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TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 17, 1900

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 77, No. 29.

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“TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE.”

By Joseph H. Haugher

“Now, as never before, we need to understand the true science of education. If we fail to understand this, we shall never have a place in the kingdom of God.”
In harmony with this statement, there has recently been held in Battle Creek College a teachers’ conference for the consideration of the true science of education. Perhaps a more enthusiastic company of seekers after truth on this subject has never met in the history of education among Seventh-day Adventists. The enrollment has reached one hundred and ten, the larger number of whom have been engaged in our school work.
From the opening day, the interest has been high and unabating. The instruction is being given not only by such teachers as Professor Sutherland, Dr. Kellogg, and Elder Jones, but by each member of the convention who has had practical experience in school work. Indeed, each and every subject is presented not only from the theoretical, but from the practical, standpoint.
The fundamental thought of the institute is that true education is an education of faith, in faith; and can therefore in no way be mingled with the education of the world, which is an education of doubt, in doubt.
Among the topics being considered are the following:—
Why should Seventh-day Adventists have an educational system? What should it be?
What is Christian education? Wherein does it differ from the popular school system?
Is the educational work the basis for all Christian growth, and does the prosperity of the church depend upon its attitude toward Christian education?
Each of the popular churches had in turn an opportunity to do the educational work of the world; failure to do so resulted in spiritual death,—a brief history.
Is the Seventh-day Adventist Church in danger of repeating the mistake made by the popular churches in the educational work?
Educational institutions belonging to the system of Christian education; character and scope of work belonging to each; age as a basis of division.
Is it possible and practicable for each church and company to maintain a school?
Proper financial support of the church school.
Duties of the church-school board.
Relation of home life to the school, and of the teacher to the home life.
Discipline in the church school; how parents and church-members may co-operate with the teacher.
The Bible as a text-book and as the basis of all educational work.
How far the health principles should be taught in the church school.
The proper place for arithmetic to occupy in Christian schools.
Music as a factor in education.
Books for Christian schools.
Change of methods necessary in church schools.
The preparatory school; location, maintenance, size, industries connected with, etc.
Kindergarten work: (1) Bible as the basis; (2) its place in the home.
Manual training in church and preparatory schools.
Advantages of the country schools over those in the city.
How to organize a church school.
Does a public-school teacher require a training in the methods of Christian education to insure success in church-school work?
The advantage of having a nurse connected with the educational work of the church.
The Southern field as an educational problem. Our duty to that field.
Duties of the Conference and ministry toward the educational work.
The Training School Advocate and the work of an educational journal.
Qualifications of a church-school teacher.
The school as a stimulus to missionary work in the church.
Experiences in teaching various subjects.
Plans to strengthen and systematize the church-school work.
Interesting statistics on the educational work.
A spiritual education will develop the one hundred and forty-four thousand.
Near the opening of the convention it was decided to publish, in pamphlet form, the addresses, talks, papers, and discussions, giving the gist of all that comes before the Conference. More than thirteen hundred copies were spoken for by the teachers present, even before it was decided to publish it, which is the most practical way of voting. This pamphlet will contain 275 or 300 pages, about the size of those of “Rise and Progress of Seventh-day Adventists.” The price will be 40 cents. The talks by Dr. Kellogg on the simple principles of health, and simple remedies, will alone be worth more than the price of the pamphlet.
Every progressive Seventh-day Adventist school, teacher, and every Seventh-day Adventist who is interested in the subject of Christian education, will wish this pamphlet; for the Spirit of God has been present to lead into much important truth pertaining to this important branch of his work.
JOSEPH H. HAUGHER.