Washington Missionary College by Lora E. Clement

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 17, 1915

Washington Missionary College

By Lora E. Clement

THE Washington Missionary College has just closed its first school year — a most successful term from the standpoint of both teachers and students. The total enrollment was two hundred and eleven. The majority of these young people have an earnest desire to gain a preparation for more efficient service in the Master's vineyard, and a large number of them are spending the summer in canvassing and other lines of gospel work, planning to continue their study next fall.

An excellent Christian spirit has pervaded the school. During the week of prayer, observed in many of our colleges about the first of May, the Lord came especially near to the young people in Washington, and with few exceptions, every unconverted member of the student body made a start in the Christian life.

One item of special interest is the effort made to liquidate the College debt. This movement originated with the literature class. On their own initiative, unknown to the faculty, they interviewed all the students to learn how many would like to assist in this enterprise during the summer. At one of the last chapel exercises the subject was introduced, and one student after another arose and told what he was willing to do for the school that had done so much for him. Many pledged the proceeds of one week in the canvassing field; some pledged cash; others pledged a certain amount per week during vacation. Then one teacher after another caught the spirit, and promised to give one week's salary toward the payment of this debt. It is hard to determine just how much will be raised in this way, but the loyalty which prompted the effort means much for the College.

Exceptional opportunities have been enjoyed by the members of some of the English classes in practical experience in editorial work. The advanced rhetoric class furnished copy and edited a number of the Signs of the Times weekly, while the journalism students did all the office work on the College number of the Youth's Instructor.

With a view to equipping its students for practical as well as intellectual duties at home and abroad, Washington Missionary College offers an excellent industrial training along various lines. Just before the close of school this department gave a very creditable exhibit of work done in sewing, carpentry, domestic science, dentistry, and printing.

The general public and the student body are indebted to Prof. C. Hamer and his music students for two delightful evenings, as they closed a profitable year's work with the rendering of the beautiful cantata "Ruth, the Moabitess," and a piano recital. The accompanying College song, written by the music director, has been much appreciated by the students, and is sent out with the hope that others may be thereby inspired to come and learn to love "Our Washington."

The exercises of commencement week began with the baccalaureate sermon,

given by President J. L. Shaw on Sabbath, May 22. The graduating exercises proper were held in the Takoma Park church. Prof. B. G. Wilkinson gave the commencement address, and diplomas were presented by Elder W. T. Knox.

There were five graduates from the college course, receiving the degree Bachelor of Arts: Mr. Richard Farley enters the ministry in Virginia; Mr. Roland Loasby answers a call to South America; Mr. Irving Steinel takes up work in the District of Columbia Conference; Mr. Josef W. Hall is under appointment for China, and Miss Ella A. Iden goes to New Jersey to take charge of the Missionary Volunteer, educational, and Sabbath school work.

Those finishing the medical evangelistic course were Misses Lily McCully,

Edith Frye, Amelia Sauerwein, Helen V. Price, Hazel Stout, Ethelwyn Hibbard, and Lillian Peterson. Some of these nurses have taken up work in the Washington Dispensary, and others will enter the Bible work or sanitarium work.

Misses Lenoa Huguley, Sarah Harkins, Lorraine Fankhouser, Sadie Detwiler, Maria Jiron, Mary Herr, Earnestine

Woolgar, and Mr. Albion Keihnhoff completed the academic course. Most of these young people are planning to return to the College next year and continue their school work.

A summer school will be held in Washington July 1 to August 11. Church-school teachers will be in attendance from the Columbia and Atlantic Union Conferences. During this time a ten-day Educational and Missionary Volunteer Convention will be held in behalf of the young people in the Washington College district.

Professor Shaw tells us that prospects are bright for a large attendance with the opening of the next school year. The majority of the old students will return, and a large number of new applicants have already written for admission.

Ours is an age of specialization. The work of the world demands a trained mind, a keen eye, a skillful, steady hand. And is this standard too high for God's service? In the words of Peter the Great, "we must educate, educate, educate," if we would give the closing message for this day and generation in a manner pleasing to our King. There is a world-wide call for young people with a consecrated education, who are willing to say, "Anywhere, any time, anything for the Son of God and the sons of men."

Lora E. Clement.