The Singapore Training School by K. M. Adams

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 13, 1916

The Singapore Training School

By K. M. Adams

THE object of our school is twofold: to educate workers for the gospel message, and to give the children of our church an education in harmony with our faith. It is the first-mentioned that has especial interest for the workers of the entire field.

We believe that this message can be far more speedily carried if the native young men and women who have the fear of God in their hearts, are taught the Bible, and methods of presenting its truths to others. It is for this purpose that our training school has been established.

Having so many languages to deal with makes the work of such a school exceedingly difficult. We have, however, made a small beginning, and hope that the Lord will bless our efforts, that they may accomplish their purpose.

At present the training work is confined to two languages, the principal ones used in the field. They are Malay and Chinese. We are glad to say that the work in both these departments is strong and progressive. We had some difficulty in procuring teachers for these departments, but when we asked God to find them, they were forthcoming.

Brother Rantoeng has charge of the Malay department. He had been in the Bible work in our denomination some time before connecting with the school, and has a good knowledge of the Scriptures. He has also an excellent command of the Malay language. He seems suited in every way for the work.

Several of the students of the Malay department are Battaks. We feel that the Lord has sent them here to prepare for the giving of the message in their needy land. We hope to get a European to take charge of the work, and we shall soon be able to send young men to aid in it. Others in the department are from Java and Sumatra.

The studies pursued are: Bible doctrines, language, composition, Bible history, geography, and arithmetic, and the giving of Bible readings. The great aim of the school is to make the work practical. In the Bible-reading class, the teacher gives the reading first, then each student must stand before the class and give the reading just as if he were before some inquirers. This helps him to gain experience. Then he is required to go out into the city and hold a Bible reading each week. In this way missionary work is done while he is acquiring experience.

Brother Rantoeng has charge of the Malay preaching service on Sabbaths. As fast as possible we shall work students into these exercises, in order that they may get experience in this line also.

The Chinese department is carried on in the same way. The students study the same subjects, and carry on similar work in the city.

All the students are selling literature. They go out almost every day for a few hours and dispose of tracts and papers. Their teachers have helped them, but we are glad that our field agent is here to instruct them. We hope that a canvassing

class for the students will be held soon.

The teacher of the Chinese department is Brother Low. He was a student in the Chinese school in Shanghai. He does his work satisfactorily, and understands the Chinese language well. We could not expect to have a better man for the place. Three young men to whom he gives Bible readings in his spare time, he expects will accept the truth. We are glad to see the teachers engaged in practical work at the same time that they are doing school work.

In the English department are taught all the branches that are to be found in the intermediate schools in America, that is, the first ten grades—English history, algebra, geometry, literature, Bible doctrines, Old and New Testament history, etc. The customs and studies are slightly different to conform to English methods. There are four teachers in this department. Brother Duckworth has the primary room. He has taken the government normal examination, and is now taking that work. He has been granted exemption from attending classes on the Sabbath. Sister Coombes has grades three and four. She is an excellent teacher. She has passed the government normal course and has had a long experience. Brother Fox has grades five and six. He is a normal graduate of the Cooranbong school. He does good, faithful work. I have grades seven, eight, and nine. There is not a large number in these classes, but the students are working faithfully to prepare themselves for the Master's service.

We have a live Junior Missionary Society in the school. Its meetings are held every Wednesday at chapel. Many papers and tracts are distributed, and Bible readings are given by the students. A collection averaging twenty-five cents is taken. This is good, considering that wages are much lower than in America. A literature band sends out papers twice a month. Once a month a devotional service is held, in which practically all the students take part.

Once a week the chapel period is devoted to singing. The pupils do very well. One period each week is devoted to committing scriptures to memory. This year the parts learned are: the books of the Bible, the twenty-third, twenty-fourth, and ninety-first psalms, the decalogue, the three angels' messages, the beatitudes, the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians, and the Lord's Prayer. This drill familiarizes the students with the Scriptures.

We have about three hundred and fifty books in the school library, and the number is increasing. There is a complete set of the Testimonies, and many other religious books. The students enjoy Sister White's writings, and their questions show that they have not merely skimmed the surface. We also subscribe for the more important of our periodicals. They are read by the students, and this helps them to be well-informed about the progress of the message.

I might say in this connection that the school board, after careful consideration, decided to give the Chinese and Malay students an opportunity to learn English. When one has learned English, he has access to all our books and papers, which do much to educate one in the truth. What kind of workers should we make if we could not read the Testimonies nor have access to our denominational papers? It is easier to teach them English and let them read than it is to translate the books into their own language, and then print them. Only one hour a day is spent in this study. The work is carried on in a special class, and as the students are mature, they learn quite fast. Already in three months they have covered a year and a half of work.

Our school home has been one of our chief problems, but the present plan has so far proved satisfactory. Most of the students in the home are supported by the mission. Before we accept them as students, we make careful inquiry as to their character. If satisfactory, they must sign an agreement to enter the work after their study is finished.

The plan we follow is this: We give each student three dollars a month to buy his food, and he prepares it himself. In this way he can save a little money for clothes and other things, and at the same time he is getting an education in living cheaply and in laying out money to the best advantage. Another good result is that there are no complaints about the food or cooking. In addition, all students work a little for the school every day. In this way it does not seem that the mission is actually giving money to the students. We provide them with room, cooking utensils, fuel, and kerosene for light. There are twenty-six in the home now, and the plan works admirably.

In the evening worship we have a little difficulty in languages, but one time the reading is in Malay and the prayer in Chinese, and the next night vice versa, so all can understand some part of the worship. At the Wednesday night prayer meeting every one of the students takes part. It is good to see them stand and praise God, even though one may not be able to understand what they say.

The school started with thirty-six this year. The enrolment is now seventy-eight, and we expect others before the end of the year. Five students have been baptized, and fourteen will be ready for baptism soon. Nineteen of the students have signed the contract to enter the work, and are supported by the mission. The rest of the students pay tuition. The charge is $1.70 a month. There are nine different nationalities in the school. School fees are paid twelve months in the year. We expect to have received $450 by the end of the year.

We praise God greatly for his blessing, and we ask him for his continued guidance. Pray for this mission school.

K. M. ADAMS.