Membership of Attainment by M. E. K.

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

Membership of Attainment

By M. E. K.

WE appeal to all our parents and older people to lend their influence to the general movement that has been started to have our young people study the truths of this message and the history of our denomination. A knowledge of the present truth and of the providences of God in the rise and progress of the advent message is absolutely essential for holding and enlisting our young people in this work. The specific directions given to ancient Israel concerning the teaching of the principles of truth to their children, are just as applicable now as then. “These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart : and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Deut. 6: 6, 7.

By means of monuments, and the observance of memorial days, the Israelites were ever to keep in mind, and teach to their children, the wonderful history of God’s dealings with his people.

The cardinal truths of the third angel’s message ought to be constantly studied in the homes of our people in such a way as to make them attractive to the children and youth. We have a very favorable opportunity to do this, now that our Sabbath-school lessons are on “A Synopsis of Present Truth,” and the special series of the Signs will give a forceful and attractive presentation of these great principles in the form of Bible readings.

“Our Truth” number of the Instructor, to be issued in December, will also be very helpful to the young. These special issues of the Signs and Instructor should be studied, and then carried by hundreds of thousands to people who do not know these things.

In our homes, as well as in Sabbath-schools and church services, the remarkable history of the advent movement should be studied. “The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” Luke 16: 8. The history of the United States, and the names of its great men, are constantly kept before the minds of the children in the public schools, and this has its effect in training the youth in the love of country and for citizenship. And some of our own children are more familiar with these statesmen and heroes of the nation than with the heroes of the advent message,—men whom God has used in the beginning of the greatest movement in connection with the history of the plan of salvation.

There came to my notice, recently, two little books which impressed me much, a “Junior History of Methodism,” and “Heroes of the Methodist Church,” written for children. The one object of this literature is to make Methodists.

We are living in the time when God has set his hand to finish this work. “Both the youth and those older in years will be called from the field, from the vineyard, and from the workshop, and sent forth by the Master to give his message. Many of these have had little opportunity for education; but Christ sees in them qualifications that will enable them to fulfil his purpose. If they put their hearts into the work and continue to be learners, he will fit them to labor for him.” “With such preparation as they can gain, thousands upon thousands of the youth and those older in years should be giving themselves to this work. Already many hearts are responding to the call of the Master Worker, and their numbers will increase. Let every Christian educator give such workers sympathy and co-operation.”—“Education,” page 270, 271.

During the first week in March there is to be given to all our young people who desire it, an examination in the truths of the third angel’s message and denominational history. Certificates of attainment will be granted to those who can pass the test. The examination in Bible doctrines will be based on the present Sabbath-school lessons, the Bible Reading series of the Signs, and “Our Truth” number of the Instructor. “The Great Second Advent Movement,” by Elder Loughborough, will be the basis of the examination in denominational history. Lessons on this book will be sent to those who request them, enclosing stamp. The Missionary Volunteer Reading Course, now being conducted through the Instructor, will also be a help to those who follow it.

And now let every loyal heart ring out the call, “Advance!” to our “army of youth.” Let the first report of the membership of attainment be a large one.

M. E. K.