Some Resolutions Pertaining to Educational Work
The Educational Advisory Board of the Central Union Conference met at Atchison, Kan., August 1 and 2. The following resolutions were the result of that meeting:— “1. Resolved, (a) That our teachers follow a systematic course of reading for self-improvement. “(b) That inasmuch as ‘Living Fountains’ and ‘Education’ have been studied, we recommend Page’s ‘Theory and Practise of Teaching’ as first book for the course. “(c) That a syllabus of the book be prepared as a guide to the study, and that this study be completed in six months. “(d) That four or six lists of test questions be sent out at intervals to ascertain the character of the work done by the teachers. “2. Resolved, (a) That C. C. Lewis’s ‘Home and Church School Manual’ be used as the basis of unification of church-school work, and— “(b) That our teachers make a careful study of this book. [Professor Lewis was asked to revise the book.] “3. Resolved, That the course of study be revised to meet the needs in the several conferences. “4. Resolved, (a) That libraries be placed in all our schools as soon as consistent. “(b) That books, etc., be secured for these by donations either of books or of money with which to buy books and other supplies. “(c) That the books for libraries consist of (1) Mrs. E. G. White’s writings; (2) other denominational books known to be approved by the denomination; (3) educational works; (4) biographical, historical, and poetical works that do not savor of romance or fiction; (5) good reference books. “5. Resolved, (a) That we indorse the recommendation of the council that the church-schools include the first six grades, but that in our churches where conditions demand it, the first two years of intermediate work, designated as grades seven and eight, be provided for; and further, that the intermediate schools give strong ninth and tenth grade work, being careful to so shape the work that those finishing may be prepared to enter our training-schools. “(b) That our intermediate schools be made industrial as far as practicable, especially giving attention to agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, bee culture, and domestic work; and that the various lines of mechanical work be introduced as may seem advisable. “6. Resolved, (a) That an educational campaign be conducted by furnishing to our local papers good reports, newsy items, and short, pointed articles on educational work. “(b) That our people be urged to make a careful study of the book ‘Education;’ and that we ask our conference laborers to encourage and assist them in this study. “(c) That a short series of tracts from four to eight pages each, be prepared on educational topics; and we request the Central Union Conference to provide for their publication. “(d) That each State superintendent arrange, if possible, for one or more educational conventions during the coming winter, the program to be provided by the superintendent, in counsel with the president of Union College and the Union Conference educational secretary.”