p. 18 | The Opening of Our Schools by H. R. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 13, 1910

The Opening of Our Schools

By H. R. S.

Reports are already beginning to come in from our schools, telling of the encouraging outlook for the year, as seen from the opening week. The first report to reach me was from Prof. F. Griggs, of —

Union College

He says: “Our school opened yesterday morning with as many students in chapel as at any time for years previously.” This report is especially encouraging when we consider that this year all the foreign departments have been withdrawn, each to its own school, and that new intermediate schools have just been opened in Union College territory.

Prof. C. S. Longacre sends in the following from —

South Lancaster Academy

“Am glad to report that we had one of the finest openings of the academy this year that we have yet had. While the opening day did not see quite as many students present as a year ago, we did not lack any in interest and enthusiasm, and are glad to know that there are many others yet to come. We have no doubt that the enrolment will be about the same as a year ago. The Lord has greatly blessed so far in our work. A little more than a week has passed, and we have had three of the greatest revivals yet experienced in the school. The Lord is blessing us by giving us his Holy Spirit, and precious souls are being converted. An earnest class of young people has gathered here, and the outlook for the coming year is encouraging. We praise the Lord for what he has done for us.”

A cheering report comes from Prof. O. J. Graf for the —

Emmanuel Missionary College

“I am glad to be able to report an encouraging opening for our school. Our opening enrolment is about twenty-five per cent higher than that of last year, and a fine lot of young people they are. We are especially gratified at the progress those have made who have been actively engaged in the Lord’s work the past summer. I am eagerly watching the REVIEW for reports of the opening of our other schools.” And the readers of the REVIEW in the Lake Union Conference and elsewhere, who are eagerly watching for this report, will be thankful for the large increase of students, which means more workers for God.

Prof. M. B. Van Kirk writes from Graysville, Tenn., for the —

Southern Training School

“While the enrolment was not as large as last year, the spirit manifested in the opening session was most pleasing. The fact that the enrolment was somewhat light is due to our closing late last spring, and opening two weeks earlier than usual this fall, thus cutting off the time of our canvassers about a month. The enrolment was largely increased during the first week of school, and at present the attendance is about normal, while a number of prospective students will arrive in a few days. The spirit manifested by the students thus far has been most pleasing. The class work is taken up with real earnestness, and spiritual interests are carried forward in a healthful manner. The students’ prayer-meetings have thus far been encouraging, for the Spirit of God has been present. It is hoped to make these meetings an important factor in the life of the students.”

From still farther down in the Southland comes another good report, this time from Prof. W. J. Blake, of the —

Oakwood Manual Training School

“We are very glad to be able to tell you that our school opened with bright prospects for a successful year. We have already enrolled between fifty and sixty students, and many more will come in as the season advances. One encouraging feature to us is the fact that the majority of our students are of mature minds, and several of them, with a short preparation, will be ready to go out into the field. Our new nurses’ class has already been organized with a membership of five. The Drs. M. M. and Stella C. Martinson are working hard to make this work a success. The sanitarium will soon be finished, and then we shall be able to receive patients; this will give us much practical work for the nurses.”

From still farther away comes a report of the opening of our school at —

St. Thomas, Danish West Indies

where the educational work is proving not only a blessing to the children of our own people, but is also bringing under its influence those not of our faith. Brother H. C. J. Walleker says: “Yours of the sixteenth reached me in due time. Thank you very much for your kindness in securing Brother and Sister Oberg for our school. They reached here in time to open the school on September 5. We have the best school in town, and most of our pupils are from the better class. Several new names are already enrolled, and we trust this number will be increased January 1, which is the beginning of the school year here.”

H. R. S.