The Week of Prayer and Our Schools
By W. T. Bland
The one event that is common to all our schools at the same time, and is perhaps of greater importance than any other in the entire school year, is the week of prayer. No other occasion is of so great significance, or is fraught with consequences which are so far reaching as this. The faithful teachers have, from the opening days of the school, looked forward to this time with feelings of much anxiety. When careful, progressive instruction has been given not only in the general meetings, but in the regular class work and in personal interviews, it is but reasonable to expect good results from this occasion. First of all, the teachers are anxious for the conversion of every student who has not yet made a profession of religion. They also greatly desire to witness a genuine revival in the Christian experience of the entire school. It is certainly proper that the earnest efforts of every teacher should be directed in such a manner that these results may be brought about. This is one of the distinctive features wherein the Christian and the public schools differ, and only as this phase of the denominational school is made successful can it truly be called a Christian institution. The converted student who enjoys a living, Christian experience will do better work in his studies, and will get from his school privileges more results that are lasting and far reaching than he could possibly otherwise obtain. Hence the very object of these schools is to provide an education for their students which is positively Christian in character, and which will thoroughly develop Christian workers. For this reason the week of prayer is always looked forward to as the one special time when all previous efforts shall culminate in a unity of spirit and sentiment throughout the entire school. When this has been successfully done, the efforts during the remainder of the school year may be properly devoted not only to the development of Christian growth, but to preparation for definite future endeavor. Preparation for Missionary Work
The week of prayer is also an occasion affording one of the best opportunities of the school year for presenting to the students the subject of the great mission fields of the world and their needs, not only of funds with which to carry forward the gospel work already begun, but of men and women upon whom have been laid the burden to go to these fields, and who are willing to consecrate their lives to this work, and to make the necessary preparation to carry it successfully forward. Many a student whose heart has been made tender by the influence of the Spirit of God during the week of prayer has been impressed to consecrate his life to some particular phase of Christian work, and often have the great mission fields of the world seemed most inviting. When it is remembered that the gospel of the kingdom is to go to all the world, certainly the importance of the work in foreign fields can not be easily overestimated. Never in the history of God's truth in the earth has there been so great need of Calebs and Joshuas as at the very present time. Young men and women are needed who are acquainted with God, who have thoroughly prepared themselves for his service, who have an abiding faith in his Word, and who keep themselves humble, and are willing to deny themselves in order that they may do the greater work for him. That this may be accomplished there rests with every school—from the church school, where the first impressions are made, and seeds of truth planted, to the college, where the final work of preparation is completed—grave responsibilities; and the effective work of the week of prayer is the pivot upon which many of these things turn. While every church and every individual member of the church is now earnestly considering the annual offering, which is one of the features of this time, and while all are anxious that the fund thus raised this year for foreign missions shall be greatly increased over that of former years, it is a matter that should not be overlooked in any of our schools. It is an occasion that can be made both interesting and profitable. Let all be especially impressed with the fact that this is a fund raised for carrying forward the work in the most needy fields. Even the children of the church school and the Sabbath-school may take an active interest in raising this fund. Much of this money will be used in bringing about the conversion and education of children and youth in heathen lands, and every one who contributes to it will to that extent be actually engaged in foreign mission work. While some may donate to this fund in a general way, there may be others, either individual members or entire schools, who may be particularly interested in some special country or enterprise to which they may desire their contribution to go. Whatever plan will stimulate the greatest interest in the work and bring the greatest blessing not only to the one who gives, but to the object of the donation itself, will be the best to adopt. May it not be that all our schools will take hold of this work in all seriousness; that they will make it an occasion of spiritual awakening and genuine growth; and may not the contributions received create a large fund to carry forward a greater work in our mission fields during the year 1904 than that of any previous year? We shall be glad to receive reports from every school thus making a special effort during this time, to know the results of the week of prayer, and the amount of the fund raised for the foreign work, or any special feature of it. Certainly the Lord will bless these schools, and every effort that is put forth in them to advance his cause in the earth. Parents may be able at this time to encourage their children greatly by sending to them an extra allowance for their week-of-prayer offering; even the little ones at home, perhaps in the church school, may also be helped to have an active part in this work. We are told that in India the expenses in our mission school are only one dollar a month for each student. Already some of our people have taken up this matter, and are supporting one or more students. Similar conditions exist in the mission fields of Africa and some of the islands of the sea. To-day there are those who have been students and teachers in our schools of this country who are pushing forward the gospel work in all these lands. In a little while others will go out to unite with them in their efforts, or to open up new fields, and every donation to this work, with every prayer offered in its behalf, will be a source of great help and encouragement to those engaged in it. W. T. BLAND.