The Du Quoin Intermediate School by A. C. Haughey

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

The Du Quoin Intermediate School

By A. C. Haughey

FROM its earliest existence the Du Quoin (Ill.) school has been handicapped for want of a dormitory. Few parents are willing to send their boys and girls away from home to live in some private family unless they are perfectly satisfied that the home environments of that family are thoroughly conducive to a healthy spiritual growth, as well as to a symmetrical physical and mental development.

This, together with some local conditions, has tended to keep our attendance lighter than it otherwise might have been. However, those who have come are endeavoring to qualify themselves to enter some field of usefulness in the Master's service. Every student in the intermediate department, with perhaps one exception, is planning to engage actively in the work soon. Nearly all, if not all, will enter the canvassing field next summer. Some intend to earn a scholarship for Emmanuel Missionary College. One or two hope to teach next year. Some who went to school last year are teaching this year. So while we have been unable to see such results as we would like, yet omens are more encouraging now than at any time in our history.

To the writer's mind we are handicapped more for lack of room and facilities for carrying on the different lines of manual training than all else combined. God has plainly indicated to us that we should have manual training in our schools, and surely no school can attain to the standard God would have it without carrying on this department of the work as a part of the daily curriculum. God wants us to exercise faith. He is able, willing, and anxious to do great things for his people. Why does he not do so?—Because we stand in the way.

William Hawley Smith, the renowned lecturer, said to the writer a short time ago: 'You Adventists are right in your ideals of education. Stand by them, and you are sure of success. The road may be rough and rocky, but it will pay to climb the steep.' Men of the world are not slow to recognize the merits of any good thing. Why are we so slow? I know but one reason. Rev. 3:17 tells the whole story. What a dreadful thing it is! But thank God for the eighteenth verse. In it is couched the panacea for all our ills. Let us heed it. And evidently one of the best ways to do so is to arise to a realization of our duty in the way of educating ourselves to the work of giving the message to the world in this generation. The Du Quoin church and school are beginning to see and grasp the situation; for this we feel thankful. A missionary spirit seems to be coming, which must result in good. Brethren and sisters, remember us in your prayers, that we may rally to the standard, and help to make a short work of our long-neglected duty.

A. C. HAUGHEY.