EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE by L. A. Hoopes

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 21, 1900

EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE.

By L. A. Hoopes

In pursuance of the counsel of some of the leading brethren from the General Conference Committee, an educational conference, consisting of the heads of our schools, the president and the secretary of the General Conference, and Elder S. N. Haskell, and P. T. Magan, was called to convene at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, Aug. 1, 1900. There was a brief time in which to prepare for the meeting, and the only time that would be at all suitable was in the first part of August, before the opening of the schools. If it could not be held at that time, there would not be any time before the next General Conference.

The telegrams and notices sent out found the teachers all engaged, or under appointment to go elsewhere. However, the conviction seemed to settle upon each one that he must not remain away from the conference. So all were there.

The object of this meeting was to call together the representative heads of our various schools, to consider some of the special features of the educational work. Meetings of this character have been held in the past; some attempt has also been made at our General Conference sessions to discuss some of the important features of the educational work; but, for lack of time, there has not been given to the school work the consideration that its importance demands.

A simple program for the meeting was arranged, as follows: Rising bell, 5 A. M.; morning meeting, 6:30 to 6:30; council, 8 to 9:30, 10:30 to 12, and 3 to 5. The general subjects considered are as follows: (1) Text-books; (2) courses of study; (3) methods of teaching; (4) school government and discipline; (5) industrial work; (6) relation to public schools; (7) home and church schools; (8) financial management.

It was arranged that two teachers should talk on the respective topics, after which the question would be open for a free discussion on the part of all. Everyone was given an opportunity freely to speak his mind on any subject under consideration. It will be seen at once that the subjects considered were those that are of the deepest interest to every one engaged in school work, and they therefore elicited remarks from everyone present.

It would be quite difficult to say which topic was of the most importance. Circumstances have a great influence in the working of the several schools. The discussion revealed the fact that, while there was much diversity of opinion and sentiment as to methods and the details of the work, yet there was the greatest harmony and unity on the general plans of the educational work, and the reforms that should come into this department of our denominational work. All recognized that we are far behind our privileges as a denomination; that the light which the Lord let shine upon our educational work at its very beginning has not been heeded; that after so many years we are brought face to face with those problems, and are now struggling to get them inaugurated before the world, under a pressure of circumstances which are not the most encouraging; and that we have lost much by our neglect and indifference.

There was a unanimous opinion that our text-books should contain the pure, untarnished truth. While it may be necessary to continue to use some of the plain, simple text-books in use in the common schools, until better ones can be prepared, yet in selecting books to be continued in use, those containing infidel sentiments must be avoided; and as new text-books are brought out, they must be given a thorough examination, and be tested in actual practice in our schools.

In the question of the relation to the public schools, there was no tirade made against those schools. The fact was recognized that the public schools have an entirely different object in view from what our schools have. The public school has in view the preparation of the individual for a position as a citizen in the affairs of the earth, while the aim and object of the church school is to prepare the individual for work in the Third Angel's Message. Therefore in our educational system we should seek continually to arrange our school work with this in mind.

Very much was said on all topics under consideration; much was read from the Testimonies relative to the several subjects in the program. Elder Irwin read several communications from Sister White, bearing upon our educational work. Elder Haskell occupied the early morning hour in Bible study, emphasizing the fact that the study of the Bible and nature go together. The point most prominent was that, in order to get the idea of God on any particular topic, that topic should be traced all through the Bible.

Professor Magan laid before the conference the plan for the liquidation of the debts on our colleges, as set forth by Sister White in her communications to the committee that has in charge the enterprise for the book “Parables of Jesus, or Christ’s Object Lessons.”

When we take into consideration the brief time in which the meeting was planned; the attendance of members from all parts of the United States; the unanimity of sentiment on the general plans of the work; and the expression of gratitude that came from every member present, we believe that it was one of the most important meetings ever held, especially from an educational standpoint. All seemed to feel that there is a responsibility resting upon them as educators, as representatives of the institutions that have the molding effect upon the rising generation. There was a unanimous request that arrangements be made for the discussion of some of these topics at our next General Conference, where the general plans of our educational work may be considered by the delegates; and that at some time another meeting similar to this one be held, where the representatives of our schools may come together for counsel and prayer, as at this time.

Everything indicated that the meeting was in the order of the Lord. The teachers returned to their respective fields of labor full of courage in the Lord, each one feeling that he has a more definite understanding of how the other schools are working; and with the desire that the part he has to act should be in harmony with the great work of reform that God is calling for at this time.

L. A. HOOPES.