1897 Imago

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION X C HRISTIAN education is the mo t important factor of civilization. Within it pow r i the destiny of ages. Upon its foundation alone mu t be builded very uper– structure intended to be permanent . With it extension, it every opponent shall be constrained to make obeisance-its every friend shall be exalted. It contains the elements for the full development of the human body, mind and oul. It is the only solution of bringing a wrecked creation, animate and inanimate, up to and upon that plane of elevation which combines the perfection of the earthly and the ideal of the heavenly. The physician may prescribe intelligently, the judge may dispense justice impartially, the teacher may instruct carefully, the minister may pr ach conscientiously, the statesman may legi late adequately but all these separate or combined can accomplish but little– perhaps but stem the tide-until there is a universal desire, experience and reaching for Christian education. Christ was not a preacher, but a teacher. Thus he reflected the object of all nature, material, spiritual, human and divine-of every kingdom, mineral, vegetable, animal and spiritual-the great text books of time and eternity, we the student, He t he teacher. Christian education begins with the nothing, out of which God made all and end s with the attainment of the fullness of the stature of the uncreated yet incarnate Christ. It covers every subject, object, work, being, power, law and essence within the grasp of mind, the d uration of eternity and the gift of God. What cannot be finished here may be taken up in eternity. 39