p. 14 | THE ADVOCATE by Editor

Training-School Pub. Ass'n, Ltd. · Battle Creek, Michigan · Jan 1900

FromTraining School Advocate, The Advocate, Vol. 2, No. 1.

THE ADVOCATE.

By Editor

ITS HISTORY.

ONE year ago the Spirit of God attended the educational work in a marked degree. The work was going, not by argument, but by the convincing power of love. Young people, with hearts overflowing, were used to proclaim the message, and the principles of Christian education came more prominently before the minds of our people than ever before.

Righteousness by faith has been accepted, nominally by some, it is true, but in sincerity by many others, for several years. Health reform was one of the earliest distinguishing features of the third angel’s message, and we are told that it is as closely connected with the gospel for to-day as the right arm is with the human body.

The righteousness of Christ, to be accepted by faith, is the great central trunk of the tree from which all phases of the message spring, and which nourishes unto eternal life. This trunk has two main roots: one is health reform, which, when properly understood and practiced, will prepare the physical man to accept righteousness by faith; and the other root is Christian education, which, taken in its fulness, fits the mind to grasp the principles of truth. For long we have been striving to keep the tree upright when but one root was present. Of late, light has revealed the presence of that other root which balances the whole, and supplies the needed nourishment to make a well-fed plant.

We have found it hard to manifest the righteousness of Christ because of this one-sided development.

The ADVOCATE came into existence in the midst of deep experiences in education by faith. It has advocated mind and soul culture as a means of developing the kingdom of Christ within the man. It has been in existence one year, and with this number begins the second volume.

THE FUTURE.

In the future the ADVOCATE will be published by the Training-School Publishing Association, an organization recently formed for the purpose of publishing the principles of Christian education, and placing them before the public.

While in the past, a local paper devoted to the interests of Battle Creek College, the opening of the new year takes the ADVOCATE from the College, and makes it a paper for the field in general. It is in a special sense the organ of the church-school work, and the application of Christian education to the home and the church. Every church-school teacher is a recognized agent.

THE ENLARGED FORM.

The current number appears in its new form for the year 1900. The subscription price is 50 cents a year. This does not cover the cost of publishing the magazine, but owing to the kindness of the friends of Christian education and the ADVOCATE, and the desire of the publishers to keep these principles prominent, the magazine will be published at the stated price for one year.

Teachers throughout the field are invited to contribute to its pages, and the ADVOCATE will welcome correspondence with all who are interested in the principles of true higher education.