December 1, 1901

Teachers Should be God's Helping Hand

EGW

No one is to think that all of his time is to be spent in study. By putting into practice what you study, you can obtain more than by merely studying. When you use your knowledge, you will find that more is given you. Keep the channel open, that you may have the grace and light and love of Christ. Do not disappoint Christ. Though you are teachers, you are to learn of the great Teacher. While as students you are to respect the human instrumentality, through which you receive instruction, you are ever to look beyond this to the divine. Then the truths which come from the lips of the human teacher, will be to you of far greater importance than they otherwise would be.Advocate December 1, 1901, par. 1

Every teacher should gather up all the rays of divine light shining upon his pathway, that he may have the wisdom Daniel had. Walk in the light which is opening before you in this institute. “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning.” As the light of the sun shines with increasing power from morning till noon, so as you advance in the opening light of God's word, you will receive more light.Advocate December 1, 1901, par. 2

He who takes charge of a school is in need of a living, ever-present Saviour. Teach the simplest principles of the word of God, making the Bible the foundation of education. Those who are seeking to obtain the so-called higher education, do not know what true education is. True higher education is that which is received by sitting at the feet of Jesus. Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, and he will lift you up. You need not struggle to lift yourself. Commit your work to him: do it in faithfulness, in sincerity, in truth, in righteousness; and you will find that every day brings its reward, and the light of heaven is shining upon you. His light, his grace, his salvation, are thus revealed.Advocate December 1, 1901, par. 3

We are a very ignorant people. We know so little of Jesus Christ that we can but dimly comprehend what he will do for us. God desires us to learn of him. While you are in this institute, let your boasting be in God, and not in science, not in foreign languages, nor in anything else that is human. First learn whether you can practice Christianity in your own language. There are souls to convert, and you should be able to so bring the simplicity of godliness into your own life that you can use the talent of speech with converting power among those with whom you associate.Advocate December 1, 1901, par. 4

There should be in your hearts a burning desire to be united with Christ, that you may be “laborers” together with God.” “Ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.” He is working with you as with a building, forming within you a character after the divine similitude. Let your character-building be in accordance with the beautiful pattern revealed to men in the life of Christ.Advocate December 1, 1901, par. 5

In all your work you should do as the husbandman does in producing the fruit of the earth. Apparently he throws away the seed; but, buried in the soil, the seed in dying, germinates. The power of the living God gives it life and vitality, and there is seen “first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.” Study this wonderful process. Oh, there is so much to learn, so much to understand, that it seems as though we can not learn everything during this life; and we can not. But if we now improve our minds to the utmost of our ability, we shall through the eternal ages carry forward the study of God's ways and works, continually reaching higher and still higher. We now need minds that can understand the simplicity of godliness. More than we desire anything else, we should desire to have Jesus Christ abiding in the soul-temple, because he can not abide there without being revealed, and shown forth in fruits and good works.Advocate December 1, 1901, par. 6

Conducting recitations is only the beginning of a teacher's work. The teacher has a heavy responsibility to bear in connection with the students entrusted to his care, and he is to understand that he can not throw off this responsibility. He has the oversight of those in his charge. He is to regard them as those who have been bought with a price. He must watch over this recreant one and over that recreant one; he must talk and pray with them. Thus he may save souls unto Jesus Christ.Advocate December 1, 1901, par. 7

The work of a teacher does not end in the class-room. Because he is an educator, he is not to divorce himself from the church work. Power is to be brought into the church. Teachers are to strive to bring the church to a higher and still higher standard. God requires of teachers more than they give. They are to be working agencies, and not dwarfs. If they fulfill God's requirements, he will give them still more intelligence, until it can be said of them, “Ye are complete in him.” If every teacher in this College would come up to the help of God in the church, we should have in Healdsburg one of the most precious churches that could be found anywhere in the world.Advocate December 1, 1901, par. 8

There is a world to be saved. Such a work is to be done by our people, that often at night I sit up in my bed, wringing my hands in agony, and ask, “O God, will thy people ever understand?” I believe they will when they come to the foot of Christ, and sit at his feet as did Mary, to learn of him. If the teachers will follow the Bible rules and be Bible Christians, they will be God's helping hand. God wants every one of you to be his helping hand; and if you yield yourself to him, he will teach you and work through you, that you may be able to impart to others. Then you will be able to say, “O God, thy gentleness hath made me great.”Advocate December 1, 1901, par. 9

There is a fullness for every teacher to gain. The studies that you receive will either strengthen your faith and confidence in God, and teach you how to work as his helping hand, or else they will leave you in a worse condition than if you had never attended this institute. If you work out the principles that the Lord has given you, he will surely place you on vantage ground, and the mercies and blessings of heaven will come into your life-practice, enabling you to work out the will of God.Advocate December 1, 1901, par. 10

Extracts from a talk before church school teachers at Healdsburg, Cal., September, 1901.

“There is a work to be done for young men and women that is not yet accomplished. There are much larger numbers of young people who need to have the advantages of our training schools. They need the manual training course, that will teach them how to lead an active, energetic life. All kinds of labor must be connected with our schools. Under wise, judicious, God-fearing directors, the students are to be taught. Every branch of the work is to be conducted in the most thorough and systematic ways that long experience and wisdom can enable us to plan and execute.”Advocate December 1, 1901, par. 11