Closing Exercises of Walla Walla (Wash.) College
By M. E. Cady
ANOTHER year of school work is just completed at Walla Walla College, and a very prosperous one it has been in every way. The enrolment in the college department was two hundred fifty-two, with ninety-six in the normal department, making a total enrolment of three hundred forty-eight, as against two hundred sixty-eight the previous year. This indicates a gain of eighty students for the year just passed. The average attendance throughout the year has been very good, a larger percentage of the students entering the college at the opening and remaining until the close. The college has also been favored with an older and more mature class of students than in former years. This enables the college to carry a more advanced and substantial grade of school work. There has been an excellent degree of spiritual interest during the year. About forty have been baptized, several of whom knew nothing of the truth before coming to the college. Two of these were members of the Roman Catholic Church, but have now identified themselves with our faith, and are out this summer in the canvassing work. One of these two young women completed the advanced normal course, but both will return to college next fall, as they wish especially to continue the study of Bible and history. A young man, a member of the Presbyterian Church, accepted the truth and is out in the canvassing work this summer. He also expects to return to the college in the fall, that he may further qualify himself for service in the Lord’s cause. A Japanese, a member of the Methodist Church, was converted and baptized, and has now a strong and determined purpose to go to his native country, and give the light of the third angel’s message. Others might be named who have come to the college strangers to present truth, but who have yielded their hearts and lives in obedience to its convicting power. About sixty have entered the canvassing field this summer, expecting to earn scholarships for the next school year. An excellent degree of interest was manifested in the canvassers’ institute, and a large majority of the students took advantage of the instruction given. Besides the regular Missionary Volunteer Society, a Foreign Missionary Volunteer Band was organized having a membership of about forty. The work and study of this band brought a splendid missionary spirit into the school. Several of its members are planning to enter a foreign field soon. Commencement Week Program
The closing exercises of the school consisted of several programs rendered during the week. These programs were helpful in showing the character of the work done in the various departments. Sunday evening, May 3, the children from the normal department gave an interesting program bearing on the work in Spanish America. The children had raised by self-denial $11.38 to be used to help in buying a mule for a canvasser in that field. The audience added $17.59 to the children’s offering, making a total of $28.97 to be applied in purchasing a mule. The many scriptures repeated from memory by the children, and the enthusiasm manifested in missionary work, showed how they are being prepared to act a part in the closing work of the message. On Sunday, May 10, the class in physical culture rendered an interesting program, which showed that this work in the school is very helpful in developing the body physically. On Wednesday afternoon and Thursday evening, May 13, 14, were given two musical recitals consisting of numbers rendered in both vocal and instrumental music. These programs indicated that progress has been made in this department during the past year. Thursday morning were held the industrial graduating exercises. Elder E. E. Andross, lately from England, gave the address on this occasion. He emphasized the value and importance of this phase of the educational work in preparing men and women for work in foreign fields. There were eight graduates,—three from the printing department, three from the dressmaking department, one from the bakery department, and one from the broommaking department. Friday morning, May 15 a program was rendered by the members of the normal training class. It consisted of selections of music rendered by the children, and several interesting papers prepared by different members of the class on the subject of Christian education. These papers briefly covered the history of Christian education from Eden lost to Eden restored, emphasizing the great work of educational reform that is to be carried on under the third angel’s message. ON Sabbath, May 16, Elder H. A. Washburn delivered the baccalaureate sermon, dwelling upon the words found in Heb. 3:1. As he considered “the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus,” showing what a complete and perfect Saviour we have,—one who has been tempted in all points like as we are,—the Spirit of God came in and witnessed to the word spoken. Hearts were melted by the recital of Christ’s temptations and sufferings in the wilderness, and the agony and anguish that he experienced on the cross, which assures his followers that the enemy has been vanquished, and the victory won for those who are faithful. The student social service in the afternoon was a blessed occasion. It was a meeting of praise to God for the manifold blessings of the year. From ten to16thirty were standing on their feet at a time, waiting to give their testimony of praise and thanksgiving for the blessings of the past year. Some who had grown careless, and some for the first time in this last students’ meeting, yielded to the influence of the very manifest presence of the Spirit of God. About fifty thus responded to the call for consecration. Just before closing the meeting with the prayer that God would bless those who had thus responded, and would be with all during the summer vacation, a request was made for all who were fully determined to live for Christ to stand. It was very gratifying and cheering to the teachers to observe that the entire audience arose to their feet. This service was a blessed occasion, and one that will be long remembered. Sunday, May 17, at 11 A. M., the regular graduating exercises were held. The writer gave the address on this occasion, the subject being “Christian Education: a New and Living Way.” The graduating class was a large one, numbering twenty-two. Three received diplomas from the advanced normal course; four from the elementary normal; two from the preparatory medical; two from the German Biblical; eight from the commercial; and three from the stenographic course. With scarcely an exception the members of this large class have dedicated themselves to the work of the Lord. One matter, perhaps seemingly small, connected with the class shows how the missionary spirit is burning in their souls: Instead of spending money, as usual, to have a class picture taken, it was decided to take this means and start a fund to be used in helping train young men and women in the schools in their native land. The sum given by the class for this purpose amounted to twenty-five dollars. When this matter was spoken of at the class meeting held Sunday evening, the amount was increased by contributions from some in the audience. The class exercise was interesting and profitable. It was preceded by a farewell reception held on the lawn. This was an enjoyable occasion, but not unmixed with sorrow as we thought of the happy hours spent together in the work of the past year, and that not all would be privileged to associate thus together again; but our hearts were cheered by the thought that the grand reunion will soon take place for those who are faithful; so with kind admonitions to faithfulness and perseverance, and with expression of good wishes for success, we said farewell. The past year has been a very successful one, and has given to the faculty a clearer view of the great work that God designs shall be done in this institution. The prospects for the year to come are very bright. The debt of the college is nearly paid off. About nineteen thousand dollars is already paid, and there is a good prospect for the balance (six thousand dollars) to be paid before the school opens, Sept. 16, 1908. With this burden off from the college, better facilities can be provided, and much better work can be done. As we review the work of the past year, and note the progress that has attended it in its various features we can only say, “What hath God wrought.”