Our Schools by JOHN LIPKE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 6, 1907

Our Schools

By JOHN LIPKE

Our Industrial School in Taquary, Brazil

REALIZING the importance of Christian education, our brethren resolved at a conference held in Sao Leopoldo, of this State, to open an industrial school, where our youth could be educated for the great work of proclaiming the third angel’s message.

The committee appointed to look for a suitable place, found after much searching a property with the necessary, suitable buildings in Taquary, which was bought by our school association; and here, after the necessary repairs and preparations, the school was opened Aug. 19, 1903, with a fair number of students.

The Object

Our school has a well-defined purpose. Its mission is to train workers to carry the gospel to the inhabitants of Brazil. In the preparation of laborers the principles of true education are recognized. In educating the youth of both sexes we hope to turn out able canvassers, who can spread a knowledge of present truth with success, and to prepare Bible workers, teachers, and ministers who can proclaim to the world the last warning message in simple words with a heart filled with love for their fellow men. Since the opening of the school the work of the teachers with their students has been richly blessed.

Instruction

This institution offers a two years’ course in German and Portuguese. The Bible takes the first place in the studies. Instruction is also given in nature study, physiology, grammar, geography, arithmetic, writing, singing, music, dress cutting, sewing, hand-work, etc.

The Home

The main building contains a class room, a meeting room, general office, rooms for students and teachers, printing-office, kitchen, etc. Teacher and students are one family, and live and dine in the same house.

Farm

To the school belong about thirty acres of land, which in part is cultivated by the students, who are required to work four hours every day. Students have an opportunity to learn valuable lessons in horticulture and bee management. In our garden we can raise almost all the vegetables and fruits that can be raised in the States. Our students do the work in the house, on the land, in the garden, and in stable and barn, and do also the necessary building and building-repairing work.

When we look over the past and consider what the Lord has wrought, we must wonder and praise him. In various ways he has helped and counseled us. The educational work is a much more difficult work in Brazil than in the States. Our students pay only about $4.60 a month for tuition, board, rent, etc., and yet it is difficult for parents to pay even this amount. On the other hand, American ambition and push are lacking. Everything is done with paciencia (patience). A large per cent of the natives can neither read nor write. Among the Germans the conditions are somewhat better. The upper class has comparatively good schools, yet even in cities many can neither read nor write. With many disadvantages before us, we have pushed forward with the help of our Heavenly Father.

In our printing-office, which is located in the main building of our school, we are quite busy now. We print one German and two Portuguese journals every month. Next month we expect to print an extra number of our paper O Arauto da Verdade (Herald of Truth). About seven thousand copies have already been ordered, so we probably can print an edition of ten thousand. Besides that, we now print “His Glorious Appearing,” our second book in the Portuguese language, on our own press. All those dear brethren and sisters in the States who gladly contributed to our printing fund will be glad to learn that thousands of pages go out from the printing plant which they helped to buy, to warn the inhabitants of Brazil. How great, my brethren, will be your joy when you finally meet saved souls in the kingdom as a result!

JOHN LIPKE.