THE EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EDUCATIONAL REFORM.
By P. T. Magan
Just ten years ago this summer, when the precious light of righteousness by faith was breaking in the fullness of the glory of God upon the Seventh-day Adventist people, and when God, through this, was taking away the reproach which the world had hurled against us, that we were “a Christless church,” there was held at Harbor Springs, in the northern part of Michigan, the first general gathering of Seventh-day Adventist teachers for the purpose of studying Christian education: At that time the words “Christian education” were unknown, but the germ, the seed of the blessed thing itself, was all there. And the thought was developed that, hand in hand with righteousness by faith, there must also be education by faith. The meeting was a remarkable one, and the definite beginnings of the work of an educational reformatory movement owe their birth to this gathering. In those days the subjects of reform which were for the most part studied and discussed were the elimination of pagan and infidel authors from our schools, the dropping out of long courses in the Latin and Greek classics, and the substitution of the teaching of the Bible and the teaching of history from the standpoint of the prophecies. Sister White was present, and I remember well that she read Testimonies relative to our schools and their work which she had written at the time of the conception of our first college. Elder A. T. Jones, Prof. W. W. Prescott, and Elder E. J. Waggoner were among the leading instructors. This gathering closed with a song of triumph, and in the hearts of many has ever since been inscribed on the walls of the chamber of joy in the temple of their souls. In our first love of this new light, and in the joy begotten by the brightness of its radiance, we fondly thought that the work of educational reform would be gladly grasped by our educators, our ministers, our students, and our people everywhere. Since then ten long years have rolled away, and during the whole of them the precious principles of Christian education have been struggling for recognition and the occupancy of their rightful place in the hearts of ministers, teachers, and people, as well as in the organic system of this great work. To-day we are met together again for the second general gathering of this kind. The educators and ministers are met in the beautiful woods at Berrien Springs, Mich., where, alone and in the quiet, the lessons of the Great Teacher on teaching can be received in just such a temple as He loved to teach in in the days when He walked on earth. His platform was on the hillside, His shade the leafy bowers of the giant trees, and the music of the rivers and streams and the soft singing and whisperings of the winds mingled with His voice as He taught, and with the voices of His disciples as they received His gracious instruction. And God still calls for educational reform. When in time of battle a squadron of cavalry is scattered by the missiles of the enemy, when the chargers have broken out of their lines, and are galloping aimlessly in every direction, then the bugle sounds, “REFORM!” This simply means to form again, to come together again in solid order, so that a charge can be made on the foe. This is what God means when He calls upon us to reform. We are to get together again and array ourselves solidly in gospel lines, and charge forward beneath the blood-stained banner of Prince Immanuel. God has promised that if we do this, by giving power and miracles He will restore to us the wasted years. The meeting really opened on the morning of Thursday, the 11th, Professor Sutherland giving a Bible study of God’s promise concerning the salvation of our children. This was followed by a study concerning the support of our church schools. Thus far the church schools have been supported by the tuitions paid for the children by their parents, and by voluntary contributions. Where there was harmony and good feeling in a church, it was comparatively easy to get up a church school. But in the very churches where a church school is needed the most, it has been impossible, on account of this financial system, to have church schools at all. The psalmist says: “Children are an heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is His reward.” The thought was developed in this that the children of Sabbath-keeping parents God looks upon as His heritage. He looks upon them, in a certain sense, as the property of the Church, to be trained for the work of God and for the work of the Church in the earth. When Seventh-day Adventists realize the fullness of the meaning of this precious scripture, there will be no question but what our church schools should be liberally and systematically supported. A committee was appointed to take into consideration the matter of the substantial and systematic support of church schools, the idea being presented that the second tithe might be used for this purpose. On Friday morning, July 12, Sister M. B. DeGraw read a paper, “The Scope of the Work of Primary and Intermediate Church Schools.” After this Elder Daniells spoke at length on the dearth of missionaries, and the great need of training our children from the very beginning of their lives to be workers in the cause of God. He showed that we must not only have church schools and intermediate schools, but that there must be a school where the finishing work for missionaries could be done, and from which they can go forth into the fields of labor all over the world. Friday evening Elder W. A. Spicer, the Secretary of the Foreign Mission Board, gave a most touching and helpful sermon on the necessity of the love of God. A tender spirit more than before began to come among the people of the camp. At the forenoon service on Sabbath, Elder A. T. Jones spoke at length on the priesthood and the ordination of priests in the olden time, showing how this people as well as Israel are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, and a peculiar people. The Spirit of God rested down upon those present, and many arose and asked for prayers for their fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, and children. There was indeed a turning of heart toward heart, and soul toward soul. The service lasted until dinner-time; and at half-past three the work was taken up again. This was the beginning of a wonderful meeting. It lasted all the afternoon, continued during the lengthening shadows of the evening, and until long after the lamps of heaven had been hung out, and night was upon us. Elder Jones spoke feelingly and at length on the necessity of every priest having somewhat to offer. He was followed by Elder Daniells, and then the meeting became general, a large number speaking of their past experiences in regard to the educational work and the glory of the precious light which God is now casting upon us. The meeting was a long one, and one long to be remembered. Ministers and teachers are still arriving, and altogether there are in the neighborhood of one hundred and fifty on the grounds. P. T. MAGAN,
Sec. Educational Dept. Gen. Conf.