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The pupils of these schools sustained themselves by their own labor in
tilling the soil or in some mechanical employment。 In Israel this was not
thought strange or degrading； indeed； it was regarded a crime to allow
children to grow up in ignorance of useful labor。 By the command of God
every child was taught some trade； even though he was to be educated for
holy office。 Many of the religious teachers supported themselves by manual
labor。 Even so late as the time of the apostles； Paul and Aquila were no
less honored because they earned a livelihood by their trade of tentmaking。
The chief subjects of study in these schools were the law of God； with the
instructions given to Moses； sacred history； sacred music； and poetry。 The
manner of instruction was far different from that in the theological schools
of the present day； from which many students graduate with less real
knowledge of God and religious truth than when they entered。 In those
schools of the olden time it was the grand object of all study to learn the
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will of God and man's duty toward Him。 In the records of sacred history were
traced the footsteps of Jehovah。 The great truths set forth by the types
were brought to view； and faith grasped the central object of all that
systemthe Lamb of God that was to take away the sin of the world。
A spirit of devotion was cherished。 Not only were students taught the duty
of prayer； but they were taught how to pray； how to approach their Creator；
how to exercise faith in Him； and how to understand and obey the teachings
of His Spirit。 Sanctified intellects brought forth from the treasure house
of God things new and old； and the Spirit of God was manifested in prophecy
and sacred song。
Music was made to serve a holy purpose； to lift the thoughts to that which
is pure； noble； and elevating； and to awaken in the soul devotion and
gratitude to God。 What a contrast between the ancient custom and the uses to
which music is now too often devoted！ How many employ this gift to exalt
self； instead of using it to Glorify God！ A love for music leads the unwary
to unite with world lovers in pleasure gatherings where God has forbidden
His children to go。 Thus that which is a great blessing when rightly used；
becomes one of the most successful agencies by which Satan allures the mind
from duty and from the contemplation of eternal things。
Music forms a part of God's worship in the courts above； and we should
endeavor； in our songs of praise； to approach as nearly as possible to the
harmony of the heavenly choirs。 The proper training of the voice is an
important feature in education and should not be neglected。 Singing； as a
part of religious service； is as much an act of worship as is prayer。 The
heart must feel the spirit of the song to give it right expression。
How wide the difference between those schools taught by the prophets of God
and our modern institutions of learning！ How few schools are to be found
that are not governed by the maxims and customs of the world！ There is a
deplorable lack of proper restraint and judicious discipline。 The existing
ignorance of God's word among a people professedly Christian is alarming。
Superficial talk； mere sentimentalism； passes for instruction in morals and
religion。 The justice and mercy of God； the beauty of holiness and the sure
reward of rightdoing； the heinous character of sin and the certainty of its
terrible results；
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are not impressed upon the minds of the young。 Evil associates are
instructing the youth in the ways of crime； dissipation； and licentiousness。
Are there not some lessons which the educators of our day might learn with
profit from the ancient schools of the Hebrews？ He who created man has
provided for his development in body and mind and soul。 Hence； real success
in education depends upon the fidelity with which men carry out the
Creator's plan。
The true object of education is to restore the image of God in the soul。 In
the beginning God created man in His own likeness。 He endowed him with noble
qualities。 His mind was well balanced； and all the powers of his being were
harmonious。 But the Fall and its effects have perverted these gifts。 Sin has
marred and well…nigh obliterated the image of God in man。 It was to restore
this that the plan of salvation was devised； and a life of probation was
granted to man。 To bring him back to the perfection in which he was first
created is the great object of lifethe object that underlies every other。
It is the work of parents and teachers； in the education of the youth； to
co…operate with the divine purpose； and is so doing they are 〃laborers
together with God。〃 1 Corinthians 3：9。
All the varied capabilities that men possessof mind and soul and bodyare
given them by God； to be so employed as to reach the highest possible degree
of excellence。 But this cannot be a selfish and exclusive culture； for the
character of God； whose likeness we are to receive； is benevolence and love。
Every faculty； every attribute； with which the Creator has endowed us is to
be employed for His glory and for the uplifting of our fellow men。 And in
this employment is found its purest； noblest； and happiest exercise。
Were this principle given the attention which its importance demands； there
would be a radical change in some of the current methods of education。
Instead of appealing to pride and selfish ambition； kindling a spirit of
emulation； teachers would endeavor to awaken the love for goodness and truth
and beautyto arouse the desire for excellence。 The student would seek the
development of God's gifts in himself； not to excel others； but to fulfill
the purpose of the Creator and to receive His likeness。 Instead of being
directed to mere earthly standards； or being actuated
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by the desire for self…exaltation； which in itself dwarfs and belittles； the
mind would be directed to the Creator； to know Him and to become like Him。
〃The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom： and the knowledge of the
Holy is understanding。〃 Proverbs 9：10。 The great work of life is character
building； and a knowledge of God is the foundation of all true education。 To
impart this knowledge and to mold the character in harmony with it should be
the object of the teacher's work。 The law of God is a reflection of His
character。 Hence the psalmist says； 〃All Thy commandments are
righteousness；〃 and 〃through Thy precepts I get understanding。〃 Psalm
119：172； 104。 God has revealed Himself to us in His word and in the works of
creation。 Through the volume of inspiration and the book of nature we are to
obtain a knowledge of God。
It is a law of the mind that it gradually adapts itself to the subjects upon
which it is trained to dwell。 If occupied with commonplace matters only； it
will become dwarfed and enfeebled。 If never required to grapple with
difficult problems； it will after a time almost lose the power of growth。 As
an educating power the Bible is without a rival。 In the word of God the mind
finds subject for the deepest thought； the loftiest aspiration。 The Bible is
the most inst