Notes

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 6, 1908

The work on the new school building at Lornedale (Ontario) Academy is progressing nicely. Elder Eugene Leland is conducting the school at present, as the school is unable to secure a teacher.

The students and teachers of Fernando Academy during the past year raised three hundred dollars to assist the mission school at Rome, Italy, and the present year they are planning to double this amount.

Prof. J. B. Clymer, president of Mount Vernon College, writes that the students of the college have made pledges, which will average one dollar for each student, for the fund for the establishment of the training-school in the Latin Union Conference. They are to pay their pledges during the month.

The managers of the South Lancaster Academy contemplate a most earnest campaign for the removal of all indebtedness now resting upon the institution. This school is one of the oldest, and it is to be hoped that the day is not far away when it shall be entirely removed from the thraldom of debt.

Prof. R. W. Airey, principal of Laurelwood Academy, Gaston, Ore., in writing of their school work during the week of prayer, said: “We have had some of the most precious experiences it has been my privilege to enjoy. The Spirit of the Lord was especially manifested one evening when every heart in the congregation was touched and melted to tears. All (with the possible exception of one) who had not previously confessed their sins, did so, and consecrated themselves to the work of the Lord. As a result of the meeting, there are about thirty candidates for baptism, and a number of young persons are ready to respond to the call of the Lord, ‘Here am I; send me.’”

There is an earnest call being made for a teacher for the island of Grenada. Brother and Sister W. A. Sweany have been carrying on evangelical work on this island, and as the result there are forty or fifty children and young people ready to attend school. The principal hindrance is the lack of means to support a teacher. A brother some months ago pledged a sum of money for this work; but it is not enough to supply a teacher for any length of time. It is thought that if a teacher could be supplied for one year, the school would become self-supporting. Here is an opportunity for those who are able to do so to contribute to a splendid work.

The closing exercises (for the school year) of the Bethel Academy occurred during the latter part of December. A very interesting program was prepared. The motto of the graduating class was, “Not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” The theme of the program was that of ministry. Some of the titles of papers and addresses are as follows: “The Ministry versus the Preacher,” “The Ministry of the Home,” “The Minister on the Farm,” “The Minister of Health,” “The Minister to the World.”

The Brooklyn Teachers’ Association recently appointed a committee to conduct an investigation into grading and courses of study. The committee reported that educators throughout the United States seem to favor a course of liberal education consisting of fifteen grades, instead of sixteen as at present. And instead of the present plan of promotion by grades, they recommended a system of promotion by subjects. It was thought that an effort would be made to place this matter before the National Educational Association at an early meeting.

The following resolutions on education were adopted by the Southern Union Conference at its recent biennial session held at Nashville, Tenn.:—

“As a means of providing a standard of educational work in our primary schools—

“We recommend, That conference secretaries of education provide for a uniform examination in all these schools, based on the grading as outlined in the ‘Manual’ for Church and Mission Schools.”

“We recommend, That at least twice each year a Sabbath be set apart in all our churches for consideration of educational interests; and further, that these days be uniformly appointed throughout the union conference, and that the program be provided by the Educational Department.

“We recommend, That the executive committee of the Southern Union Conference provide for a gathering for teachers at such time during the coming summer, and at such place, and for such duration, as may be deemed best.

“We recommend, to our conferences and to their educational secretaries, that special efforts be made, first, to place our school ‘Manual’ in the hands of all teachers; second, to place our uniform text-books in all schools as far as practicable; third, to encourage all teachers to read the books assigned for the study of teachers each year, and also some good educational journal.

“Whereas, Great advantages appear in the proposition made by our publishing house to offer scholarships to those who sell books to the required amount,—

“Resolved, That we keep the plan before our young people in all the conferences, and encourage as many as possible to take up the sale of books with the earning of a scholarship in view.

“We recommend, That our primary and intermediate schools conform in the grades of work offered, to the plans adopted by the Department of Education of the General Conference.”