p. 28 | Cedar Lake (Mich.) Industrial Academy

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 12, 1908

Cedar Lake (Mich.) Industrial Academy

By W. C. MATHEWSON

Since our last report we have been specially favored of God in the matter of spiritual blessings. The week of prayer was a precious season to us. We endeavored to make it a week of prayer indeed. Our chapel exercises were all devotional, and instead of limiting these periods to thirty minutes as ordinarily, we dispensed with three recitations, continuing them thirty minutes more. The spirited testimonies following the readings, indicated a desire to seek a “city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Not only in the academy, but also in the dormitory special services were held. The regular worship, morning and evening, was carried on as usual, and then, immediately after dinner each day, all met for prayer. Three separate meetings were held,—the boys, the girls, and the faculty, each meeting by themselves.

Since our vacation in December the enrolment has increased from seventy-three to ninety. I wondered what the effect would be of the new, unconverted students upon the spiritual condition of the school; but I have ceased to wonder. Not only have some of the new ones been converted, but the religious fervor of some of the old students has increased.

The active part that our students have taken in the Friday evening prayer-meetings has left its impression upon visitors. One brother from the northern part of the State, who had a daughter in the school, made our school a visit of several days’ duration before going to his new home in Arizona. Soon after meeting closed, he remarked to me that he could go away happy now, knowing that his daughter was in such good company. If all Seventh-day Adventist parents had such confidence in our schools, and would plan and work accordingly, what an unprecedented prosperity would attend our educational work! The present dearth of laborers would cease to exist.

It is a common thing, after a devotional meeting in which the hand of one or more has been raised for prayers, to see a few students in a corner of the chapel or in a room in the dormitory, praying for that student. This service is voluntary on their part. Such students are missionaries in the most practical way, and glorious in the result.

To illustrate God’s care for our young people, I will relate the following incident: One young man who has recently entered our school, was led to do this by means of dreams. In one of them he saw the Cedar Lake Academy dormitory, although he did not know at the time what it was. Upon coming here he recognized the building. This student has joyfully given his heart to God.

While none of our schools are perfect, and mistakes are sometimes made, yet one thing is evident: they are the Lord’s institutions, under his constant protection and watch-care. He dwells in these schools to mold the lives of students and teachers, that new laborers may enter the harvest to finish the work. Parents, what are your plans for the education of your children? What school are they going to attend next year?

W. C. MATHEWSON.