Among the Schools by Frederick Griggs

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

Among the Schools

By Frederick Griggs

I HAVE recently visited a number of our schools, and think a few words about these visits may be of interest to our educators. The real purpose of the trip was, first, to meet with the conference committees of the Northern Union and South Dakota conferences to confer with them concerning the establishment of union and State schools; and, second, to attend a meeting at the Madison (Tenn.) Agricultural and Normal Institute.

On my way West I stopped off for a day at Mount Vernon College. Prof. S. M. Butler has just entered upon his duties as president of this school. Quite a number of changes have been made in the faculty. The school has perhaps the largest opening attendance which it has ever had. Extensive repairs are being made upon the building, in painting, papering, rebuilding of porches, etc. These repairs were very necessary. Natural gas is also being piped to the building, and the boilers will be heated by it. Altogether I feel that there is a splendid spirit of courage and progress in the institution.

From Mount Vernon I went to Chamberlain, S. D., in company with Elder A. G. Daniells. The brethren were in conference when we arrived. The immediate purpose of the meeting was to consider a proposition made by the citizens of Chamberlain to secure for our people a property built by the federal government for the education of the Indians. On account of the closing of certain Indian reservations, and changes for the education of the Indians, the government does not desire to continue this particular school much longer, and accordingly many of the citizens, who are acquainted with our people through the sanitarium work in the place, are desirous of having this property secured to us for a school. Careful consideration was given to the proposition of securing it for a union school; but it was not felt wise to do this, largely owing to the undesirable location; it would not be centrally located for the Northern Union Conference. Accordingly, the South Dakota Conference decided to take over the property if it could be secured on favorable terms. The brethren, however, voted that in their opinion the Northern Union Conference should have a union conference school, and they requested the union conference committee to give careful consideration to the matter of its establishment.

From Chamberlain I went to Elk Point, S. D., in company with Prof. J. B. Clymer, who was in attendance at the meeting at Chamberlain. Elder Daniells was obliged to return to Washington, and could not visit some of the schools with me as he had hoped to do. I was much pleased with the condition of the school at Elk Point. In view of the fact that this school is not well located, and the buildings are not well constructed for school work, also that there is danger from the ravages of the Missouri River, which flows near the property, it has been decided to move the school to a different location. However, the buildings have been calcimined and renovated for this year's work, so that they present a neat appearance. There is an excellent class of students in attendance, and from the present outlook it seems as if the school might not be able to accommodate all who desire to come.

From this school I went to College View. The attendance this year is a trifle smaller than that of last year at the same time. This is owing largely, undoubtedly, to the fact that four intermediate schools are opening in the Central Union Conference; or, if not opening for the first time, are being better equipped, so that they are drawing a much larger patronage. I was particularly pleased with the work which is being done in the normal department of Union College. An earnest effort is being made to develop those methods which will be of particular use in our church-schools.

I next went to the intermediate school at Stuart, Iowa. The faculty of this school is almost entirely changed from that of last year. Brother M. M. Hare is the principal. There is a remarkably well-graded and fine class of young people in this school. Everything seems to be neat and orderly about the place. A new dormitory, with dining-hall, is building. The Iowa Conference is also contemplating the establishment of another small intermediate school in the northern part of the State.

I then visited Berrien Springs. In this school also there have been many changes in the faculty. Prof. Otto J. Graf, who was in charge of the history department of Union College last year, is president of the faculty. There is quite a little increase in the attendance of the school over that of last year at this time. We look for Emmanuel Missionary College to do a splendid work in training a large army of young people in the Lake Union Conference for efficient service.

At Battle Creek I met for a short time with the teachers of the Battle Creek Academy. This school now has an enrolment of about one hundred twenty-five, and does ten grades of work.

From there I went to Graysville, Tenn., where I spent three days. Here, too, there have been a number of changes in the faculty. During the last year quite extensive repairs, which are not yet wholly completed, were made in the buildings. This school is in need of a dormitory for the boys. There is a sober, earnest spirit among the students, and we think that a good work will be done by this school during the year.

From Graysville I went to Madison. The convention of self-supporting workers had begun when I arrived. Elder and Mrs. S. N. Haskell, from California, were in attendance, as were also several members of the General Conference Committee and representatives from several union and local conferences. Important questions relative to the methods of self-supporting work, and of its relation to the regular organized work, were considered. A committee was appointed to study some of these problems, and to present resolutions for the consideration of the next General Conference, in common with the other resolutions of the department of education. Since we last visited this school, in January, an excellent water system has been installed, and the sanitarium, which was building, completed; a study hall has also been erected. On Sunday, October 18, the grounds and buildings were dedicated. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Elder R. A. Underwood, and prayer was offered by Elder S. N. Haskell. The brethren in charge of this school are looking forward to the time when they will have the buildings for the school completed, and can devote their energies more fully to building up their educational work. These buildings and cottages, which have been erected almost entirely by student help, are a credit to the work of the students. A fine class are in attendance at the present time.

From here I went to Hazel, Ky., and visited the school there. This school is also in a building period. It was formerly established in the edge of the village; but two years ago a tract of about fifty-five acres of land was purchased about two miles from the village, and building was begun upon it. The year before last, a building serving as a girls' dormitory and dining-hall was erected, and during last year another building to be used as a boys' dormitory and study hall was begun. This building is rapidly nearing completion. In front of these buildings are several acres of woodland. This is to be cleaned out and reserved as a grove and for pasturage. When completed, the buildings will be reasonably well adapted to the work of the school, and will accommodate about forty boarding students. Brother Thomas D. Rowe, the principal of the school, and his assistants have a splendid opportunity for the development of one of our strongest intermediate schools. The school is free from debt. Last year its income was over three hundred dollars more than its running expenses. This was the last school which I visited before returning to Washington.

At Nashville, on my way to Washington, I met Brother W. J. Blake, principal of the Huntsville School for colored workers, and had a short visit with him concerning the work of his school. He has a good report to give of the progress of the work in that institution.

As I have visited these schools, and have noted the earnest endeavors which all are making to provide not only neat, substantial buildings and pleasant environments for the students, but to bring the courses of study and methods of teaching into close harmony with the light which has been given us upon these subjects, I have rejoiced that God has given us these schools for the education and preparation of our young men and women for gospel service. May the Lord give courage and prosperity not only to the workers in these schools of which I have spoken, but to those in all our schools in this and in other lands.

FREDERICK GRIGGS.