SCHOOLS FOR THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH.
CITIES and even country towns are becoming like Sodom and Gomorrah, and like the world in the days of Noah. The training of the youth in those days was after the same order as children are being educated and trained in this age. . . . All these things are lessons for us.—Sp. T. on Ed., p. 93. In localities where there is a church, schools should be established if there are no more than six children to attend. A teacher should be employed who will educate the children in the truths of the word of God, which is so essential in these last days, and which is so important for them to understand.—P. C., p. 510; May 6, 1897. We should have primary schools in different localities, to prepare the youth for the higher schools.—Test. to Ministers and Workers. No. 6, p. 58. There should be schools established wherever there is a church or company of believers. Teachers should be employed to educate the children of the Sabbath-keepers. This would close the door to a large number who are drifting into Battle Creek,—the very place where the Lord has warned them not to go. In the light that has been given me, I have been pointed to the churches that are scattered in different localities, and have been shown that the strength of these churches depends upon their growth in usefulness and efficiency. . . . Let us in our educational work embrace far more than we have done of the children and youth, and there will be a whole army of missionaries raised up to the work for God. I say again, establish schools for the children where there are churches,—those who assemble to worship God. Where there are churches, let there be schools. Work as if you were working for your life, to save children from being drowned in the polluting, corrupting influences of this life. . . . There are places where our schools should have been in operation years ago. Let these now be started under wise directors. The youth should be educated in their18own churches.—Test. on “Church Schools,” dated Dec. 15, 1897. In all our churches there should be schools, and teachers in those schools who are missionaries. It is essential that teachers be educated to act their important part in educating the children of Sabbath-keepers, not only in the sciences, but in the Scriptures. These schools, established in different localities, and conducted by God-fearing men and women as the case demands, should be built on the same principles as were the schools of the prophets. Special talent should be given to the education of the youth. The children are to be trained to become missionaries, and but few understand distinctly what they must do to be saved. . . . These lessons can be given only by those who are themselves truly converted; and this is the noble missionary work that any man or woman can undertake. Children should be educated to read, to write, to understand figures, to keep their own accounts, when very young. They may go forward, advancing step by step in this knowledge. But before everything else they should be taught that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Small as well as older children will be benefited by this instruction; and in thus simplifying the plan of salvation, the teachers will receive as great blessings as those who are taught.—Test. on “Church Schools.”