Mount Vernon (Ohio) College by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 4, 1908

Mount Vernon (Ohio) College

By G. B. Thompson

MAY 25 marked the close of another successful year's work in this institution. The blessing of God has been signally manifest in many ways during the period just closed. The attendance was more than one hundred during the greater part of the year, the enrolment, of course, being considerably more. Most of the students present during the year had before them the one object of gaining a preparation which will enable them to fill some place in the message.

I felt especially impressed during my visit there with how great things the Lord has done for this school in the matter of a beautiful location. “Beautiful for situation” can really be said of the Mount Vernon College. In the midst of good natural scenery, and far enough removed from the city to be entirely free from any wrong influences from this source, it affords a splendid place for young people to secure a Christian education.

This institution has done a good work in the past in the preparation of workers for the fields. Many of those who have been trained here are already filling important positions in foreign fields. A still greater future is no doubt before the school. Now that it has been made an institution of the Columbia Union Conference, its field from which to draw students will be greatly increased, and the scope and power of its work correspondingly enlarged.

If teachers and others who are especially responsible for the spiritual influence which permeates the institution and which really determines its usefulness, continue to walk with God, its influence as a training center for workers will do much in building up the work of the message. We feel assured that this will be so.

An excellent spirit marked the closing days of the school. The baccalaureate sermon on Sabbath, May 23, was preached by Elder J. M. Rees, president of the West Virginia Conference. The commencement address was given by the writer on Monday evening, May 25. The attendance upon this occasion was quite large, many former students and members of the church being present. The graduating class consisted of eleven earnest Christian students. Three of these were graduated in the scientific course, six in the academic, and two in the nurses' course. Two of those who were graduated, Geo. L. Sterling and Mable H. Klopfenstein, are already under appointment of the Mission Board to labor in the Society Islands, and expect to leave for their field of labor early in July. The others will no doubt fill stations of equal importance in other places either at home or abroad.

It was a personal privilege to me to meet with the teachers and students upon this occasion. Some changes will be made in the faculty of this school the coming year. Prof. J. B. Clymer, who has done faithful work as president of the institution during the past two years, expects to fill a position elsewhere, and Prof. S. M. Butler will take his place. Other changes will also be made, but it is expected that a strong faculty will be connected with the college the coming year.

There should be a general rally, especially in the Columbia Union Conference, in behalf of our educational work, and a strong effort made to fill Mount Vernon College to overflowing the coming year. It will be a blessing to the cause in the training of more workers, and it will be a blessing to the young people themselves, and be the means of saving many of them in the kingdom. Let all work to this end. G. B. THOMPSON.