Thoughts for the New School Year by E. E. Gardner

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Oct 4, 1906

Thoughts for the New School Year

By E. E. Gardner

THE time is at hand when organized effort is again put forth to educate the children and youth of our land.

Public education is to-day, generally speaking, receiving well-merited attention. Many educators are working early and late from a love of learning simply, that they may be the best helpers in the acquisition of a liberal education.

When the greatest Teacher was among men, he found the children of this world wiser in their generation than the children of light. Shall it be true of us to whom the Author of learning has committed so much enlightenment for this generation? Shall we be less vigilant in the work of preparing the young for life's great work than those who seek this world's honor?

Ought we not to open our doors as early in the season, and as early in the day, as others do? We believe in entering the week's work a day in advance of the children of this world. In the opening of our schools this may not in all places be practicable. But where our school can not open till a little later than the public school, ought not every Seventh-day Adventist home be a training-school for at least its own children?

How will the scripture be fulfilled in our day and in us if we do not give special attention to our children in this day of preparation for the coming of the Lord? “And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” Mal. 4:6.

There are few parents in the land having children of an age to be educated but would themselves be benefited educationally by an effort for their children. Perhaps in addition to the great text-book, the Holy Bible, you have simply Our Little Friend, The Youth's Instructor, the REVIEW, the Signs, and the Watchman; these messengers of light are filled with up-to-date articles, both spiritual and educational.

It will do you good, and it will do the children good, for you to listen to them as they read articles of your selection from these papers. In most cases you can help them improve in pronunciation and articulation. Your experience will be a help to them in understanding some of the words they read. Should it be otherwise, you need the more to be an attentive listener in this home school. Be a member in the class, and take your turn in the exercise. Pronounce words frequently for the children to spell. You will find the part of teacher easy in this exercise, if sight and hearing are good.

Parents ought to know whether their children are apt and studious; whether or not they are respectful of authority, and are self-controlled in school work. Then by earnest counsel to their children, sympathy and prayers for their teachers, the work in the schoolroom is materially aided.

That our youth have proper advantages we must count the cost, plan and sacrifice much to secure the needed training for usefulness in the Master's vineyard. We may treat this matter indifferently, and the world will soon have those whom the Lord has given us to train for him. When he shall say to the fathers, “Where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?” will the response be, “Behold I and the children which God hath given me”?

E. E. GARDNER.