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Fundamentals of Christian Education
then the crops should be changed. We might learn much also from the
Old Testament in regard to the labor problem. If men would follow the
directions of Christ in regard to remembering the poor and supplying
their necessities, what a different place this world would be!
Let God’s glory be kept ever in view; and if the crop is a failure, be
not discouraged; try again; but remember that you can have no harvest
unless the ground is properly prepared for the seed; failure may be
wholly due to neglect on this point.
The school to be established in Australia should bring the question
of industry to the front, and reveal the fact that physical labor has its
place in God’s plan for every man, and that His blessing will attend it.
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The schools established by those who teach and practice the truth for
this time, should be so conducted as to bring fresh and new incentives
into all kinds of practical labor. There will be much to try the educators,
but a great and noble object has been gained when students shall feel
that love for God is to be revealed, not only in the devotion of heart
and mind and soul, but in the apt, wise appropriation of their strength.
Their temptations will be far less; from them by precept and example a
light will radiate amid the erroneous theories and fashionable customs
of the world. Their influence will tend to correct the false idea that
ignorance is the mark of a gentleman.
God would be glorified if men from other countries who have
acquired an intelligent knowledge of agriculture, would come to this
land, and by precept and example teach the people how to cultivate the
soil, that it may yield rich treasures. Men are wanted to educate others
how to plow, and how to use the implements of agriculture. Who will
be missionaries to do this work, to teach proper methods to the youth,
and to all who feel willing and humble enough to learn? If any do not
want you to give them improved ideas, let the lessons be given silently,
showing what can be done in setting out orchards and planting corn;
let the harvest be eloquent in favor of right methods of labor. Drop
a word to your neighbors when you can, keep up the culture of your
own land, and that will educate.
It may be urged by some that our school must be in the city in
order to give influence to our work, and that if it is in the country, the
influence is lost to the cities; but this is not necessarily the case.
The youth who attend our school for the first time, are not prepared
to exert a correct influence in any city as lights shining amid the