The Financial Problem by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 9, 1908

The Financial Problem

By Editor

THERE is no problem confronting our educational institutions more perplexing than that of their finances. Nearly all our schools have had difficulties, more or less serious, with this question. We have undertaken enterprises upon a larger scale than were justified by the results. We have expected the Lord to supply our needs and to make effective our plans. We felt that we were exercising faith, but the results would make it appear that we exercised presumption. We have this satisfaction, however: we were honestly doing what we thought to be for the best.

It can not be disputed that our schools are, in the nature of the case, perplexing financial problems. However, these problems can and must be solved. The solution may be summed up in this: we must raise the price of board, room, and tuition until our income covers all necessary and legitimate expenditures. Another means of financial success is to have accurate financial statements at regular, stated intervals. One of the most prolific sources of failure in conducting the business of our schools is a lack of proper financial statements. Then there are always the “leaks,” to be most carefully guarded against and stopped. It is, however, possible to spend more energy in curtailing expenses than in developing the resources of the school. We have thousands of children and youth who are not in our schools. If these were brought to attend, it would assist very materially in making the schools a financial success. We should profit by our past failures, but we must not become discouraged. We must make the school a financial success, for there is no lesson that we can teach our students that will be of more value than this one.