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True Education
welfare of the youth, and to promote the prosperity of the nation by
furnishing it with men qualified to act in the fear of God as leaders
and counselors. To this end, Samuel gathered companies of young
men who were pious, intelligent, and studious. These were called
the sons of the prophets. As they studied the Word and works of
God, His life-giving power quickened the energies of mind and soul,
and the students received wisdom from above.
The instructors were not only versed in divine truth, they had
themselves enjoyed communion with God, and had received the spe-
cial endowment of His Spirit. They had the respect and confidence
of the people, both for learning and for piety. In Samuel’s day there
were two of these schools—one at Ramah, the home of the prophet,
the other at Kirjathjearim. Later others were established.
The pupils of these schools sustained themselves by their own
labor in tilling the soil or in some mechanical employment. Many,
also, of the teachers supported themselves by manual labor. In Israel
it was regarded as a sin to allow children to grow up in ignorance of
useful labor.
In both the school and the home much of the teaching was oral,
but the youth also learned to read the Hebrew writings, and the
parchment rolls of the Old Testament Scriptures were open to their
study. The chief subjects of study in these schools were the law
of God, with the instruction given to Moses, sacred history, sacred
music, and poetry. In the records of sacred history were traced the
footsteps of Jehovah. The great truths set forth by the types in the
service of the sanctuary were brought to view, and faith grasped the
central object of all that system—the Lamb of God, who was to take
away the sin of the world. A spirit of devotion was cherished. Not
only were the students taught the duty of prayer, they were taught
how to pray, how to approach their Creator, how to exercise faith in
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Him, and how to understand and obey the teachings of His Spirit.
These schools proved to be one of the most effective means
in promoting that righteousness which “exalts a nation.”
Proverbs
14:34
. In no small degree they aided in laying the foundation of that
marvelous prosperity which distinguished the reigns of David and
Solomon.