p. 19 | Among Our Schools by Frederick Griggs

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 11, 1915

Among Our Schools

By Frederick Griggs

Plainview Academy

UPON leaving Union College, I visited the academy at Redfield, S. Dak. I found the school in a prosperous condition. The attendance is equal to that of last year, and the students are somewhat older and more earnest. Principal G. C. George has been asked to take up other educational work, and Prof. H. J. Sheldon, for years principal of Maplewood Academy and who last year finished the college course at Union College, has been asked to take the principalship of the academy this next year.

Maplewood Academy

This school, located about thirty miles west from Minneapolis, Minn., is enjoying the largest enrollment in its history. Many of its rooms are overcrowded, and the management has been obliged to refuse admission to several applicants, for lack of accommodations. Because of this crowded condition, Principal R. A. Hare and his faculty are taxed very heavily, but the prosperous condition of the school lends a natural enthusiasm and strength to their work.

It is an inspiration to visit these schools,—all of them in flourishing condition,—and meet such strong, purposeful classes of students. One cannot but feel that these sturdy, devoted young men and women will aid, in a vigorous manner, in the finishing of this great second advent movement, when they shall have completed their courses of study.

Sheyenne River Academy

This is the school of the North Dakota Conference, and is located at Harvey, N. Dak. Like the Maplewood Academy, it is in a very crowded condition. This school has been steadily growing, and for two or three years the accommodations have been sorely taxed. The conference has been contemplating increasing the provisions for dormitories and schoolrooms, but has delayed undertaking this because of financial obligations resting upon the school; but from the provision made at the meeting of the conference last June, it is hoped that these will soon be discharged, and the work of enlargement can then be undertaken. Prof. A. F. Schmidt, because of the heavy responsibilities as principal and business manager combined with full class work, broke down in health last year, and was obliged to be absent from the school for weeks. He has fully regained his health, and with his work readjusted is vigorously leading his faculty in their heavy duties.

One encouraging feature of this school is the growth of the Russian department. Starting four or five years ago with but five or six students, it has steadily grown until now it has thirty-one enrolled. As several Russian church schools are being started, from which this school will draw students, Prof. S. G. Burley, who is in charge of the department, is very enthusiastic regarding its future.

The Alberta Industrial Academy

This school, located at Lacombe, Alberta, was next visited. I also met here with the Western Canadian Union Conference Committee for its annual audit, and the transaction of other business incident to the work of the union. When one sees the large number of soldiers in the larger places and on the trains, it takes no stretch of imagination to recognize that Canada is engaged in war. These war conditions are felt in our work in this union in a marked way; but the courage of those leading in it seems to have inspired all connected with it, and the returns in practically all departments of the work show an increase rather than a decrease, as would naturally be expected.

While the Alberta Industrial Academy belongs to the Alberta Conference, yet it now is, and probably will remain, the training school for the union, and as a consequence the union committee takes a special interest in it. The enrollment at present is nearly one hundred and seventy. The school now carries twelve grades, and fourteen grades are contemplated as soon as conditions will warrant. The students who complete the work of this school and desire to pursue advanced work, naturally attend Walla Walla College.

The academy is located on a large farm, the buildings being situated on a high hill which commands a very beautiful view for miles in every direction. The school has at the present time over ninety head of horses and cattle, mostly young stock.

There is manifested in all these schools a determination to meet the standards of scholarship, and to provide themselves with libraries, laboratories, and those general facilities which have been outlined in the requirements of our general department of education, and by means of them, together with a strong, spiritual atmosphere, to be not only a means of saving their own members, but, through them, of bringing the good story of salvation to the honest-hearted of all lands.

As I write, I am on my way to Walla Walla College, where its board and the committee of the North Pacific Union will hold their meetings. After visiting this college, it is planned to visit the several schools of this union. Of these I hope to write later.

FREDERICK GRIGGS.