p. 19 | Christian Education by H. R. Salisbury

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 12, 1912

Christian Education

By H. R. Salisbury

Conducted by the Department of Education of the General Conference

H. R. SALISBURY - Secretary

The Summer School in Portland, Oregon

Of the four months I have been away from the General Conference Office, visiting schools, attending educational conventions, camp-meetings, and summer schools, no time was more pleasantly or profitably spent than the three weeks at Portland. At this place the Pacific and North Pacific Union Conferences had united their schools, and had sent nearly two hundred church-school teachers and their instructors.

The location of the grounds was beautiful,—a grove within five minutes' walk of the street-car, yet far enough from the city to give quietness and seclusion. All lived in tents, which were pitched in a large circle, with four or five inside the circle for the assembly meeting and the classes. The food was served on the cafeteria plan. One feature of the service which deserves mention was the preparation of the few, but well-cooked dishes. This was as it should be. We are forgetting too much that vegetarianism ought to include healthful living.

The school was in charge of Profs. B. J. Cady and C. C. Lewis, the educational secretaries of the two unions. Professor Cady acted as manager. Professor Lewis spent his whole time in teaching. The result of the summer school was greatly to strengthen the work of the church-school teachers, and also to unify the methods in teaching. The strongest teachers of the two unions were the instructors.

In the evening, from 7:30 until 9, general topics were discussed in the large assembly tent. These meetings proved a source of great benefit and encouragement to the teachers, giving them opportunity to present before their associates, for consideration and help, difficulties which they had met during the year. This plan also gave those of experience an opportunity to bring before the others the best plans for carrying on the church-school work. Miss Sarah E. Peck, the normal director at Union College, was present for nearly two weeks, meeting each day with the normal classes.

One subject at our round table which received attention, and concerning which definite recommendations were carefully worked out, related to the best method to be followed in making practical missionary work a part of the church-school curriculum, and in conducting it in such a thorough and systematic manner that it shall become a part of the students' training, just the same as any other subject. Plans were laid for the preparation of matter that can be used by all our schools one hour each week. Full information concerning this important subject will soon reach all the teachers.

The educational work on the Pacific Coast is well organized, and its promoters are enthusiastic, because they believe in the principles of Christian education. We hope our brethren and sisters in these two unions will appreciate that they have a corps of well-trained teachers, who are laboring with all diligence to build up a strong system of schools on the Pacific Coast that will give their children a thorough education, while instructing them in the fear of God and preparing them as missionaries in the Master's great harvest-field.