God's Plan Working Out by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Nov 7, 1907

God's Plan Working Out

By C. M. S.

NEVER in the history of the world was so great a work given to so small a people to be accomplished in so short a time, as this great work committed to us to be done in this generation.

That being true, it is also true that we can not do that work upon plans laid down by other organizations for the accomplishment of other kinds of work. We must have plans in harmony with the character and magnitude of the divinely appointed undertaking. The work is a specific work. Its boundary lines were established by the Giver at the time of the giving—“to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.”

David dared not essay the great task of overthrowing the giant of Gath while clothed in the unproved, cumbrous armor of Saul. Neither can we accomplish the great undertaking placed before us if we take up the work upon plans inaugurated by men for doing an altogether different work.

That is why we have developed a system of church-schools.

We have no quarrel with the public schools. They were designed for a certain, definite object, the education of children in the knowledge believed to be essential to success in this life. So far as we know, they are, in the main, accomplishing this object in a creditable manner. They were not designed to teach the Word of God or train pupils for missionary work either at home or abroad. To expect them to do so would be unreasonable in us. Such an undertaking for them would be an impossible task. Their system is not built up on that plan. Such a result is not within their contemplation.

But there is a system of education designed to accomplish that purpose. In it the Word of God is made much of; faith in God and in the atoning work of Christ is taught; the needs of the mission field are studied; the progress of the cause is followed; and the ideal is held before the children of becoming workers in that cause. The whole trend of the instruction is away from the ideals of the worldling and toward the ideals of the better country. In place of worldly gain is set forth the principle of the sacrifice of self for the uplifting of others. Above the importance of position and the great value of worldly commodities is set the importance of a Christian character and the great worth of a soul. Thus is developed in the child from day to day a longing for a part in the work of God, and naturally a shaping of his life into harmony with that ideal.

We are seeing this year the outworking of this principle. Never in the history of our work has the attendance at all our schools shown so great an increase over previous years. It is the

direct fruit of the church-school undertaking. Our youth, educated under church-school influences, are seeking further preparation for the closing work of God. It is the almost universal testimony of our school managers that their attendance on the opening of school this year is larger than ever before, and that the class of students entering have, generally speaking, a definite purpose to fit themselves for the work of carrying the third angel's message to the world. This is not a mere matter of chance, a happen-so. It is the result of following the Lord's leadings in educational matters; and that result will soon be seen in the rapidly increasing army of laborers going out into the field to finish the work. These earnest, educated young men and women, full of zeal for the cause, will soon be mastering the most difficult languages in the regions beyond, and giving the people this message in their own tongue.

Need it ever be a question, then, in the mind of any loyal Seventh-day Adventist whether he should send his children to the church-school? If we desire our children educated in the fear of God; if we desire to see them efficient workers in this cause; if we desire their soul's salvation more than worldly advancement and worldly ideals, we shall not question and hesitate over the matter. It is God's plan, not man's, and he will bless those who bring their purposes into harmony with his.

C. M. S.