Work for the Young by Edmund C. Jaeger

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 27, 1911

Work for the Young

By Edmund C. Jaeger

There are about twenty-four million boys, and girls in the United States. Should you place these twenty-four million children side by side, they would make a line stretching from Los Angeles, Cal., across the United States and the Atlantic Ocean to Liverpool, England. That represents a long line of responsibility; for Jesus wants all these children to hear of his soon coming; it also means a large opportunity; for they are bright, eager, and for the most part willing to learn. If we can get the children to listen to the truths of God, we may look for a large harvest of souls. Their hearts are like steel to hold impressions and like wax to take them. I believe that we shall get more results from a dollar spent in reaching a child than from a thousand dollars spent in reaching an old, hardened sinner, who is full of doubts and prejudices.

It is a tremendous undertaking to reach these twenty-four million children with the third angel’s message; but it’s a fine one, and I can put great enthusiasm into it. In the boys and girls I find royal friends, and I know they are responsive to effort. I’ve thrown my lot in with them, and mean to keep it there until God calls me to do something else.

Over a year ago I took upon myself the task of seeing that some of the boys and girls in this country are given an opportunity to learn something of the third angel’s message. I gave up my profession as teacher, and entered the lecture platform as a special lecturer to grade and high schools on ethics, hygiene, and scientific temperance. The work began in a modest way, and has now grown to proportions exceeding all my expectations. In the short time spent in service in this field, I have been able to reach over one hundred thousand children and thousands of adults. Openings for lectures both in the schools and before public assemblies are now coming faster than they can be filled. The teachers in the schools have been ready to co-operate in the work, and the results are already beginning to show.

In this work I am often reminded of a certain philosopher who was continually talking to his friends about the fine garden in which he fondly walked every day, and in which he did his studying. One day he was visited by one of his friends. The philosopher’s guest was much surprised at finding that this extraordinary garden was only a patch of ground about the size of the floor of his own room. “What!” said he, “is this your garden? It’s not very broad.” “No,” said the philosopher, “it’s not very broad, but it’s a wondrous height!”

And so I may say regarding this work with the children,—it’s not a very large work, perhaps, but it’s of a wondrous height. It reaches right up to heaven and the Father’s throne.

Such reports as the following make me happy: A few years ago Mr. H, a wealthy landholder, began drinking. Today he is a sober man. What brought about this change? His two children attended the Lincoln school here in Riverside; they heard the lectures given month by month, and carried the good words home. The father was touched by their appeals that he stop drinking, and finally he granted their request. This reminds us of the truth that children can often accomplish reforms that their elders could not attempt.

“And still to childhood’s sweet appeal The heart of genius turns, And more than all the sages teach From lisping voices learns.”

In all my work I have tried to bring in the personal touch; I have sought to make the boys feel that I had their interests at heart, that we are brothers. This has made them feel free to come to me for advice in many matters in which they need the counsel of an older person. I believe I can truthfully say that I am personally acquainted with more children in Southern California than any other person in the State. One of the greatest joys of my life is to have these boys greeting me wherever I go in my travels. Sometimes I imagine I feel something like the Pied Piper of Hameln as I go from town to town. And as the piper is said to have entranced the children of the German village with his music, so may the Lord help me to win the hearts of these children to the truths of the message, and lead them on to the city of God.

I have just finished touring San Bernardino County, speaking to eight thousand children and teachers. This included instruction in sixteen grades and three high schools. At San Bernardino, the county-seat, the W. C. T. U. arranged for a meeting especially for young men, at which I presented a lecture on sex hygiene. There was a wholesome interest. At Redlands and Riverside the pastors of two of the largest churches gave up their Sunday evening pulpits for stereopticon health lectures. It would have done you good to see the interest of the people in health reform. They demand more such lectures. At Colton and Redlands I lectured before large audiences of young people on similar topics, trying to show them the way of life.

Many of these youth (I meet from three hundred to five hundred a day) are honest-hearted, and they should have an opportunity to hear more of God’s Word. I have secured the names of some of the most promising, hoping that I could induce some one to send them the Youth’s Instructor. I have hundreds of names on my lists, waiting for some one to send for them. Will you not, as you read this, decide to provide copies of this excellent paper for at least one young man or woman? I earnestly hope you will do something to help reach these children.

EDMUND C. JAEGER.