Shall We Start a Church School by W. E. Howell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 16, 1914

Shall We Start a Church School

By W. E. Howell

Next Autumn?

This question is being considered by many of our churches since Educational Sabbath, March 7. Some have settled the matter already, and are laying definite plans to open a Christian school for their children next September. Others will improve the school they already have. Here is a sample of both classes in Colorado, as reported by Varner Johns, educational superintendent:—

"Educational Sabbath was successfully observed in many of the Colorado churches. As a result of one program, one of our churches is already planning for a school next year. At the close of another educational service, one lady said, 'I have decided to double my regular monthly pledge for the church school.' All seemed to be impressed with the necessity of doing more in the interest of Christian education."

The president of the Colorado Conference, Elder A. T. Robinson, said recently, "Nothing should appeal to us more strongly than a school in which strong Christian influences are thrown around our boys and girls."

To the churches in Iowa, B. A. Wolcott, the educational superintendent, is saying this:—

"Soon the beginning of another school year will be upon us, and it will find us unprepared to do what we should do unless we begin now to plan for it. Do not think that the easiest way to give your children a Christian education is to move to some church where a school is already in operation, but see if your church cannot be interested in starting a school."

In setting before Sabbath keepers their duty to care for their children, Mrs. E. G. White says:—

"Wherever there are a few Sabbath keepers, the parents should unite in providing a place for a day school where their children and youth can be instructed. They should employ a Christian teacher, who, as a consecrated missionary, shall educate the children in such a way as to lead them to become missionaries. Let teachers be employed who will give a thorough education in the common branches, the Bible being made the foundation and the life of all study."

The Bible teaches us that when we undertake an enterprise of any kind, we should count the cost. We ought to do this in starting a church school, but in doing so we should not stop with counting the cost in dollars and cents of operating a school, but we should reckon still more carefully the cost of not placing our children under Christian influences during their school life. This will be found to overbalance by far the cost of carrying on a church school.

Those who have had no experience in managing a school need the counsel of those who have. In every conference we have an officer called the educational superintendent, whose duty it is to help organize and direct successful schools. Let all who are considering the question of starting a school next autumn, write to their conference office and request the educational superintendent to visit them and give counsel on how to plan for and conduct a first-class school.

W. E. H.