p. 20 | The Opening of Our Schools by F. G.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 29, 1914

The Opening of Our Schools

By F. G.

The school year of 1914-15 has opened most auspiciously. The schools of all grades throughout the North American Division Conference have now begun their work, and the reports coming from them indicate a larger opening enrollment than that of last year. In many instances the boarding schools are already taxed to their dormitory limit. Reports have been received from the majority of the colleges and academies, but sufficient time has not yet elapsed since the opening of the church schools for anything like an accurate report of their enrollment to be received. However, we have received most encouraging general reports, indicating, in many instances, a large increase in the number of these schools. Several conferences have this year doubled the number of schools which they had last year, and other conferences where there is not such an increase in the number of schools, indicate a large increase in attendance.

The great forward movement which is taking possession of our people in this country most naturally expresses itself in our school attendance. As our people come to realize the shortness of time, and as our churches come to work unitedly for the salvation of souls, we shall see a deepening of interest for our children and young people.

We do not have space for even a word from all our schools, but a thought taken at random from the reports of a few of our older schools, in addition to the reports which have already appeared, will, we are certain, be of interest not only to our school workers, but to our people generally.

M. L. Andreasen, president of the Danish-Norwegian Seminary, Hutchinson, Minn.: “School opened September 23, with an attendance of 44, and it has been increasing, so that at the present time there are over 60. It now looks as if we shall have more students than we have room for. Everybody seems ready to do his part, so we are expecting to accomplish more this year than ever before.”

B. F. Machlan, principal of South Lancaster (Mass.) Academy: “It was quite a question with us as to what effect the European condition would have on our school, as many of our students come from the mill districts, and many of the mills are closed. However, they began to come in on Monday, much to my surprise, and this continued until Wednesday noon. Every chair and seat in the chapel is taken. We are very thankful, indeed, for the way the Lord has blessed us with students. Our teachers and students all seem to be of good courage, and we look for the best year we have ever seen at South Lancaster.”

J. H. Schilling, president of Clinton (Mo.) German Seminary: “Our school opened auspiciously, and everything goes along nicely. There is a good spirit in the school. One hundred and ten students have registered. While this is not a large number, yet it is larger than ever before at this time of year. The students seem to be well satisfied. A good spirit controls them, and we hope that by God’s grace the ending of our school may be just as pleasing as is its beginning.”

C. W. Irwin, president of Pacific Union College, St. Helena, Cal.: “We are pleased to tell you that the college has opened this year under very favorable conditions. We enrolled during the first week or ten days about sixty more students than during the corresponding time last year. We have enrolled about 245 students in the academic and collegiate departments, 80 of whom would be rated as college students, doing regular college work or taking such courses as ministerial, normal, or medical preparatory. Twelve students have presented their application for graduation from the college course this year. We have enrolled 171 students in the homes, 67 young ladies and 104 young men. This is about double the capacity of the young men’s dormitory. We are building a new dormitory, the first story of which will be used as a general store room.”

H. G. Lucas, principal of San Fernando (Cal.) Academy: “School opened September 16. We had with us that day Elder F. M. Burg, Prof. I. C. Colcord, and Prof. M. E. Cady. Each of these brethren spoke to the students for a few minutes. The school was organized the first morning, orders were taken for books, and an automobile was sent to Los Angeles to secure them. The students bought their books that evening, so that they could prepare lessons for the next day. This idea of having classes immediately at the opening of school gets the students here at the opening instead of the following week. Our total enrollment is about 120, taking every seat in chapel. We are starting a broom factory so as to give work to boys who need help with their expenses.”

O. J. Graf, president Emmanuel Missionary College, Berrien Springs, Mich.: “School opened with the largest number of students that we have ever had present at our opening. Seven years ago we opened with 40; this year with 180. There is also a larger per cent of advanced students than heretofore. We are especially glad that all our teachers of last year are with us for this year’s work, with the addition of two new teachers. On the opening day, after the usual preliminary exercises, before dismissing the students all the teachers met their classes for a few minutes to make assignments for the following day. This we consider quite an advantage; for by getting the students to work promptly, we overcome tendencies toward homesickness.”

H. T. Elliott, principal of Bethel (Wis.) Academy: “Our enrollment on the first day was 45, which is eleven more than the enrollment on the first day of the previous year. Of the 31 students in the academy homes, only 9 were students last year. The average outside of the academy homes is practically

the same. Our outlook is good for a larger attendance before the first term passes. I know of about a dozen who plan to enter this term.”

J. G. Lamson, principal of Cedar Lake (Mich.) Academy: “Our school opened the ninth, with a total enrollment upstairs of 50, and 32 in the first seven grades. The places of those who have become discouraged and dropped out have been more than filled by others coming in, so that we have a total enrollment in the academy of 60, with an actual membership of 55, and 36 actually present in the church school, making a total of 91.”

C. L. Taylor, principal of Campion Academy, Loveland, Colo.: “We opened school with an enrollment of 60 the first day, September 2. At this writing (October 11) our enrollment is 102.”

T. W. Steen, principal of Adelphian Academy, Holly, Mich.: “Although our enrollment last year was higher than any previous year, I am glad to be able to state that we started school on the eighth instant this year with six more than on the corresponding day last year. Since that time several others have entered, and our enrollment today is 74. We followed a little different plan this year, and enrolled our students and classified them as fast as they came to the school. In this way we had 60 students fully enrolled and classified when the first session of the school was called Tuesday morning. Thus, instead of wasting a day or so adjusting the program, we proceeded immediately to assign the lessons, and held our first study period that night. As a result of this plan and some other improvements that we have made in our methods of handling the details of school work, we have avoided almost entirely any delay in the starting of the school work, and have not been troubled with any cases of homesickness.”

I recently visited our schools in Graysville and Huntsville. The schools had opened with an excellent attendance, there was a courageous spirit, and growth and progress were evident. I also attended the annual conference of the self-supporting school workers at Madison, Tenn. I found these school workers filled with zeal and earnestness in their work. The educational work in the Southern and Southeastern Unions seems to have a very bright future before it.

These reports represent very generally the good enrollment and excellent spirit found in the opening of all our schools. Let all who love this message unite more vigorously than ever in educating our children and youth in the way of truth and in the spirit of service. F. G.