What Is the Reason?

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jul 11, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 27.

What Is the Reason?

One of the speakers in the Sunday-school convention, the Rev. McElfresh, said: “Millions are given annually in this country for education, but education in the public schools is non-religious. In many States it is even forbidden by law to read the Bible in the schools. It means that the education of our boys and girls in Christianity is coming back to the church, and the church is not prepared for it. The problem is one of divine training. In our department we are doing what we can, but we should have the coöperation of the denominational colleges.”

If the church had recognized this as she should in the past, she would not only have been prepared for it, but would herself have been a great educational religious seminary. It is worth while to ask whether the fault does not lie with those who are professing to preach the Word, and who have been set apart to preach the Word, that, with notable exceptions, the Word has not been taught. There are very few expository sermons, very little systematic teaching of the Bible. If the church would do her duty, she would have sufficiency of Sunday-school teachers. Think of what a school it would be sitting under the teaching and preaching of such men as Alexander McClaren or Charles Spurgeon; and yet this ought to be the case in every church, under every minister set apart to preach the Word. And that Christianity should pervade all education. The schools of the world, the State schools, can not give this. All education of Christians ought to be permeated with Christianity through and through.