FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF CHURCH SCHOOLS.
Before entering the direct study of ways and means for supporting the church school, one important question should be settled. Has the Lord, himself the owner of the cattle upon a thousand hills and the possessor of all the gold and silver in the world, commanded us to establish these schools? Again, if he has, is there a promise with the command, that sufficient power to obtain necessary wealth (Deut. 8 : 18) will be given? Those who have faith say, Yes, we have the following clear answer to the first question: “It is high time for Sabbath-keepers to separate their children from worldly associations, and place them under the very best teachers, who will make the Bible the foundation of all study.” “In all our churches, and wherever there is a company of believers, church schools should be established.” Has the Lord a care for the financial support of these schools? “The church should take in the situation, and by their influence and means seek to bring about this much-desired end. Let a fund be created by generous contributions for the establishment of schools for the advancement of educational work.” The vital importance of maintaining these schools with proper financial help is impressed upon us in these words: “Shall the members of the church give means to advance the cause of Christ among others, and then let their own children carry on the work and service of Satan?”—Test. on the Need of Church Schools. “The work that lies next to our church-members is to become interested in our youth.” More should be given to other branches of the cause, it is true, but God will not accept offerings from those who care not for the Christian education of the children. Light has come on the church-school question—specific directions are given his people. The prosperity of the church, the home, the family, and the individual now depends upon faith in this instruction and strict obedience thereto. Every individual church-member is responsible for this work, because these children “are the younger members of the Lord’s family.” To educate these children, the Lord says “is the noblest missionary work that any man or woman can undertake.” When Israel heeded this instruction, no power on earth could resist the nation; when they faltered, captivity was the result. Christian business men should be appointed to look after the finances of the school. They should bear the character ascribed to the deacons in the seventh chapter of Acts. They should be men of faith, who will devote to the work sufficient time and thought to make it a success. No burden in this respect should be placed upon the teacher, and above all things, no teacher should be embarrassed because of slow pay. No haphazard work should be done, for the Lord’s hand is in it, and his instruction is: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” “Be not slothful in business.” That tuition should be charged, and that it should not be too low, is learned from these words: “It is not desirable to place the tuition too low. . . . The larger part of those who would be induced to come because of the low tuition would be of no benefit to other students or the church.” Read Test. No. 33, p. 84. This applies to the College. Is your school also a school of the prophets? There are in almost every church those who are too poor to bear any expense in a church school; how shall they be treated? Read what is said in the reference given above. “Remember the poor. . . . In doing for them you are doing for Jesus. . . . Do not trust to your feelings, and give when you feel like it, and withhold when you do not feel like it. Give regularly, either ten, twenty, or fifty cents a week.”16 Encourage the children to assist in meeting the expense of their education. This can be done by allotting them a certain portion of land to cultivate, or they may canvass for our papers and small books. When our people in the cities heed the instruction to move into the country, more children can cultivate a plot of ground. The school will have land to till, and a part of the daily instruction will be obtained with the hoe in hand. Some are advocating the support of the church school from the tithe. This should not now be done, but there is a donation which it is proper to use in the cause of education. I refer to the second tithe. One reason why this question has been so perplexing is that but little time is spent by the church-members in studying the principles of Christian education. Every teacher should have an opportunity to conduct such lessons. When your hearts are touched, the money will be forthcoming. People who have no children of school age are very apt to excuse themselves, but these are the individuals singled out by the Lord as especially responsible for the poor and orphans. Read the first half of the 54th chapter of Isaiah, and you will see this truth. You who rest easy in this matter, while children’s souls are going to ruin before your eyes, when will you say, as did Paul, “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you”? When the situation is realized and the responsibility is met, then marvelous results will follow. When we use our own means and raise the banner of education high, then the Gentiles will be attracted to our schools, and will come bringing their wealth with them. But we need never look for such results as long as the schools in our midst are almost crushed out of existence by selfishness and penury. “Arise, be enlightened.”