Taking the Torch

          “Do not remove the ancient landmarks which your fathers have set”  Proverbs 20:28.

In the times of the ancient Hebrews, landmarks were used to indicate property boundaries. It was a serious offense to remove a landmark.

Similar to the biblical story of the discovery of the ancient manuscripts of the book of the law in the walls of the temple, (II Kings 12:8) truths new and old are waiting to be discovered in the writings in the book Education (White, 1903). These inspired principles are a gracious gift, instructing us to a biblical education in a time when we face unprecedented challenges of the current age. Landmarks if you will, to keep us on the right path and to guide future generations.

Leaders of the Advent educational movement recognized these landmarks and spent their lives following and implementing them. Edward Sutherland, along with Percy Magan, founded Emmanuel Missionary College (aka Andrews University) in 1901, and served as its first president, moving it from a town parcel in Battle Creek, Michigan to a large 272-acre farm in Berrien Springs, Michigan where the curriculum could be built around the outdoors and nature, in line with inspired counsel. Those who left their earlier occupations to become the first pioneer faculty of Emmanuel Missionary College shared living quarters in a farmhouse on the property, eating meager meals together around a rough board table and taking no pay for their teaching work. Such was their commitment to the counsel.

These landmarks of counsel and instruction present a lovely ideal for developing the whole child, mind, body, and spirit, allowing every child to be free to explore nature, to contemplate the Creator of all living things, of preserving and relishing innocent childhood, and combining academics with real-life, practical, hands-on learning to make it concrete and meaningful. These principles stand juxtaposed against the current secular ideals of education such as test-based instruction in a sterile learning environment, little or no outdoor time for children during school hours, unnecessary academic pressure, and a mountain of regulations and policies.

Interestingly, the education of the whole child is becoming increasingly popular in educational philosophy and is gaining ground in certain circles of environmentalists. This is largely due to the mounting research on the effect of nature on the human brain and learning, as well as its effect on the mental, emotional, physical, and psychological aspects of humans. Research is now confirming inspired counsel.

For all of its supposed academic superiority, secular education today is, by in large, not following the research on how children learn. In a quagmire of tradition, politics, and policies, it is largely driven by the ever-present push for more government funding. Those making curriculum decisions are far removed from the teacher in the classroom and the students upon whom these standards are imposed.

We need to uphold the ancient landmarks we have been given, to rebuild a model of learning that is balanced and compelling---where children look forward to school each day, where learning is not a burden, where the spark of curiosity and wonder is not smothered under mountains of homework, rote learning, and frequent testing; where children do not experience academic burnout, but are ignited to wonder and know and learn about this great big beautiful world that God has made, and are given the opportunity to be free to explore nature to that end.

As we embark on this new school year at Cottage Forest School, we are committed to uphold the ancient landmarks graciously given to us as they guide us toward a holistic education of our children. We accept the torch that has been passed to us by those educational leaders who have gone before us and who committed their lives to following those landmarks and counsels. Their vision and inspiration will guide us, leading us to uphold those sacred truths of nature, Scripture, and character development that form the foundation of all true education.

“Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings” Isaiah 58:12.