_Harvey (N. D.) Industrial School_
By C. S. Kendall
The second year’s work of the Harvey Industrial School began Oct. 18, 1905. School was opened with ten in attendance. Thirty-three was the highest number in the school at one time. The spring term began April 11, 1906, with fourteen in attendance. We have carried both English and German work during the fall and winter terms, but we are not carrying the German work this spring, there being no demand for it, as we have only one German student, and he is taking work in English. In this new country, where people are so busily engaged in their farming pursuits, we find it difficult to get a good attendance during the fall and spring terms. We hope and pray that our people may so see the importance of an education that they will plan and sacrifice to keep their young people in school the full school year. Although our faith has been tested at times, the Lord has given us encouragement all the way along during these two years. We have seen some students converted, but what has been most encouraging has been to observe the gradual change and growth in the lives of some of our students. I believe we should look to this rather than count too much on sudden conversions, for conversion is the work of a lifetime. I am impressed with the fact more than ever that education is largely a matter of growth. This statement from “Desire of Ages” comes to mind: “If you would train a rose, or a pink, or a lily, how would you do it? Ask the gardener by what process he makes every branch and leaf to flourish so beautifully, and to develop in symmetry and loveliness. He will tell you that it was by no rude touch; no violent effort, for this would only break the delicate stems. It was by little attentions often repeated. He moistened the soil, and protected the growing plants from the fierce blasts and the scorching sun, and God caused them to flourish and to blossom into loveliness.” So we as fathers and mothers and teachers in Israel are to train our children and youth to be as lovely flowers for God’s kingdom in finishing this work, and then to reflect through all eternity the loveliness of him who is21chief among ten thousand, the one altogether lovely. May the Lord help us to use the tact of the gardener in our work with the young. We as teachers can only say that as we have endeavored in our weakness to do the Lord’s work, our own souls have been watered, nourished, and strengthened. We praise the Lord for a humble part in his vineyard, and long for the day when, the last battle having been fought, the last victory won, Jesus will come to take us home.