Young People's Work by O. J. Graf

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Sep 26, 1912

Young People's Work

By O. J. Graf

Conducted by the Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department of the General Conference

M. E. KERN - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Secretary MEADE MAC GUIRE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Field Secretary MATILDA ERICKSON - - - - - - - - - - - Corresponding Secretary

What Can Our Schools Do for the Young People's Work?

WHAT can our schools do for the young people's work? Much in every way. The school is a center of influence that is felt not only in the local and union conferences, but also in the uttermost parts of the earth. Efficiency in the field is quite likely to seek the level of efficiency in our schools. But to be more specific, I shall suggest the following ways in which the school can be a help to the young people's work:—

First, we can conduct as nearly as possible model Missionary Volunteer Societies. Perhaps nothing that we can do will be more effective in building up this work in the field than for us to have in actual operation earnest, active societies in our schools. Ideals, methods, and spirit will be carried from here to all our churches. Hence we should as far as possible follow the plans outlined by the General Conference department in such matters as reporting, organization, and membership.

Second, we can conduct a Missionary Volunteer Band. At Emmanuel Missionary College we have for a number of years conducted such a band. It meets once a week during the time of chapel exercise. Other missionary bands are meeting at the same time. The Missionary Volunteer Band studies and discusses such questions as "Standard of Attainment," "The Reading Courses," "Personal Work for Young People," "Practical Missionary Work," "How to Organize a Society," "Relation of the Missionary Volunteer Society to the Missionary Society of the Church," and "The Work of the Young People's Societies of Other Denominations." The work done in this band prepares our students to go into the field as conference secretaries, and to help build up societies in the churches.

Third, we can encourage young men of ability who are looking forward to the ministry, to enter this work, as a stepping-stone to their life-work. It does not require very extensive observation to convince one that our most successful ministers and conference presidents are those who take an active interest in the young people and their work. Hence the advantage of entering the ministry through this channel.

Fourth, we can interest our young people in the Standard of Attainment by encouraging our denominational history and Bible doctrine classes to take the Standard of Attainment examinations. Then we could also help to give character and dignity to the Certificate of Attainment by allowing those who hold the certificate credit for work in Bible doctrine and denominational history as far as the work done is the equivalent of what we require in these classes. The examining board of the Lake Union Conference at its recent meeting showed its spirit of cooperation by passing the following resolution:—

"Resolved, That the Certificate of Attainment issued by the Young People's Society of Missionary Volunteers be accepted in lieu of examination in doctrines and denominational history, for teachers, where said certificate is not more than three years old, and the grade is at least eighty-five per cent."

There is other help that we can lend; such as encouraging students to take the Reading Courses, to engage in magazine campaigns and the Harvest Ingathering campaign, and support missionaries in foreign fields by systematic giving. No doubt many other ways and means will suggest themselves to the reader's mind, so it is not necessary to go into further details. The young people's work and the educational work are most intimately related; and if the workers in the two departments cooperate as they should, the one is sure to strengthen and build up the other. Souls will be saved and workers prepared for the Lord's harvest.

O. J. GRAF, President Emmanuel Missionary College.