MISSOURI by Vita Morrow

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 12, 1900

MISSOURI

By Vita Morrow

The first Seventh-day Adventist church school conducted in Missouri has just closed at Joplin. The enrollment for the term was nineteen. Of these, eleven were children of the church, while the other eight were children from the outside, who came without solicitation, entering at different times. Their parents seemed well pleased with the school and with their progress, although, as teacher, I felt that our example before the unbelieving was far from perfect, and that much more might have been gained by a better representation of the principles of truth, as manifested in the daily deportment. The truth in the heart makes the life refined and elevated above the common vulgar things of this degenerate age. This fact places much responsibility upon parents to see that the little ones given into their charge are early taught that the outward words and acts show what is in the heart, and that the life must be purified by the love of Jesus within.

The school lasted seven months. It was organized under many difficulties, arising from lack of numbers, money, and needed facilities. Some, however, were very much in earnest, and the school was begun and carried on in spite of many trying circumstances, which arose during the term.

From my own experience here, I am satisfied that the Lord is in this work, and that it is one of his appointed means of saving our children from the influences of the world. The religious training given should supplement that of the home. I am glad to have had this little part in the work, and hope to become more efficient for any future service to which the Lord may call me.

VITA MORROW, Teacher.