p. 28 | Among the Schools by Frederick Griggs

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 2, 1908

Among the Schools

By Frederick Griggs

I WROTE the last report of my visit to the schools while I was at Union College, Neb. From that place I went to Stuart, Iowa. This school has been in the charge of Prof. Floyd Bralliar. He expects, however, that this will be his last year with this school, as he has perfected plans for associating with Brother O. R. Staines, of Nashville, Tenn., in independent school work for the colored people. Brother Staines has already entered upon this work. A farm has been purchased about five miles from Nashville, and improvements are being rapidly made. While I was at Nashville attending the union conference, I visited this school farm. Many of the incidents which led Brother Staines to this place seem to indicate in a decided way that the Lord has directed in the matter. Brother Bralliar will join Brother Staines as soon as possible after the school at Stuart closes. Brother M. Hare, formerly of Cooranbong, Australia, has been chosen principal of the Stuart Academy for the coming year. This school has done much in the way of scientific farming, particularly in seed-raising. Attention has also been given to the raising of good stock.

From Stuart I went to Bethel, Wis. It will be remembered that this school has suffered much from loss by fire. They are at the present time still holding school in the church building. This, of course, is not desirable, nor convenient; and yet, one can but be impressed with the spirit of adaptation prevailing in the school which enables them to do such good work under the unfavorable circumstances. Prof. A. W. Hallock, who has for some time been connected with the school as principal, left a few months ago to take up work in a new school, established by the Wisconsin Conference, at Hawthorne. It is called the Waldorfy school. Brother Charles W. Hess, a former teacher in the school, has also gone to Eagle River, Wis., to serve as principal of another intermediate school opened by the conference. It is called the Clear Water Industrial School. Brother A. W. Spaulding, who had been connected with Bethel Academy, was chosen to act as its principal. These and other changes in the school have made the work of rebuilding from the ruins by fire all the more difficult; and yet, it has gone forward most splendidly. A dormitory has been erected for the young ladies. This work was done almost entirely by the students and teachers, and is a great credit to the school. It has also meant much sacrifice on the part of those who were engaged in the work, for they received but very little remuneration for their services.

From Bethel I went to Berrien Springs, Mich. At Chicago I met Brother B. A. Wolcott, the principal of the Fox River Academy, and Elder William Covert, president of the board. I had a good conference with them with reference to the progress of their school. They report prosperity in every phase of the work, and are enthusiastically planning many new developments this coming year. At Berrien Springs I found Elder N. W. Kauble and his associates of good courage. I found here a fine class of students and a strong missionary spirit prevailing. I was pleased to see the large barn which they have recently constructed out of lumber sawn from trees which grew on the farm. The logs were hauled to the place where the barn was to be built, and a portable mill was brought there to do the work. The building was erected entirely by teacher and student labor. This building, and the young ladies' dormitory at Bethel, are evidences of the fact that it is possible for industrial training in our schools to show definite results. I was highly pleased to see both of these fine buildings, and believe that they should be a standing incentive to all our schools to prosecute more vigorously the industrial idea in education.

I next went to Cedar Lake, and Holly. These schools are the intermediate schools, respectively, of the West and East Michigan Conferences. In both of these schools I found an excellent class of students, and a good spirit of work prevailing. They are each making plans for more vigorous industrial work the coming year. The buildings of the school at Holly are not yet entirely finished. They will be well adapted to the work of the school. The school at Cedar Lake has eighty acres of land, and the school at Holly has seventy-seven acres.

At Mount Vernon, Ohio, I found the college home full. Prof. J. B. Clymer, president of the school, and his associate teachers are of good courage. The outlook for next year is flattering, as this school is now the training-school of the Columbia Union Conference. This will give to it a much larger field from which to draw students. It appears as if the accommodations would be hardly sufficient for the students who may come. With its enlarged opportunities the school seems to have a splendid future before it.

I was intending to go east from Mount Vernon, visiting the Tunesassa and Lorne Park schools and the South Lancaster Academy, but I received a telegram from South Lancaster Academy requesting me to delay my visit to that place, owing to the fact that Prof. B. F. Machlan and his family were suffering very serious illness. I therefore came directly to Washington; but have since received word from Professor Machlan that he and his family are rapidly improving. This school has suffered much this year, from fire, and from sickness. However, an excellent spirit seems to prevail on the part of teachers and students.

I have greatly enjoyed meeting with the faculties and students of our various schools on this trip. In our counsels at each school we talked over those things which would best advance the educational interests of the school; and so the interest of the cause in general. We have seen that there are many opportunities for broadening and strengthening the work of these schools, of which we must rapidly avail ourselves. We can not too highly appreciate the possibilities for good which lie in them, and every effort must be made to have them reach the highest standard.

FREDERICK GRIGGS.