The Great Need of Educators
By M. E. Cady
We need educators who know what Christian education is, and who can teach it. We need teachers who in subject-matter and method will imitate the great Master Teacher in their teaching. The demand for this class of teachers is constantly increasing, and far exceeds the supply. Almost every mail brings letters from the churches, earnestly requesting that experienced, consecrated teachers be supplied for their schools. We have few of this class of teachers, and for the most part have to furnish teachers, who, though they are consecrated individuals and in harmony with the principles of Christian education, yet lack experience, which strengthens confidence and insures success in the work. But after we have exhausted our supply, still many of the churches have to wait, and their children are deprived of a Christian school, where Christian education is taught by a competent, Christian teacher, and thus the work of God is hindered and neglected. He is looking for the educational branch of his work to train an army of workers who will carry on the work of the third angel’s message to a sure and certain victory; and his Word declares, “There shall be delay no longer.” Where shall we look to find the Christian teachers which the cause of God so greatly needs at this time? Where shall we find those who are true, earnest believers in the third angel’s message, and can bring teaching experience and ability into our church and intermediate schools? We believe that they are among Seventh-day Adventists—God’s remnant people, who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. There are hundreds of Seventh-day Adventists who have in the past taught and now are teaching, in public schools, whom the Great Educator calls upon to use their teaching ability and experience in schools of his divine appointment. Some of these have already gladly responded to this call for higher service and greater opportunities; and shall not the rest hear the call and quickly respond, “Here am I, send me”? Let not the matter of compensation stand in the way of the progress of God’s suffering cause. He who has called you to this work will see that all your temporal needs are supplied. Can there be any doubt in the minds of these teachers that this call for schools in our churches, with godly instructors to teach the youth and children, is the great call of the hour? The following words of instruction and warning from the spirit of prophecy are to the point: “The church has a special work to do in educating and training its children22that they may not, in attending school, or in any other association, be influenced by those of corrupt habits. The world is full of iniquity and disregard of the requirements of God. The cities have become as Sodom, and our children are daily being exposed to many evils. Those who attend the public schools often associate with others more neglected than they, those who, aside from the time spent in the schoolroom, are left to obtain a street education. The hearts of the young are easily impressed, and unless their surroundings are of the right character, Satan will use these neglected children to influence those who are more carefully trained. Thus before Sabbath-keeping parents know what evil is being done, the lessons of depravity are learned, and the souls of their little ones are corrupted.”—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. VI, page 193. After speaking of the Israelites gathering their children out from among the Egyptians, just before the “slaying of the first-born,” the servant of the Lord continues: “This experience of the Israelites was written for the instruction of those who should live in the last days.” The Great Educator especially asks every Seventh-day Adventist school-teacher to obtain a view of Christian education as it is in Christ Jesus, and to recognize that he has called him to stand before the world as an educational reformer. The fact that a reform is needed, and that the reformers are called for, is very apparent from the following:— “Our work is reformatory, and it is the purpose of God that through the excellence of the work done in our educational institutions, the attention of the people shall be called to the last great effort to save the perishing. In our schools the standard of education must not be lowered. It must be lifted higher and still higher, far above where it now stands; but the education given must not be confined to a knowledge of text-books merely. The study of the text-book alone can not afford students the discipline they need, nor can it impart true wisdom. Most earnest attention must be given to the education which will impart a knowledge of salvation, and will conform the life and character to the divine discipline. For the accomplishment of this work a broad foundation must be laid. A new purpose must be brought in and find place, and students must be aided in applying Bible principles in all they do.” Every true Seventh-day Adventist school-teacher is one of the children of Zion. Zion’s children are instructed to “walk about Zion, and go round about her; number the towers thereof; mark ye well her bulwarks; consider her palaces: that ye may tell it [witness] to the generation following.” Are Seventh-day Adventist school-teachers placing themselves where they can witness, not “to the generation following,” but to this, the last generation that shall live before the coming of Zion’s King? Or are you linked with the world, so that it is impossible in your teaching, with freedom and gladness of heart to witness to the “higher education” which is a knowledge of God and of his Son Jesus Christ? If, as a son or daughter of Zion, you are losing hope, and courage is almost gone, then walk about Zion (the church of Christ), and go round about her; mark ye well her bulwarks; and pray earnestly for renewed courage, and restored confidence in the final triumph of Zion’s cause. May the thousands of Seventh-day Adventist children and youth who are away from the fold of Christian schools and Christian teachers, being fed the husks of error and falsehood by ungodly, world-loving teachers, mightily appeal to the teaching sons and daughters of Zion everywhere, and stir them up to come to the rescue of the “lambs of the flock,” that they may be saved to the cause of God; and being trained and educated in the ways of the Lord, may they go forth to the world and give to sinners the invitation, “Come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.” During the summer months, at all our colleges and academies, training and instruction will be given those who desire to prepare to teach in church and intermediate schools. Let all who have not responded to this call for Christian teachers, now respond, so that a large army of qualified Christian teachers may be ready for service at the beginning of another school year. Let this be the pledge and watchword of all who have espoused the cause of Christian education: “For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof goeth forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.” Isa. 62: 1. M. E. CADY.