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Educational Progress

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 2, 1872

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 39, No. 16.

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Educational Progress.

By Jos. Clarke

Important eras in the history of the church and the world have been so attended by favoring circumstances, so heralded by prophecy, and accompanied by power, as to clearly prove that, amid all the conflicting influences always at work in this world, there has been, and still is, existing somewhere, a wise, loving, all-powerful mind, controlling and arranging events, to the accomplishment of plans and purposes reaching infinitely into the dim past and the unexplored future.
Look at the condition of the political world at the time of our Saviour's advent, and what student of history is not convinced that an unseen mind and hand had arranged and controlled the affairs of nations so as to favor that sublime and important event, the incarnation of God's own Son. Never, before or since, has the world seen so favorable a time for that act in the drama of our world's history.
Again, behold the kind providence of God in the great Reformation of the sixteenth century, a reformation which, in fact, gave the man of sin his deadly wound. We stand amazed as we consider the chain of events in the moral, political, and literary world, which formed the warp and woof of that important movement.
Indeed, it seems clearly evident from history that man, as an individual, however important a part he may be called upon to act, is but a fragment in the great whole—only acting for a short time, then giving way to others, who again pass from our sight, while the great and wondrous plan is ever present with its ever-changing hues, unbroken and connected in all its parts.
At the time of this writing, a great and noble work is in progress. God's people are everywhere awaking to the necessity of preparing for the second advent of our Lord. Voices are heard almost everywhere, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh! Prepare for his coming! Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus!
This event has been heralded by no common signs, and it is attended now by wonderful events in the moral, political, and literary world. Communities, and States, and nations, are awaking as if stirred by some mighty power; and, as if to give speed to improvement, men send news, or travel, with almost miraculous speed, and events are consequently accomplished in an incredibly short period of time.
A few months sufficed to ruin one of the most powerful nations of the earth; and unfortunate France exclaimed, “It is our ignorance that has ruined us.” There is sober common sense in these words, and we see that the nations of Europe are awaking.
Russia expends seventeen millions in a single year upon popular education, and yet falls short in her plans, nor can she find teachers as her necessities demand. London passes a law compelling all children of proper age to attend her common schools, and all England is stirred in her efforts to educate the masses. Prussia, not content with her present favorable condition as to popular education, is maturing improved plans for elevating her common schools. Italy has not only set aside the effete, antiquated system of popery, but has established an excellent system of popular education. Brazil has thrown off the chains of slavery and calls for more school books. Japan is sending her youth to Europe and America to learn the elements of modern civilization. China appropriates a million and a half for the same purpose for her sons.
In 1864, an American College was established near Constantinople, and opened with only four students. It has now 47 Bulgarians, 47 Armenians, 38 Greeks, 12 English, 4 Germans, 4 Italians, 3 Americans, 3 Jews, and several from other nationalities. In this college, many languages are taught, but the English language is the basis of all, and all are required to learn it.
Why this awaking to the education of the masses everywhere, even among the dark and bigoted inhabitants of Eastern Asia, and in benighted Turkey, and enslaved Russia? Has the temporal millennium dawned upon the earth? Nay, verily. We everywhere behold every form of selfishness, and pride, and licentiousness, and crime, more bold than ever. Wickedness never, reveled more freely than at present.
Why, then, this stir in favor of free schools? Have crowned heads become less selfish? Have governments become more benevolent and large-hearted? Do we not see, rather, more corruption and rottenness in the civil power than ever before? Shall we not attribute the great improvements in modern free schools to the direct agency of Heaven, as much as in the modern improvements in respect of means of transit and labor by which the elements are pressed into the service of man?
Yes; God no doubt is thus preparing the way. Minds are being enlightened, and means prepared, for the rapid spread of the truth. Some from all languages, and tongues, and nations, will accept the glad news of the kingdom.
It is an almighty power that has set in motion numberless agencies for the accomplishment of his wise and kind purposes, in the preparing of a people for his praise.
Man may glory in his skill and energy, in leveling mountains, and bridging the river and the valley. He may be proud of his ocean telegraph, and his power over the elements to harness them to his car, or ship, or ingenious machine. He may boast of his skill in the arts, almost miraculous in its results. He may exult in his literary attainments, institutions, and advantages. But let him first consider the over-ruling mind and hand that controls all. Then let him consider the vast moral, political, intellectual, and physical ruin all around us, that makes all their artificial arrangements necessary. Then let him indulge pride if it is possible.
No; there is no room for pride, even if it were lawful to be proud. As well might the unfortunate collier be vain of the windlass that is to raise him from the ruins of the falling mine, as for man to be vain of the improvements of the age.
Well may there be improvements, now that the resurrection morn draws so near; now that the end of all things earthly advances with its darkening shadow; now that the night of man's earthly hopes has already begun to settle down in the distance.
In a moment, at the last trump! That moment is nearing! Swiftly it approaches! No wonder that angels are making so great an effort to enlighten the world. It is not singular that our race are stimulated to their best efforts in this day of God's preparation.
Human learning, how excellent! how useful! But how it pales before the knowledge that will be intuitive in the souls of the redeemed. Human skill, how grand! How it lightens and facilitates labor! But how it dwindles before the skill of the divine Architect; and how all our modern appliances will appear, when the cloudy chariot takes in its freight and sets out in its majestic ascent to the heavenly city!
At that sight, how will even kings and emperors despise their gorgeous palaces and splendid retinues, and turn from them with disgust.
Let not man deceive himself with appearances. If he would get a right view of earthly glory, he must first get a view of the heavenly glory, and a sight of the beauties of the celestial world. Then he would properly appreciate the improvements of the age.
Daniel wrote, many centuries in the past, of the time of the end, that many would run to and fro, and that knowledge would be increased. It is now that his words are being realized, but shall we mistake the blossom for the fruit?
Nahum spoke of the day of his preparation; Isaiah and the other prophets have all spoken of this day; and shall we ignore the facts, and shut ourselves in darkness? Shall we lock ourselves in the dungeon of unbelief and then bury the key?
Reader, would you escape the follies of the age, and the results of those follies? Then read the word of God, and search out its most difficult problems. They were placed there for your good. Are the sciences pleasant to you? Do you love to dig for wisdom in the works of the learned? Why should you not also like to dig for divine knowledge in the mine of God's word? Those prophecies were not written to be neglected and carelessly passed by. Go, solve those difficult problems, and let divine rays of light comfort and strengthen you.
Jos. Clarke.