p. 18 | The Correspondence School by W. E. Howell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 19, 1909

The Correspondence School

By W. E. Howell

A Word to Ministers Who Are Applying for Studies

Last week we promised to say a word to ministers. In doing so, we do not presume to lay a hand upon the ark of the Lord to steady it. But as we study the educational needs of the ministry along with those of others, it is impressed deeply upon our minds that no other human being is engaged in so high, so holy, a calling as they.

Now, dear minister, it may be true that your opportunities earlier in life for obtaining an education were few and poor; it may be that they were favorable, but neglected. But that is not the main question with us now. The question to be answered is, What shall we do to fill up the aching void? The entrance of these words gives light: “The only way in which we can redeem our time [or opportunities] is by making the most of that which remains.” The sensible thing, then, is to consider how to make the most of present opportunities.

But before doing that in detail, will you not oblige me by looking up last week’s Review and turning to the article “Correspondence Study,” on page 20? Read first (whether you have read it before or not), in the fourth paragraph, what is said to canvassers. Then multiply that by ten, and apply it to yourself, inasmuch as the canvasser usually talks to only one at a time, while you seldom speak to fewer than ten. Then read the remaining paragraphs about the remedy, so that nothing need be repeated here.

Now again, let me ask you a plain question or two. Do you believe that anything is overdrawn in that article? Do you ever feel, as you stand before an audience, O that I had the tongue of the learned that I might declare His testimony! O for the language of Canaan to clothe the conceptions of truth and beauty that the Spirit imparts! With the weight of the solemn message you bear resting upon your soul, does your tongue sometimes fail you for utterance? Do you long for a larger vocabulary, for a more fitting choice of words to press the truth home to the heart of the hearer? Do you ever suffer in spirit from a consciousness that you sometimes use incorrect forms of the verb or of the pronoun? Should you not suffer still more if you were aware of all the errors in your speech that grate upon the ears of your auditors?

Well, dear fellow sufferer, is it not high time to take a rest-cure for these afflictions? The Correspondence School is not a cure-all, but with your earnest, patient, conscientious co-operation, it will put you on the road to the recovery of that which has been lost, or to the obtaining of what was never found. Procure from your State educational secretary or from the Missionary Volunteer secretary a copy of the Correspondence School Announcement, and examine carefully what it offers you in English. Then write us your convictions about the matter.

A word more. If I may judge from the number of inquiries that have come to me from ministers and other Bible students during the last two months, I am warranted in the conclusion that the difficulties of many are not with their English, or at least not confined there, but rather with a lack of understanding the original Greek of the New Testament. You, as an intelligent, zealous minister, crave a knowledge of the Bible in the original for two reasons: First, to relieve yourself and others of the embarrassment that results from the use or the abuse of the original by would-be critics who are seeking some means of avoiding the straight testimony of the truth; second, that you may catch all the delicate shades of meaning in familiar texts of Scripture, that you may probe deeper into the import of difficult passages, and that you may feel the force and the beauty and the freshness of thought that come from reading appreciatively the language of Holy Writ in the very words to which the Spirit gave utterance.

That all young and middle-aged ministers, licentiates, and Bible students who find it impossible to call a halt in their present work, to go to school, may have an opportunity to gain this happy experience, the subject of New Testament Greek is offered by the Correspondence School. A member of the General Conference Committee remarked, the other day, that a hundred of our younger ministers ought to take this study at once. Did you know that in the providence of God the Greek is not a dead but a living language? That ten million people to-day use almost as pure a Greek as that of the New Testament? And that hundreds of words and expressions used in the New Testament are as familiar to the educated modern Greek in every-day life as is the King James Version to the English reader? In our course in Greek you will get from the start the benefit of the interpretation of words, phrases, and passages in the light of their present usage in the living Greek language. You will also get the modern Greek scholar’s interpretation of difficult passages in the New Testament as illustrated in the Modern Greek Version. You will only repeat the experience of others if, by this study, the New Testament becomes a new volume to you. The course in New Testament Greek will continue at least two years. There is no time so good to register for it as now.

From the Mail-Bag

To the twelve States from which applications had been received last week, we must now add the following: California, Minnesota, Louisiana, Arizona, New Mexico, Idaho, Kansas, Oklahoma, Ontario, Vermont, Colorado, Arkansas.

Every study offered in our Announcement, and seven others that have not been offered, have been applied for.

From the first applicant — a Battle Creek College student for three years, now proprietor of treatment parlors: “For one, I am very glad to see this effort begun. I shall be glad to review some work, as well as take up some new branches.”

From a parent with two daughters out of school: “It seems to me this is indeed another forward move directed by the Lord.”

From a State missionary agent: “Now that we have a Correspondence School, I will endeavor to take one or two studies. I am planning on going to college next year, but wish to review.”

From a Bible worker: “I desire to take advantage of the opportunities this school will offer, and so I am writing for particulars.”

From a church elder: “I believe this is a move in the right direction, which will accomplish much good for young and old.”

From a minister: “I am now engaged in the ministerial work, but I desire to improve by the Correspondence School. I want to take the studies in Greek.”

From a dutiful son: “I have an invalid mother to take care of, so it is impossible for me to go to one of our schools. I want to take a course in the Correspondence School.”

From a correspondence student: “I took a year’s course by correspondence about five years ago, and felt that the time and money were both well spent.”

From a teacher: “As I intend teaching this fall and winter, I may not have time for more than one or two studies.”

From an editor: “It certainly is a good work which you are beginning in Washington. I do believe that your school may be made a real blessing to the denomination, and I shall be glad to help.”

From the oldest applicant: “I am a man sixty years old, but strong and healthy and desire to improve myself. How much time a day would be required to keep up with these studies? My time is somewhat limited, and I do not want to undertake too much.” He applies for four studies.

W. E. HOWELL.