One great object of our schools is the
training of youth to engage in service in our institutions and
in different lines of gospel work. The people everywhere are
to have the Bible opened to them. The time has come, the important
time when through God's messengers the scroll is being unrolled
to the world. The truth comprised in the first, second, and third
angels' messages must go to every nation, kindred, tongue, and
people; it must lighten the darkness of every continent and extend
to the islands of the sea. Nothing of human invention must be
allowed to retard this work. That this may be accomplished, there
is need of cultivated and consecrated talent; there is need of
persons who can do excellent work in the meekness of Christ because
self is hid in Christ. Novices cannot acceptably do the work
of unfolding the hidden treasure
to enrich souls in spiritual things. "Consider what I say;
and the Lord give thee understanding in all things." Study
to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy
2:7, 15. This charge to Timothy is to be an educating power in
every family and in every school.
Earnest efforts are called for on the part
of all connected with our institutions, not only our schools,
but our sanitariums and publishing houses also, to qualify men,
women, and youth to become colaborers with God. Students are
to be instructed to work intelligently in Christ's lines, to
present a noble, elevated, Christian character to those with
whom they associate. Those who have charge of training the youth
connected with any line of our work should be men who have a
deep sense of the value of souls. Unless they drink deeply of
the Holy Spirit, there is an evil watcher who will create annoying
circumstances. The educator should be wise to discern that while
faithfulness and kindness will win souls, harshness never will.
Arbitrary words and actions stir up the worst passions of the
human heart. If men and women professing to be Christians have
not learned to put away their own evil and childish tempers,
how can they expect to be honored and respected?
Then what carefulness should be exercised
in selecting proper persons as instructors, that they may not
only be faithful in their work, but may manifest a right temper.
If they are not trustworthy, they should be discharged. God will
hold every institution responsible for any neglect to see that
kindness and love are encouraged. It should never be forgotten
that Christ Himself has charge of our institutions.
The best ministerial talent should be employed
in teaching the Bible in our schools. Those selected for
this work need to be thorough Bible students
and to have a deep Christian experience, and their salary should
be paid from the tithe. God designs that all our institutions
shall become instrumentalities for educating and developing workers
of whom He will not be ashamed, workers who can be sent out as
well-qualified missionaries to do service for the Master; but
this object has not been kept in view. In many respects we are
far behind in this work, and the Lord requires that a zeal be
shown in it infinitely greater than has hitherto been manifested.
He has called us out from the world that we may be witnesses
for His truth, and all through our ranks young men and women
should be trained for positions of usefulness and influence.
There is an urgent demand for laborers
in the gospel field. Young men are needed for this work; God
calls for them. Their education is of primary importance in our
colleges, and in no case should it be ignored or regarded as
a secondary matter. It is entirely wrong for teachers, by suggesting
other occupations, to discourage young men who might be qualified
to do acceptable work in the ministry. Those who present hindrances
to prevent young men from fitting themselves for this work are
counterworking the plans of God, and they will have to give an
account of their course. There is among us more than an average
of men of ability. If their capabilities were brought into use,
we should have twenty ministers where we now have one.
Young men who design to enter the ministry
should not spend a number of years solely in obtaining an education.
Teachers should be able to comprehend the situation and to adapt
their instruction to the wants of this class, and special advantages
should be given them for a brief yet comprehensive study of the
branches most needed to fit them for their work. But this plan
has not been followed. Too little
attention has been given to the education of young men for the
ministry. We have not many years to work, and teachers should
be imbued with the Spirit of God and work in harmony with His
revealed will, instead of carrying out their own plans. We are
losing much every year because we do not heed the counsel of
the Lord on these points.
In our schools missionary nurses should
receive lessons from well-qualified physicians, and as
a past of their education should learn how to battle with disease
and to show the value of nature's remedies. This work is greatly
needed. Cities and towns are steeped in sin and moral corruption,
yet there are Lots in every Sodom. The poison of sin is at work
at the heart of society, and God calls for reformers to stand
in defense of the law which He has established to govern the
physical system. They should at the same time maintain an elevated
standard in the training of the mind and the culture of the heart,
that the Great Physician may co-operate with the human helping
hand in doing a work of mercy and necessity in the relief of
suffering.
It is also the Lord's design that our schools
shall give young people a training which will prepare them to
teach in any department of the Sabbath school or to discharge
the duties in any of its offices. We should see a different state
of affairs if a number of consecrated young persons would devote
themselves to the Sabbath school work, taking pains to educate
themselves and then to instruct others as to the best methods
to be employed in leading souls to Christ. This is a line of
work that brings returns.