The Opening of the School Year of 1915-16
By Frederick Griggs
At the time of the opening of our schools this fall, a letter was sent to the presidents and principals, asking them to report concerning the beginning of the year’s work. The majority responded, and for the next two or three weeks we shall give in this department of the REVIEW the substance of these responses. The steady growth of our schools is truly encouraging. The attendance each year has not been marked by any sudden and large increase, but there has been a steady, regular addition to the enrollment of the preceding year. This enlargement of our school enrollment is one of the most encouraging features of our school work. While numbers are not a measure of success in educational work, and should not be so considered, yet if the spirit of Christian education exists in our schools, it is gratifying to know that this education is being received by an increasing number. From the reports which follow, it will be seen that the spirit and genius of Christian education is not being lost sight of by our school workers. Without doubt, a higher standard of Christian experience prevails in our schools than ever before. If the general meetings of our educational people be considered a thermometer of the spiritual warmth and purpose of our educators, and they well may be, then surely the council held in June at the Pacific Union College proves that a higher spiritual standard does prevail. We had never had such a strong, spiritual meeting of our teachers as was this one, and the strength and help which came from it will certainly be seen in the work of this coming year. We are sure that these reports of our advanced and secondary schools will be read with much interest by all our people who are devoted to the cause of Christian education. FREDERICK GRIGGS. E. A. von Pohle, principal of Beechwood Academy, Fairland, Ind.: “School opened September 13, and before the close of the first week, we had forty students in attendance, two of whom earned their way by the scholarship plan. We hope to have the enrollment up to about forty-five within the next week or so. Our students are much younger this year than ever before in my experience, very few of them being over fourteen years of age. Our seventh and eighth grades are larger than we ever had before. We are glad to see seventh and eighth grades fill, as it means that these students will probably be with us for two or more years. We are making quite a number of improvements around the academy. At present we are working on the pressure water system building, a concrete block house sixteen by thirty-four feet. Part of this building will be used for boiler tanks and engines; but the rest of it will be used as manual training classroom, as we are going to do quite a little woodwork and other manual work this year. We are of good courage19concerning the work here, and believe that a good future is ahead of us.” E. C. Kellogg, president of Walla Walla College, College Place, Wash.: “The first week in the new school year is a matter of history. At the end of that time the enrollment was one hundred and seventy-nine, being twenty-one more than a year ago. There were one hundred and eleven in the grades, making a total enrollment of two hundred and ninety. Wednesday and Thursday were matriculation days. At sunset Friday evening a devotional meeting was held in the chapel. It was conducted by Elder C. W. Flaiz, and had a large attendance. An excellent spirit prevailed. Owing to overcrowded conditions at the church, a college Sabbath school was organized, with a membership of nearly one hundred. Saturday evening the usual reception was given by the faculty. After some time spent in a social way, a pleasant and profitable program was rendered. Altogether, the school opened under favorable conditions and with excellent promise of a successful year. It is the purpose of the institution that the prayers of the many friends for special prosperity to attend the work shall be answered.” Thos. W. Steen, principal of Adelphian Academy, Holly, Mich.: “Our school opened September 7, with eighty-four present the first day. This initial enrollment was just twenty higher than last year, when we enrolled sixty-four the first day, at that time the highest enrollment in the history of the school. Since the opening we have enrolled thirteen more, bringing our membership to ninety-seven, with a number of others planning to enter soon. Our aim has been to make our average attendance this year one hundred. Already we have seated our chapel with one hundred and four chairs, and we expect they will all be filled by the first day of the second month. Although some of the students are young and a number are from high schools, nevertheless on the whole we feel there is a more earnest spirit manifested by the students than we have observed before. A number are present who earned scholarships last summer. Some who taught church schools last year are also present.” J. B. Clymer, principal of Fox River Academy, Sheridan, Ill.: “The first week of our school is in the past, and while our enrollment is not large, yet there are four more than there were last year at the same time, and our outlook for further increase is quite encouraging. Several have been detained on account of the lateness of the threshing season who will undoubtedly be with us a little later. There is an earnest spirit in our school. The young people seem to realize more than ever before the need of a preparation for the Lord’s work and the shortness of the time in which to get this preparation, and are entering into their work heartily. There are seven here at present who have earned a part of their scholarship by canvassing, and there are three or four others who are still working on that plan and will be here within a short time.” O. J. Graf, president of Emmanuel Missionary College, Berrien Springs, Mich.: “Our school has opened very encouragingly, with an enrollment of two hundred and twelve. We have the largest number of students in our dormitories that we have ever had, and they have overflowed into neighboring cottages, and still they come; and what encourages us still more, is the splendid class of young people. Practically all have publicly taken their stand for the Lord. A spirit of loyalty and cooperation and of earnest service characterizes these opening days. The Bible workers’ band is organized, with a membership of about thirty; the ministerial band, with about the same membership. The young men have already found several places in halls and schoolhouses where they are planning to begin meetings in the near future. From thirty to thirty-five of our students earned scholarships by selling our literature during the past summer. The spirit of earnestness, service, and cooperation is more marked than ever before. Last Friday night we had a vesper service that was really remarkable. Christian joy seemed to fill every heart.” Harvey A. Morrison, president of Union College, College View, Nebr.: “The opening of Union College for the twenty-fifth year has been an inspiration to all who are connected with it. There has been a very substantial increase in our enrollment, reaching two hundred and seventy-three at the close of last week, or twenty-three more than we had last year. This is especially encouraging because practically all our students are mature, and a very large number of them are taking college work. There is a spirit of earnestness and a determination to make this year their best in spiritual advancement. All the students are engaging in the religious activities of the school in a very whole-hearted way. Our enrollment is rapidly increasing, and we know of many who are still to come. Forty-six are attending school because of work done in the canvassing field. Thirty-three earned one or more scholarships. It is a great encouragement to us to have such an earnest, mature, and stable class of young people to train for the Master’s service. We believe that the Lord has sent them to us for a great purpose, and every effort is being put forth that the training received in Old Union will be to that end.” W. T. Bartlett, concerning the Stanborough Park Missionary College, Watford, England: “At the close of the current school year we shall be sending seven young persons into the work,—five young men into the ministry, and two young women into the Bible work. Brother T. M. French, who had charge of our school on the west coast of Africa, has been invited to join our faculty. This will increase its strength. We have been affected to some extent by the war. Several of our former students were unable to deliver the books they had taken orders for, and so were hindered from returning to school. We have a total enrollment of about seventy this year. Most of our students are in earnest, and they have been working hard. I have been expecting that some would come to us from India, judging by the correspondence from some of the workers there, but possibly the work hindered. I do not see why Stanborough College should not continue to train workers for this country and for foreign fields.”