The Opening of Our Schools by W. E. Howell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 5, 1916

The Opening of Our Schools

By W. E. Howell

THESE are stirring times in our schools. Not hundreds but thousands of our children and youth are gathering at our educational centers for the opening of a new year. Brief word has been received from all our colleges and one or two other schools. It is of the most encouraging nature. Here is the gist of it, the figures representing the enrolment during the first week in the academic and college grades:—

Pacific Union College, the first to open with 240, considerably above any previous record.

Walla Walla College, with 204, which is 25 more than a year ago. It was necessary to organize a separate college Sabbath school, as the church would not hold all.

Union College, with an enrolment larger than last year, last year’s being quite an increase over previous years. “A large number of earnest young men and women,” says the president.

Emmanuel Missionary College, with 233, as compared with 209 last year. “A very fine company of young people,” writes the president, “earnest, devoted, and quite mature.” The first Friday evening testimonies “rang clear with a determination to adopt the motto of the school to make ‘First Things First.’”

Washington Missionary College, with 207, about the same as last year, with every prospect of a rapid increase. The young men express eagerness to start work on the new college building to relieve the congestion. Some of them had to stand during the opening exercises.

South Lancaster Academy, with 255, the largest enrolment in its history and the largest next to Union College this year. Below the ninth grade are 71 more. Every ninth-grade class is held in two divisions, the New Testament history numbering 100, and the most advanced history 20. “The young people,” says the principal, “are of a fine type, the faculty is of good courage, and we are all hopeful of a year filled with blessings.”

Eastern Canadian Missionary Seminary, with 43, and students still coming in. This school is now carrying fourteen grades, and serving as the training school for the Union.

Graysville Academy, with a total enrolment of 70 at the end of nine days. As the Southern Junior College has been moved to its new location at Ooltewah, near Chattanooga, the original name of the local school of ten grades has been revived. The principal writes, “Our school is running nicely so far, and I really think we shall have a good, strong school.”

As the school graduates of last year have been so fully assigned to important work in the mission fields and at home, it is truly gratifying to see these institutions open so well for another year’s work in the developing of workers. There is every evidence that the coming school year will be the best in our educational history.

W. E. HOWELL.