was slain in the midst of feasting and revelry, after the hand of the unseen messenger from the heavenly courts had inscribed on the palace wall: "Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting." Besides Daniel, other masters on the honor roll are Joseph, Moses, Nehemiah, and Esther, whose illustrious careers are well known.

Education Fits for Heaven

Any system of education that restricts its efforts and its results to this earth life only, is narrow and incomplete. The wider and more complete significance of the work of true education is expressed in the following words:

"True education means more than the pursual of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world, and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come."Education," p. 13.

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Truly, then, education is God's means of fitting men and women in the school of earth to enter the school of heaven. Do we grasp this wondrous thought,- that right here on this earth, mortal, sinful men and women, surrounded by an atmosphere of evil and temptation, are to be so educated and transformed in body, soul, and spirit, that they can be transferred to the school of heaven and continue there the education begun here; that in character they are fitted to associate and con- verse with the holy, pure, and innocent heavenly beings, who have never sinned; and that through endless ages they will be companions and partners of these beings in the enterprises and joys of heaven, that have no limits and know no bounds? Truly, heavenly and divine must be the plan of education which brings to its possessor such a grand and glorious reward!

Heaven's School in Progress

The school of the hereafter is thus described:

"Heaven is a school; its field of study, the universe; its teacher, the Infinite One. A branch of this school was established in Eden; and, the plan of redemption accomplished, education will again be taken up in the Eden school."- Id., p. 301.

There we shall study science, history, and music. There every field of knowledge will be explored, and grand enterprises will be carried forward; for there the blossoms of learning shall bear the fruitage of doing, and all will be done according to the divine plan and order, which, only begun in the school of earth, will be continued in the school of heaven.

"To dwell forever in this home of the blest, to bear in soul, body, and spirit, not the dark traces of sin and the curse, but the perfect likeness of our Creator, and through ceaseless ages to advance in wisdom, in knowledge, and in holiness, ever exploring new fields of thought, ever finding new wonders and new glories, ever increasing in capacity to know and to enjoy and to love, and knowing that there is still beyond us joy and love and wisdom infinite, such is the object to which the Christian's hope is pointing, for which Christian education is preparing."-" Counsels to Teachers," p. 55.

XVII. THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

ADOPTED

THE system of education carried on by Seventh-day Adventists did not originate with them, but is one they have adopted. Their study of the Bible encouraged them to believe that in the Word of God are found the true principles of education as well as of morals and religion.

A Pattern of Divine Origin

Seventh-day Adventists believe that the God who created man knows best how to educate him; that He who was so particular and definite in giving instruction as to the training and culture of his soul, did not leave man in ignorance as to the best methods of developing and preserving his mind and body. This truth was emphasized by the spirit of prophecy in the early history of our educational work.

"The institutions of human society find their best models in the Word of God. For those of instruction [education], in particular, there is no lack of both precept and example. Lessons of great profit, even in this age of educational progress, may be found in the history of God's ancient people.

"The Lord reserved to Himself the education and instruction of Israel. His care was not restricted to their religious interests. Whatever affected their mental or physical well-being, became also an object of divine solicitude, and came within the province of divine law."— Reprinted from the Signs of the Times in the Review and Herald, Oct. 30, 1900.

That Seventh-day Adventists have an educational as well as an evangelical program to carry out, is clearly indicated by the following:

"They shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.' 'And thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.' Isa. 61: 4; 58: 12.

These words of Inspiration present before believers in present truth the work that should now be done in the education of our children and youth. When the truth for these last days came to the world in the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels' messages, we were shown that in the education of our children a different order of things must be brought in; but it has taken much time to understand what changes should be made."-" Testimonies for the Church," Vol. VI, p. 126.

During all these years a divine pattern in education. has been held before us. We have been admonished over and over again to build according to the pattern shown in the mount. The educational system of ancient Israel, especially the schools of the prophets, has been held up as the pattern for our schools.

"In all our churches, there should be schools, and teachers in these schools who are missionaries. . . . These schools, established in different localities, and conducted by God-fearing men or women, as the case demands, should be built on the same principles as were the schools of the prophets."-" Counsels to Teachers," p. 168.

"Let the school be conducted along the lines of the ancient schools of the prophets, the Word of God lying at the foundation of all the education given."- Id., p. 208.

"Our schools are to be more and more efficacious and selfreliant from a human standpoint, more like the schools of the prophets." Id., pp. 548, 549.

How We Have Builded

It was in 1873 that the first specifications for the rearing of an educational system were given through the spirit of prophecy, and in 1875 our first college was opened at Battle Creek, Mich. One specification laid down regarding this institution was the following:

"The Lord opened before me the necessity of establishing a school at Battle Creek that should not pattern after any school in existence."-" Special Testimonies on Education," p. 181.

After the college had been operating six years (in 1881), these words of warning were given:

There is danger that our college will be turned away from its original design. God's purpose has been made known, that our people should have an opportunity to study the sciences, and at the same time to learn the requirements of His Word. Biblical lectures

should be given; the study of the Scriptures should have the first place in our system of education.

"But for one or two years past there has been an effort to mold our school after other colleges. When this is done, we can give no encouragement to parents to send their children to Battle Creek College.

Our college is designed of God to meet the advancing wants for this time of peril and demoralization. The study of books only, cannot give students the discipline they need. A broader foundation must be laid. The college was not brought into existence to bear the stamp of any one man's mind. Teachers and principal should work together as brethren. They should consult together, and also counsel with ministers and responsible men, and above all else, seek wisdom from above, that all their decisions in reference to the school may be such as will be approved of God.

"To give students a knowledge of books merely, is not the purpose of the institution. Such education can be obtained at any college in the land. I was shown that it is Satan's purpose to prevent the attainment of the very object for which the college was established. Hindered by his devices, its managers reason after the manner of the world, and copy its plans, and imitate its customs. But in thus doing they will not meet the mind of the Spirit of God.

"If a worldly influence is to bear sway in our school, then sell it out to worldlings, and let them take the entire control; and those who have invested their means in that institution will establish another school, to be conducted, not upon the plan of popular schools, nor according to the desires of principal and teachers, but upon the plan which God has specified. . .

"God has declared His purpose to have one college in the land where the Bible shall have its proper place in the education of the youth. Will we do our part to carry out that purpose? . .

"Our college stands today in a position that God does not approve. I have been shown the dangers that threaten this important institution. If its responsible men seek to reach the world's standard, if they copy the plans and methods of other colleges, the frown of God will be upon our school. . .

"Our brethren permit their minds to take too narrow and too low a range. They do not keep the divine plan ever in view, but are fixing their eyes upon worldly models. Look up, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God, and then labor that your pupils may be conformed to that perfect character.

"The object of God in bringing the college into existence has been lost sight of. Ministers of the gospel have so far shown their want of wisdom from above as to unite a worldly element with the college; they have joined with the enemies of God and the truth, in providing entertainments for the students. In thus misleading the youth, they have done a work for Satan.

That work, with all