Reforms in Education by J. E. Tenney

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 6, 1906

Reforms in Education

By J. E. Tenney

It is not enough that God has given us educational principles which bear the divine imprint. That a system of educational effort has been arranged such as God approves will not be sufficient guarantee of our success. Every one to whom God has given a work in connection with our schools must feel that he is responsible to God not only for the faithful application of the principles underlying our school work, but for the reception of such advanced light and the establishment of such reforms as will always impart a freshness and vigor to the work. Every true teacher is a reformer. The time in which we are living calls loudly for such teachers. There is, therefore, ample scope for the use of such improved methods and plans as may result from prayer, earnest study, and the employment of natural gifts.

It seems to be evident that two points in particular must be emphasized in the work our schools are designed to do in the training of workers. Our schools that have in hand this important work should exercise great care in the selection of students. Many times we find those in our training-schools who give little promise of becoming workers either from the standpoint of ability or from disposition. That these souls need attention is true, but it should be supplied in other ways than by adding to the burden and work of schools designed of God for a special work. An advanced step has been taken in the direction of connecting our schools more closely with our mission work both at home and in foreign lands. This movement will amount to little unless the hearts of those upon whom rests the responsibility in connection with our training-schools have a burden to see that accomplished which should be done.

There is another matter which may be profitably considered under this heading. There is a great difference in the equipment and surroundings of our educational institutions. Each school has its field of operation, and the young people who should be prepared for service. It is a great mistake when our schools think it necessary to enter on a competitive course and make special efforts to secure students from other than the territory which the institution represents. The work is one, and all should consider that there are interests in all fields which are understood only by those who have that work in charge; and it is unfortunate that interferences should come from other parts of the country in the hope of securing patronage. The young are frequently restless and unstable, and when announcements are received portraying in glowing colors the natural advantages of a location, and the excellent equipment and other advantages of a school, the minds of such young people are frequently diverted from paths of real duty and advancement, and the needy field is deprived of the assistance it should receive.

Let us be loyal to our work as a whole, and be ambitious so to conduct our schools as to adapt them to the needs of the field in which they are located, and leave every other school free to do the same.

The Southern Training-school solicits students from the Southern Union Conference; and all the students that can be secured for a training are needed in that field, and should be trained in its school.

J. E. TENNEY.