Healdsburg (Cal.) College
By W. E. HOWELL
ANOTHER school year has just closed. Viewed from the standpoint of results achieved, it can not be pronounced other than a successful one. The attendance was not large, but the work done was earnest and thorough. The steady intellectual and spiritual growth of the students throughout the year was very gratifying and encouraging. Young men and young women left school at its close impressed with the thought that life is real, life is earnest, and that if they are to be successful workers for the Lord, they must be sober, be vigilant, lest they be taken unawares by a wily adversary. The object of Healdsburg College is to build character and to train for service, the former being a logical prerequisite to the latter. Among the lessons in character building that need to be learned by the young, are obedience, loyalty to principle, faithfulness to trust, conscientious thoroughness in the performance of duty, punctuality, regularity, respect toward age and authority, personal refinement, courtesy to all. Without these qualifications no worker for the Lord can be the most highly successful. Opportunities for the inculcation of these principles during the school year, were many. This was especially so in the students' home. Here it is that the student makes his most rapid and substantial progress. Duties which at first are irksome to him, and which are carelessly done by him, he learns to perform punctually, thoroughly, and in the sweetest of temper. Regulations which19at first seem to place undue restrictions upon his personal rights and liberties, he comes to regard as necessary and helpful, and gives hearty and cheerful compliance. Privileges which he has been accustomed to enjoy in his own home or community, he finds to be detrimental to the highest realization of his purpose in coming to school, and he therefore very complacently denies himself the same. He learns how to take proper care of his person, his room, and all his belongings, to give attention to the welfare of others; but above all, the student in the Home stores, in his mind, and learns to apply in his practise, personal piety and devotion to principle. In the actual attainment of these very desirable experiences, the past year's record in the Healdsburg College home has been the most satisfying, to those in charge, of eleven years' work in connection with school homes. In many cases, the battles fought and the victories gained in the individual experience of students will not have to be repeated, but will prove to be a strength in the more serious conflicts that life will bring to them. Many indications of progress along right lines by resident students also, were in evidence. Advancement in spiritual life, application to study, and sobriety of deportment, are some of the attainments noticeable among them, particularly during the latter part of the year. Speaking more concretely, eleven students were baptized during the last month of the term, eight in the Home and three in the town. Some of these had had serious experiences in matters of discipline earlier in the year, but gained noble and decisive victories. To the Lord be all the praise and honor! In the training phase of the college life, students and teachers did effective work in the special campaign with the Signs and “Christ's Object Lessons,” in securing signatures to the petition against religious legislation at Washington, in raising funds to purchase a tent for Elder Armstrong in Ceylon, in obtaining money for worthy students (one a Korean brother, who was baptized), in selling charts and books, and in distributing self-denial boxes for the work in the South, in distributing tracts on Sabbath afternoon, and in preparing substantial weekly programs in the Young People's Society. This work helped to prepare the way for a good canvassing class during the last four weeks of the year. Brother Covell conducted this class with very gratifying results. His work was of that solid, practical character that we have tried to give to all the work of the school throughout the year. It was one of the best efforts that could have been made to bind off the work of the term. Students gave themselves for the first time to the Lord's work, and rejoiced in their preparation for it, some who were recently baptized being among the number. Near the close of the work, Brother Covell required each member of his class to make eight actual canvasses here in Healdsburg. Although the territory was difficult, the students, almost without exception, each sold from one to seven books. A righteous enthusiasm permeated this work. The spirit of service seemed to take possession of the heart, and by far the most pleasing sight of the whole school year was to see at its close these dear young men and women buckle on the canvasser's harness and scatter to all points of the compass to spread this last great message by means of the printed page. May heavenly messengers accompany them on their way. As we reflect upon the arduous work of the past year, our greatest comfort and most consolation are found in having seen souls born into the kingdom, and in having seen strong, vigorous youth enter God's precious work. This is our reward. This is our compensation. This is our joy and rejoicing forevermore.