River Plate Academy, Argentina, South America
[Members of the Sabbath-schools that have just given the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering to training-school work in Argentina and Chile, will read with special interest a portion of a letter from Prof. Walton C. John.] THE River Plate Academy has just concluded its thirteenth year of work. In 1899, Elder F. H. Westphal, in connection with Elder N. Z. Town and others, started our school in an apparently forlorn spot, although the Spirit's guidance must have shown to our brethren the future possibilities. From the beginning, our accommodations have not been adequate; nevertheless, to-day we look forward to the time when we shall be able to accommodate our pupils in a proper manner. The roll this year fell a little below expectations, reaching one hundred seventeen; nevertheless we are scarcely in a position to receive more students till the new dormitory is finished. The Thirteenth Sabbath Offering means, I believe, a new dormitory, and every church-member in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay will also give us help in realizing our desire.
Six students finished the eighth grade, and all but two entered the different branches of the work,—as nurses, as employees in the printing-office, or as missionaries in the field. The academy is strictly a training-school, and its students are very few who do not expect to take part in our organized work. Next year we expect to graduate two students in the advanced, or missionary course; this is the same as the twelfth grade. The spirit of work and study is growing among our South American young people, and during this last year the Lord has been very near to us, teachers and pupils, in all our duties. Many of our students have gained a strong religious experience during their stay, and are now going out to teach others. We have been blessed with a united, consecrated teaching force; and now for the new year, with additional help, we look for greater growth and expansion of our interests. We are all very glad to welcome Prof. H. U. Stevens and wife, who are to take the directorship here. They have already endeared themselves to the pupils, and have gained the confidence of both teachers and parents. We fully believe the academy will improve in the quality of its work as well as maintain more fully the highest ideals of our Christian schools. We are pleased to state that the government has up to the present shown a favorable attitude toward our work. I cite the case of Brother Emilio Roscher, one of our students who finished the eighth grade last year. The brethren in Crespo having obtained the customary permission from the regular authorities to establish a local church-school in the country, put Brother Roscher in charge, four grades being taught. He had good success from the beginning, and the attendance grew. However, the teachers in the neighboring towns became jealous and tried several times to oust him, and finally, at the beginning of the last term, succeeded. Brother E. Roscher, Emilio's father, a leading German brother, went with his son to Parana, the state capital, and called on the superintendent of education of the state or province. He stated his case, and the superintendent, Señor Antequeda, proceeded to examine the youth. He stood the test so well that the superintendent said, “Let me have that young man; if they don't like him, I do;” and then he gave him permission to conduct a private school in the province anywhere he chose, at the same time incidentally stating that he approved of the high standard of work done in our academy. Our brethren in Crespo will now have a good church-school for their thirty-five or forty children. Our closing exercises were of unusual interest, as Elder Francisco Westphal, the father of the academy, was present, besides several other brethren who helped the institution at its beginning,—Brother Pedro Peverini, of the Chaco, who put up the first building; Brother Domingo Daliezi, who gave the trees; Brother J. Lust, who gave the land; and Elder Luis Ernst, the first student, who helped dig the well. Many interesting experiences were recounted of the beginning of our school work and of its growth during the past fourteen years. In the educational department we are pushing our study and reading course for the ministers and workers, thus hoping to better the quality of their work and study.