p. 21 | Co-operation by F. G.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Mar 3, 1904

Co-operation

By F. G.

“The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build.” These words were spoken by Nehemiah at the rebuilding of Jerusalem. They are words of courage now, as they were then. The spirit which these words expressed led to the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, and to the restoration to that city of at least a portion of its former glory. They are words which should be in the mouth of every worker in every department of the cause of the Lord at this time. However, in no department of the work of this great message are they more necessary than in that of education.

Very rapid advance has been made in the past five years in this feature of the message. But this advance has been made only along initial lines. It is quite as easy to get a work started as to keep it going, and perhaps easier. There is a certain enthusiasm which comes with the starting of new enterprises and lines of work. Because it is naturally expected that there will be weaknesses and errors in the beginning of a work, they are condoned; but when the work has been continued for a length of time, it is also naturally expected that definite progress shall be shown.

Seventh-day Adventists have a just right to expect that there shall be stability and continuity to the work of education which is being undertaken by them; and they are also right in expecting that the teachers in their schools shall be among the first to meet and solve the problems which are confronted in this work. It is safe to say that the educators themselves recognize that this duty rests primarily upon them, and that they are earnestly endeavoring to overcome the many perplexities of this new work, and to establish it upon a firm basis and on lines of constant progression.

The words of courage spoken by Nehemiah brought in a spirit of co-operation, without which the work of the children of Israel could never have been accomplished. Each man built his portion of the wall. If Seventh-day Adventists carry on to perfection the building of an effective system of education for the children and youth, it can only be by a union of effort. Every teacher must put to the stretch all his powers for success. Nearly every teacher has met (and solved) some point of difficulty in his work, while perhaps there are many others which still perplex him. Co-operation involves giving as well as receiving, and the teacher should be willing and should take the time to tell of his successes as well as to receive helpful suggestions.

There is, perhaps, no line of our school work where so many difficult questions are met as in the church-school work,—questions relating to their support, to text-books, to discipline, to proper location for the school, to manual training, and many others which might be mentioned. As a rule, our teachers are conscientious students of their work, and appreciate every suggestion which may help them. This help may be received if each one who has solved even one of the perplexities of the church-school teacher's work, will use the Educational Department of the REVIEW as a means of telling others of that which has helped him. Questions may be asked which can be answered by others. This interchange of thought is certain to bind all our teachers together in their work. It is a co-operation which will greatly hasten and advance all lines of our educational work. In unity there is strength. F. G.