p. 16 | Washington Missionary College by J. L. Shaw

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 29, 1916

Washington Missionary College

By J. L. Shaw

The second year of the College since its reorganization, came to an end May 22. An earnest spirit prevailed throughout the year. The enrolment numbered 276, sixty-three more than the previous year. Of these, 151 were classified as academic and 125 as college students. Twenty-one were graduated from the College course, four from the medical evangelistic, and seven from the academic. Twenty-seven students were definitely appointed to mission fields, and all will soon be on their way. Twelve answered the call to China; others go to Japan, India, Malaysia, South America, and other fields. The last Friday evening a farewell service was held to bid Godspeed to those going to foreign fields. It was inspiring to see so many young men and women on the platform, saying farewell to their school associates, expressing their confidence in God, their appreciation of the opportunities of the College, and their willingness and desire to answer the call to the regions beyond.

Owing to the need of more room in practically all departments of the College, plans have been set in operation to raise funds for the enlargement of the institution. The Columbia Union Conference has undertaken to raise $25,000; the Atlantic, $12,500; and the Southern and Southeastern Unions, $2,250 each. Elder G. F. Enoch is giving his efforts at the present time to raising funds in the Columbia Union Conference, and about $20,000 has already been pledged. The plans include the building of an assembly hall for chapel, with classrooms connected; the enlarging of at least one of the present dormitories; and the development of such industries as may seem advisable. The erection of

no buildings will be undertaken until money is well in hand, and indebtedness will be neither expected nor permitted. With these improvements added, the school will stand at still greater advantage as a college and a place of training of workers for home and foreign fields.

Some improvements have been made during the past two years: $1,500 has been spent in equipment for the science department, and $2,500 in building and tools for teaching woodwork; the dining hall has been altered; several hundred dollars’ worth of furniture has been purchased; 1,000 volumes have been added to the library; nearly $1,000 has been added in equipment of printing office; and an automobile and two pianos have been purchased. Aside from these and other improvements and a considerable number of repairs, the debt of the College has been reduced during the two years to the amount of $20,000, $10,000 of which came from the surplus of the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund of the Columbia Union Conference, and the rest from the receipts of the school.

The training of evangelistic workers have has been emphasized. The continuous and insistent calls, both from the growing work in our Eastern cities and in the mission fields, for well-trained evangelists and Bible workers, has caused the College to make prominent this line of education. An experienced minister has given his time the past year to training young men for the ministry. In addition to class work, practical field work has been done. An effort was conducted in Washington, and several accepted the truth. A lady Bible worker has also given her time to training young women for Bible work. During the latter part of the year the Bible workers’ class has given from twenty to thirty Bible readings a week.

It would be unfair not to mention the spiritual benefits and activities of the College, though we are unable to express them in figures. A spiritual atmosphere has pervaded the school, many young people have dedicated their lives to God. A large number of Bible readings have been given. Many books and papers have been sold in Washington and its suburbs. Hall meetings have been held, and some have embraced the truth.

The spring week of prayer was an occasion of deep spiritual uplift. A general turning to the Lord of both teachers and students was manifest. While no sensational evidences were present, what was much better, a determined move to put away sin and stand for right and principle was present. For this and many other mercies we feel deeply grateful. Though failures and mistakes have been made, yet notwithstanding all, a step forward has been made, and the outlook for the school was never more encouraging.

The writer withdraws from the institution, thankful for the large number of young people who have pressed into the school to get a better preparation for the Master’s service, for the inspiration their lives have been, and for those who have gone from the College halls to fields of service at home and abroad. May God abundantly bless the board and faculty and students of the Washington Missionary College. J. L. SHAW.