The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-03-12
R OF SUBSCRIPTION.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION.

An old saying is that one man can
lead a horse to water but seven can
not make it drink. You can with the
accumulated millions build great church
edifces and erect magnificent universe
ties but there the money will end in its
power. 1t can not of itself convert and
save by a oul or make a scholar. 1t
a been said lately by an able Pres
byterian organ. the Charlotte Standard,
Money can build great universities.
but it annot man them with the right
kind of teachers nor can it succeed in
filling the halls with creditabIe tudents
unless il recognizes its limitations. It
has happened before now that a rich
ly endowed university has become so
connected in the public mind with I'M
lawful gain or the tyranny of mone
that it has had fewer students than
were in it's walls before"
Christian schools are exceedingly
desirable when they al really such.
Christian teachers are to be sought and
honOred when indeed they exemplify
in their daily lives that they are really
the disciples Of Jesus and follow Him.
But how many schools are indeed
Christian" in the true meaning of that
much abused and misunderstood world
Christian schools are desirable and
practicable. but they are not so num-
erous as one might suppose. All is not
gold that glistens. A school with high
Christian aims and pure Christian
principles you'd be wonderful n de-
iIghtful. You may call schools Chris
tian. but what about the teacher
iting of Christian schools in the
Richmond CVa.) Central Presbyterian,
Rev. DR.. c. n. Campbell says;
DO they seem ~impracticable from
the difficulty as many will believe, of
finding teachers with the requisite
qualifications, especially as to faith and
piety? OF course it is essential that
sucn teachers shall be found. We can
not have Christian schools without
Christian teachers. They will be un-
der Goo their chief agency in making
them a success"
He sees difficulties in the way, but he
Lclieves that they are not insuperable.
He admits that such schools are greatly
desirable. but not impossible, but he
say this. and it is worth considering,
IL -ShNNAo UOoONo dIlo Ill
ut must be admitted, indeed, that ou1
dift1culty will be to find in teacher the
combination of faith and piety with the
other requisite Observation-Disclosures
power, competent learning, aptness to
teach, and practical wisdom-that will
he required for the highest results. The
utmost possible diligence and care will
have to be exercised to find such each
ers n to get them into the work. and,
when found and at work, they mus
be upheld and their work accepted, and
with Christian charity appreciated
There will be need here of the prayer
to the Lord of the harvest that he
would send forth laborers into this
harvest as well as into the harvest of
the ministry Are there no
Christian parents whose highest wish
for their children is that they may learn
n truly live the Christian life. and fit
themselves for its lofty ends?"
Some people suppose that all that is
necessary is to talk and write of
Christian education n you have it.
Some appear to hin that all which is
necessary is to read a few verses from
the Bible. repeat a prayer, tell children
to be truthful and honest and diligent.
and to obey God. and you have a beau
tiful example of a Christian chool and
the imparting of Christian education.
1t is for the most part utterly super
fetal and without important results
Some people think that to educate the
mind you are changing a vile nature
and producing a marvellous result that
shall be only revealed amid the glories
of the life TO come. Education that
makes men wise unto salvation is most
blessed. but it is more honored in the
breach than in the observance 1t is
to be feared.