South Lancaster Academy by Frederick Griggs

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 11, 1908

South Lancaster Academy

By Frederick Griggs

On May 25 occurred the closing exercises of the twenty-sixth year of South Lancaster Academy. Twenty-four students were graduated. This is the largest class in the history of the school. The motto of the class was: “Freely ye have received, freely give.” From personal conversations with individual members of the class, it would certainly appear that they have a very fixed purpose to make this motto real and actual in their lives. Nearly all have definitely arranged their work for the future. Several are planning to attend the Foreign Mission Seminary; others are going directly into the ministerial and Bible work; while several have arranged for their teaching work for next year. There were a goodly number who were graduated from the business and shorthand courses.

This school has had a very trying yet very prosperous year. At three different times the buildings were on fire, and once the fire obtained a very strong hold, though it was extinguished after severe fighting. There was also considerable sickness in the school. For eight weeks, the principal, Prof. B. F. Machlan, was unable to attend to his duties. Yet with it all, there has been a splendid spirit. The school has had the largest enrolment in its history, over three hundred, and nearly all the students had very definite aims and high ideals for their life work. As an illustration of the strong missionary spirit which prevails, there has gone to the conferences a company of about one hundred canvassers, among whom are four of the faculty.

It was naturally felt by some that the division of the Atlantic Union Conference, and the consequent lack of support to this school from those conferences joining the Columbia Union Conference, might work very disastrously to the school, but the outlook for another year does not seem to justify this fear. In addition to the large number of this year’s students who are definitely planning to return another year for the further prosecution and completion of their work, the school already has a mailing list of over eight hundred prospective students. The good state of discipline and the thorough, energetic spirit of study, together with the high ideals of consecrated living which are continually held before the students, give to this school promises of a most useful future. Situated, as it is, in the most densely populated portion of the United States,—in that portion where this last message is to be proclaimed with wonderful vigor and power,—it is but natural that we should rejoice in the good work which it is doing, and in its splendid prospects for the future. The reports from our schools throughout the field are one of the most encouraging features of our work. Many new recruits will soon be in the field.

FREDERICK GRIGGS.