p. 27 | Christian Education Our Present Need

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 6, 1906

Christian Education Our Present Need

By J. M. Burdick

WHILE many fail to realize it, is it not evident that true education is not only the end, but a means to an end? The end will be attained only when we see souls who have been saved through our true education, rejoicing in the heavenly Jerusalem.

Teachers of this world feel proud when they see some student of theirs taking the degree of Ph. D., and in some cases this seems to be the desired goal. How short this falls of the true ideal! All education will in the end prove worthless if it fails to lead its possessors into the everlasting kingdom.

What God calls for to-day is a people of whom his angels may truthfully proclaim before the universe, “These are they which came out of great tribulation” (Rev. 7:14), and, “Here is the patience of the saints.” Rev. 14:12. This tribulation, through which we must pass, develops the patience we shall be said to possess. See Rom. 5:3. The tribulation works the patience, the patience the experience, and the experience will give us a hope of which we shall not be ashamed, though all the world scoff at it, for the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts.

Can we develop such character of faith and trust by doubting the many promises of God, and clinging to the luxuries of this life, for fear Jesus may not come as soon as we think, or by holding back from attending a Christian school, or entering the work, fearing God may not provide for our necessities? Can our young people gain such faith by remaining in public schools? Can we grow to such Christian maturity by allowing our thoughts to dwell upon the things of this life and worldly attainments? The answer to these questions is self-evident. “Higher than the highest human thought can reach is God’s ideal for his children. He wants our minds to be clear, our tempers to be sweet, and our love abounding.”

The education we need is that which honors, will enable us to help every one his neighbor. Isa. 41:6. If we love our neighbor as ourselves, shall we not be as desirous of seeing him saved as to be saved ourselves? See Ex. 32:32. And shall we not sacrifice all that may be necessary to attain a knowledge of how to help him?

A more thorough knowledge of present truth, in all its phases, will be required from now to the end, that we may help those who become confused, as well as to avoid being confused. Many, having accepted a part of the truth, have advanced new theories and vague interpretations of important prophecies. While at first some of these may seem to be based upon Scripture, a careful, prayerful perusal of the Bible shows them false and contradictory. Now is the time to become thoroughly grounded in the truth, so that afterward when affliction or persecution arises for the Word’s sake, we shall not be offended.

J. M. BURDICK.