Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-07-22
CHRISTIAN ENpEAvoR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning July &c, 1908.
Ey rev. S. H. DOYLE

NiV EEN. S. H. DOYLE.
Topic rhd nome mission schooihouse
Ena SHAT liz dpes.-II Chron. xvii. l-s.
The Importance of teaching in con-
aectiop with religion has been recog-
nize6 since he very earliest times. In
Che early uat ional life of the Jews
parents we're not only commanded to
keep and nagnify the law. but ''to
tsach t TO tbeir children" During the
Jewish dispersion in every Jewish
syaaSogae 'aere was school for the
ahldrea the teaching being largely re-
neleus Ia this respect Christianity
hss followed in the Footsteps of Juda-
lam Ebe York for centuries was
angels done by Christian parents and
academic Institutions organized by
Chrisiigr pbilant. opists, But for the
tasc century and a little over Sunday
Schools nave been associated with
most CHURCHES, the chief business of
which tas leen to instruct the young
ia the we'd of God. that it may make
.nefu "wlsC lnto salvation
such q history would necessarily and
Inevitably ak the school with mission
30 teach us well as preach. Churches
follow B,s example in this respect.
Tbe mission schoolhouse is an impor
rant actog oday as never before. The
hOos cf tle future lies in the children
and vogth # today, and If they can be
educated ong the right lines this fu-
ture 0ud NE future of Gods kingdom
are assured ..
la tna = ork of education and mis-
sioHS various kinds of schools are in
operation. There is the day school.
1t may be IN the missionary's house or
in tAe b0i ling prepared for it or in
any suEsoia place that can be secured.
The ils nlssion school in Alaska was
a d8uce hail. but it was the best place
that could be found. Here the smaller
children tend and are taught, and in
ell cur mission fields there are such
schoos Then there are boarding
schools, lrgely for young women. that
they laag lie taught for the purpose of
teachlHg their own people at home.
Such schools are necessary in all our
mission ieids. In home mission work
We nv AAttiA alApiS lh0 nus
kans, aountaineers of the south and
other exceptional classes of people in
our land For instance. the Presby
terrain church has such school at New
Concord. N. c., called Scotia seminary.
Here 100 of the brightest colored girls
Of the south are assembled, and when
graduated they go back to their own
oh sob cav or ,s1nS
having as many as sixty scholars I'M
der them. The tremendous advantage
of such widespread and important
work can scarcely be calculated. Above
the boarding schools are colleges and
Theological seminaries, where young
men are prepared for the ministry.
The mission schoolhouse, in whatever
form, stands for three things-the edu-
cation of the heart, the mind and the
hand The supreme object Of all mis-
sion work is to save souls, and this is
always kept in mind. No other edu-
cation will suffice to replace it. Learn
ing to use the hammer or to make n
dress is important, but neither can
regenerate the heart Christian teach
ers put religion first. but they do no
neglect the mind and hands. TIL
mind is trained. 1t was my privileg
as a director of Scotia seminary to
be present a few years ago at com
mencement to deliver an address the
evening before. There were 400 pres
ent and all dressed in white, and each
girl had made with her own hands the
dress that she wore. What young la
dies seminary, outside our mission
schools, could produce 400 students
who could make commencement
dresses? Perhaps some Of their ia
theirs would be pleased to know they
knew less Greek or French and more
about making their own clothes.
This is only brief reference to the
mission schoolhouse in comparison to
what might be said A volume might
be written and then something omitted.
But 1t at least shows US the Importance
of the school work and should increase
our interest in teachers and students.
They need our prayers or sympathy
and financial support. Let us give all
these literally and cheerfully.
BIBLE READINGS.
Deut. vi, 60; Elk. xviii, 1921; lisa. lii.
z; Prov. xxi, 1-6; Nah. /, 10; Matt.
xviii, 10, 20; Ps. Ii, II, 10; John xiv,
26, 81; Col. Iii, 1926.