Brabin’s Wisdom

This pleasant old building in the fair Lancashire village of Chipping in the old school house. Built by ‘John Brabin, gentleman’ in 1684, it is now a dwelling place, with Brabin’s Endowed School located close by in rather more extensive premises. His motto, or his school’s chosen ethos, is carved into the sandstone:

DOCE DISCE VEL DISCEDE

-translated Teach, Learn or Leave.

I like it! If only modern schools could be so forthright with their 15-16 year old shirkers who would rather be anywhere but in a classroom. Mr Brabin, a wealthy cloth merchant, would not have suffered idleness and waste. Those who wished to learn were welcomed to his free school; those who wished to misbehave or wile away their childhoods would have been well advised to leave and do something more productive. I wonder if he offers good advice to our churches also. If an attender or member won’t be taught, refuses to learn or to grow in the faith: goodbye, dear friend. If a pastor won’t teach, show him the door.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17