was a church; there were children; a school building was needed. “Arise therefore and build.” But money was scarce, and the undertaking seemed too great. The word of the Lord is, “Arise and be doing.” While on bended knees the voice of God was heard telling each his duty. The pledges began to come in. Two housewives gave the proceeds from their chickens for the summer; another, the proceeds from her cucumbers. One man living in town gave all he could make from one-half acre of land planted to potatoes; another gave a cash donation of fifty dollars for the building, and pledged his second tithe for the support of the teacher. There were a number of pledges from five to ten dollars, and work enough to put up the building. There were carpenters, a brick layer, and a painter, and each offered to do his part. At the one meeting $190, besides the work, was pledged, and others promised help without stating the amount. The most encouraging feature was the children's pledge, amounting to $16. Six or eight of the little people, ranging in age from eight to ten years, were offered work on the farm by Brother Crandall. With the assurance of work they donated as they desired for their next year's school, with the result as stated. Every church where there are children should have a school. How much can be earned by the children alone, if the summer months are rightly employed? M. B. D.