School Meeting | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Feb 16, 1882

School Meeting.

A MEETING of the S. D. A. School Committee of California, was held at Healdsburg, Sonoma County, in connection with the State quarterly meeting; present, W. C. White, Chairman; John Morrison, Elder J. H. Waggoner, T. M. Chapman, and Wm. Saunders, Secretary; absent, M. J. Church, and Wm. Butcher. At the first meeting, Mrs. E. G. White made appropriate remarks upon what should be the aims and ends of a denominational school, such as is purposed to be established in this State by Seventh-day Adventists, the gist of which was that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and that it was necessary to have a school of our own in order to take the children away from the evil influences found in nearly all the common schools and colleges of the day.

Elder Waggoner made remarks in favor of the establishment of a school.

W. C. White made a statement of what the Committee had done thus far in looking over the field to ascertain the best point for location, a principal to take charge of the school, the expense of tuition, board, etc.

W. Saunders stated that he regretted that we had not a full committee present—there were five of the seven on hand, however, and being a majority, were competent to act. Would like to hear the mind of the Healdsburg people on the subject.

Bro. Young stated that he favored this place for location of the school for the reasons that it was a place where property could be obtained cheaply, the climate was good, crops were certain, and the people were prosperous.

Elder Waggoner said he had visited several points in the State, and all things considered, Healdsburg seemed to offer the most advantages.

At the second meeting W. C. White reported that he had seen Professor Brownsberger in Michigan, and had succeeded in securing a promise from him to come to California and take charge of the proposed school, together with his wife who could act as one of the assistants. Report accepted.

Committee on location reported that the best, most suitable, and cheapest building attainable was at Healdsburg—a large two-story wooden building of excellent design and construction, in an eligible locality, upon commodious grounds, and already furnished and in use as a school, which could be obtained at reasonable figures.

The Committee examined the Healdsburg Institute building. The matter of teachers and text-books was discussed, when the following resolution was offered:—

Resolved, That the Board extend to Professor Sidney Brownsberger, of Battle Creek, Mich., an invitation to come and take charge of the proposed school as soon as possible, and that his wife also be invited to come with him and take a position as one of the teachers. Carried.

T. M. Chapman suggested that it was proper to consider the matter of locating the school at this time, whereupon John Morrison moved that the Healdsburg Institute be purchased on the terms proposed. This was seconded by Wm. Saunders, and after quite general discussion the question was put and carried unanimously.

Moved and seconded that W. C. White be empowered to receive a deed of the said school property in trust for the Board of Trustees of said school hereafter to be elected. This also received a unanimous affirmative vote.

After full consideration and discussion the following rates were fixed for tuition: Primary department, $2.50 per month; Intermediate, $3; Grammer, $4; High School, $5. Special studies, such as the languages, music, etc., to be charged extra. Where families send more than one pupil, a discount of ten per cent. to be allowed.

Moved that the school be called the Healdsburg Academy. Carried. WM. SAUNDERS, Sec.