p. 21 | Christian Education by F. G.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 12, 1905

Christian Education

By F. G.

Conducted by the Department of Education of the General Conference. FREDERICK GRIGGS, Chairman, C. C. LEWIS, Secretary.

Our Summer Schools and Conventions

In accordance with the action of the General Conference Committee, I spent a number of weeks this past summer in visiting our schools and teachers in their conventions. It may be of interest to our educational workers and those connected with our schools for me to speak concerning my visit to these schools.

I first went to the Southern Union Conference, visiting the summer school at Graysville, Tenn. Prof. P. T. Magan and Miss M. Bessie DeGraw, together with other teachers of the regular staff of the Southern Training-school, were instructors in this summer school.

I was much pleased with the work which I saw done here, as I was with all the schools and conventions which I visited. The work in the church-schools throughout the Southern Union Conference will certainly be advanced by the good instruction and the helpful spirit which was manifested throughout the summer school.

I had never visited the Southern Training-school, and was much interested in looking over its property. It has need of help in various lines. This has been spoken of in recent articles in the REVIEW and Watchman by Professor Tenney and Elder Butler. Our people who have not read these articles should look them up and read them.

From Graysville I visited the Oakwood Manual Training-school at Huntsville, Ala. The regular work of this school was being carried on. I visited this school about two years ago. I was much pleased to note the advancement made since then in so many ways in the school. The buildings, fences, and general appearance of the grounds are much improved. The crops on the farm were looking good. The ladies' dormitory was being repaired and put in good condition for occupancy.

Here, as with the Graysville school, there is need of much assistance in order to make the school what it ought to be for the great work which it has to do. The time when these schools in this Southern field can carry forward their work is limited, and every effort should be made to put them on the very best vantage-ground for the important work which they are to do in the closing work of the message.

From Huntsville I went to the Southern publishing house, at Nashville. Here I had a very pleasant visit with Elder Butler and others, managers and workers in the institution.

From there I went to Madison, which is near Nashville, to see the new school established by Brethren Sutherland and Magan. The description of their school property given by Mrs. N. H. Druillard in the REVIEW of April 6 is, I think, quite a fair representation of the property which they have for their school. It seems to me that in the plans which these brethren have for advancing the educational work among the poor whites, they will be quite well equipped for this important work.

Leaving Madison, I next went to Lees Summit, Mo. Here I met a company of very earnest teachers. The work was in charge of Brother B. E. Huffman, the educational secretary of the Central Union Conference. There were associated with him as instructors, Miss Fannie M. Dickerson, editor of The Youth's Instructor, and others who are connected with the educational work in the Missouri and Kansas Conferences.

This convention was held in connection with a tent effort conducted under the charge of Elder R. C. Porter. The teachers assisted in every way possible in the carrying forward of the tent effort. This was a good experience, an education in itself; for our teachers should, first of all, be missionaries, and to work in connection with an effort of this kind would naturally be of much help.

On my way to the conferences being held on the Pacific Coast, I went to Keene, Tex., and visited our academy there. The principal, Prof. C. B. Hughes, was at home, and I had every opportunity given me to become acquainted with the location and work of the school.

A meeting of the school board was held, and several important matters pertaining to the interests of the school were considered. One very encouraging feature regarding the work of this institution is the removal of its indebtedness. It is certainly gratifying to become acquainted with the workings of one of our schools that is not in debt. The same effort which has been put forth to pay debts, may now be put forth to increase the efficiency and working power of the school. We long for the time when this may be true of all our schools of all grades, for then it would seem that the truth which is taught in these schools might have, if possible, greater effect upon the lives of those who are taught.

F. G.