Church-School Work in the Central Union Conference by B. E. Huffman

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 4, 1907

Church-School Work in the Central Union Conference

By B. E. Huffman

We believe that in order to develop the church-school work along right lines, the leaders in this movement should understand the principles on which this work is to be conducted, and should be united in their plans for it. Teachers and parents should understand these principles alike, and should co-operate in carrying them into successful operation. We aim at thoroughness in the schoolroom and permanency in the churches.

From my first connection with this work several years ago, I believed the success of these schools depended upon true principles. I have never believed the statement which I heard made so often when I first took up this work, namely, “It does not require any special preparation in order to teach a good church-school. The Lord has called upon us to start these schools, and he will help any good Christian girl who will undertake the work to make a success of it.” I say I never believed that principle, and experience has proved it untrue. It does require special preparation in order to become a successful church-school teacher.

We have been obliged many times to employ some who have not had as much preparation for the work as they needed, but with careful supervision by conferences and co-operation on the part of the parents, these teachers are doing a good work. For their further development and for the benefit of all our teachers, Institutes have been conducted for six to eight weeks during the summer vacation. They are usually well attended and much appreciated by our teachers as well as by some who have never taught.

Our teachers’ reading course along the line of methods has done much to develop our teachers, and as they report their work regularly to the conference superintendent, he is able to keep in touch with their work and give counsel and help as needed. Our plan is to “educate, educate, educate.” We purpose to educate our teachers, to educate our churches, and to educate our children. We are bringing these principles before our people by Bible studies, lectures, and conventions in the churches, and by circulating our papers and leaflets setting forth these principles. A series of lessons arranged in the form of questions and answers is now being published in the Educational Messenger. Before the type is distributed, we have a small edition of these lessons printed in leaflet form for use among the churches. In some places these lessons are being studied by the churches on Sabbath. We desire so to present these principles before our people that when they accept them, they may become as well established in them as in any other principle of the third angel’s message.

We encourage the building of schoolhouses, and seek to maintain in each place where we have a school a constituency strong enough to support a good school. It seems that many of our people have proved themselves to be pilgrims, and it sometimes happens that strong churches and good schools are broken up by the removal of families from their vicinity. We urge our moving members to locate near some of our smaller companies, where they may have the advantage of a church-school, and where their help is needed.

B. E. HUFFMAN.