Summer Schools and Conventions
By Frederick Griggs
FROM the summer school at Portland I went to the one at College View, Neb., stopping en route at Walla Walla College, and Boulder, Colo. At Walla Walla I was pleased to meet an old fellow laborer, Brother C. M. Christiansen, with whom I worked for a number of years in Battle Creek College. He showed me through the buildings, and explained to me the particular features of the school. The buildings were undergoing changes in construction to accommodate the sanitarium which is to occupy the dormitory formerly occupied by the young men. I was pleased to have the privilege of visiting the Boulder Sanitarium, and to note its excellent patronage and the signs of prosperity in its work. It is most beautifully situated, and has every advantage in its location for a sanitarium. The summer school of College View was of about the same size as the ones at San Jose and Portland. There were from twenty to twenty-five teachers in attendance. This was under the charge of Mrs. C. C. Lewis, assisted by members of the Union College faculty. Every effort seems to have been put forth to make the instruction of a thorough and practical nature. There was a spirit of progress and courage which was very pleasing. I next visited the summer school at Stuart, Iowa. The attendance at this school was not so large as at College View, being only twelve or fifteen; but when it is considered that the Central Union Conference had three summer schools, the total makes a good showing of the teachers who received instruction for this next year's work. Prof. Floyd Bralliar, the principal of the Iowa Industrial Academy, had charge of this school. He was assisted by Miss Ellen Burrill and others. The school was located in the academy buildings. I was pleased to visit this school and to go over the farm. They are introducing quite a number of new ideas into their work in connection with the farm. We hope that these may be most successful, and that they may furnish many valuable suggestions for our other schools. My visits at both College View and Stuart were cut short in my endeavor to reach Berrien Springs before the close of their educational council. The session of the summer school, which was followed by an educational council, was shortened somewhat in order to permit those attending to be present on the camp-grounds. I did not get notice of this change in dates so as to arrange my plans to be present the length of time that I had intended. This was the largest summer school that was held in the country. There were from seventy-five to one hundred present in the school and at the council. I was pleased to meet with the brethren who had charge of the school, and to learn from them of its success. I also enjoyed my visit at the college. The president, Elder N. W. Kauble, took me over the farm and around the buildings, and enabled me to gain a good idea of the location of the school and of its opportunities for future work. There is an earnest desire on the part of the faculty of this school to have it occupy the important place which it should in this large union conference, where are more of our young people than in any other union conference in the country. We believe that there are good days ahead for this school. I was pleased to note the spirit of co-operation and unification which all the teachers at the summer schools, both those who were acting as instructors and those who were attending as students, appeared to have. It seemed to be recognized that for our church-schools to succeed there must be a policy of giving and taking,—giving to others every good idea that we work out, and receiving every helpful suggestion which others had worked out. If this spirit of helpfulness is manifested, it is certain that a solidifying and building up of our school work in all features will result. There are two crying needs which stand out very prominently; they are for good text-books and a proper means of support for our schools. These and other important questions were considered in every gathering of teachers that I attended, and many helpful suggestions were made. I am sure that the time is not far distant when we shall have a list of text-books which can be used by our teachers, and when our church-schools will be substantially supported, when our church-school teachers22will receive remuneration sufficient to enable them to pursue their studies so that they may become well educated for the important work which they have to do. Another question which received much consideration in every convention was that of discipline. In all our schools there should be most excellent order and a spirit of work. Order is heaven's first law, and no disorderly school is a Christian school. Thoroughness and advancement in every feature of the school work seemed to be the watchword in every one of our conventions. These summer school conventions are, it seems to me, an inestimable help to our school work. They ought to be held regularly, and much effort should be put forth to enable every teacher to attend. Nearly all the conferences where schools were held this summer assisted in a financial way. I trust that much good may result from my becoming acquainted with these teachers and their work. I believe that there is a decided advance being made along all lines of our school work, and that this advance has mingled with it enough conservatism to give it permanency.