Need of Teachers, and Their Support
By JOEL C. ROGERS
THE fact that the wisdom of God ordains the education of children, shows the church-school to be a plant of his setting. With his fostering care, it is destined to grow among us. Are there any of us who can not see the need and important place of these schools? Could we enumerate the children and youth lost out of our ranks, from the cause of God and heaven, the figures would astound us all. Do you not recall some out of your conference or your church, or possibly closer still, out of your own family circle? While many causes work for enticing the precious ones from God’s service and cause, you will not deny that a good church-school may do much to spare them. At one of our churches where a school has been held for two years, I baptized five youth last spring. Others in the same church now await baptism. No minister had visited this church for more than a year previous to my first visit. The conversion of these youth was largely the fruit of the church-school. If our children are to be trained for God’s work, we must have church-schools to take them at the proper age and educate them in a way that no other agency can educate them. Indeed, here is the foundation of our educational system, and consequently church-schools must grow rapidly among us. There are at least two things necessary: the providing of teachers and the proper support of these teachers. Many churches are calling urgently for teachers, who can not be found, and the conference superintendents are perplexed over the dearth. Why is it so?—Because of the very small and uncertain wages offered teachers. I have just been talking with a teacher who declares her only reason for being out of the church-school is the little hope of earning a living in it. She has been promised wages due years ago, and although sadly needed for clothes or food, books or other means of improvement in her calling, the money is not forthcoming. No person having a talent for teaching is content to remain poorly qualified in these days of opportunity and demand for efficiency. God has a remedy, a consistent, beautiful plan, as in all his great economy. I can only name it here,—the tithing, or percentage plan, sometimes called the second tithe. It is time for us to study this matter seriously. Our schools can not be maintained by uncertain pledges and small tuition. The Southern California Tract Society, 257 South Hill St., Los Angeles, has a well-written leaflet on this subject. Price, two and a half cents. Also a careful study of the book of Deuteronomy will give the needed light. “Patriarchs and Prophets,” pages 525, 526, and 530, also makes it plain. Another reason of our dearth of teachers is, I fear, the small encouragement given them by our conference organizations. This condition is changing for the better, but still there is much room for improvement. Lack of appreciation by our young people of the great importance of educational work in this message, is a potent factor. The value of a Christian education must be impressed upon our youth by ministers and educators. Failure of our higher schools to encourage normal training is also responsible for this condition. Trained teachers and trained superintendents are needed. This feature must receive more attention in our system of education. Spiritual encouragement for the young is often sadly wanting. Warm-hearted friends must find them where they are. The world is bidding for them; not often will they come to us. We must go to them. Sometimes they need financial aid. Being independent, they will find worldly employment for money before asking help of us. A few dollars loaned a boy or girl for schooling may save a soul, and furnish God’s cause with a worker. Such an investment brings large returns. Individuals and conferences should be giving such encouragement and financial help to our youth. God’s cause needs every young man and woman in our ranks. Let us save them for finishing this blessed message. The urgent need of efficient teachers in this land, and in all the great white harvest-field, demands our best efforts. Let us take courage. The Lord says, “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.” JOEL C. ROGERS.