The Opening of Our Schools by H. R. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Nov 2, 1911

The Opening of Our Schools

By H. R. S.

RECENTLY I had the privilege of spending a Sabbath at the Adelphian Academy, located at Holly, Mich. It was my first visit to that school, and I greatly enjoyed the opportunity of meeting the teachers and students, and the brethren and sisters living near the academy who came in to the Sabbath services. I found the school prospering, as may be seen by the following report given me by Prof. C. L. Taylor:—

Adelphian Academy

“On September 20, just three days after the close of our camp-meeting, school opened. Sixty-two were in attendance the first day.

“Our growing enrolment from year to year has created a demand for more equipment and greater efficiency in each department. This year the commercial department has been considerably enlarged and strengthened. Three good new typewriters have been purchased, and the prospect is that another must be added soon. The commercial room is being supplied with everything necessary for a thorough training in business lines. Seventeen have already entered this department.

“Our crops are better this year than ever before. Nine acres of beans, nine of corn, five of potatoes, and an abundance of garden vegetables, together with about five hundred quarts of canned fruit, contribute to make up our winter’s store and salable products.

“The primary department, or church-school, which includes the first six grades, is doing excellent work. Sixteen are there being trained for the Master’s service.

“A new faculty, chosen from widely separated parts of the country—Michigan, Quebec, Massachusetts, New York, Virginia, and Wisconsin—has taken up the responsibilities this year. A spirit of application to duty, and of cooperation, prevails, and for this we are thankful. At this writing, three weeks after the opening, our enrolment has increased to seventy-nine.”

Lodi (Cal.) Normal Institute

Prof. I. C. Colcord reports: “At the close of the first week, the Lodi Normal has an attendance of 214, 108 in grades one to eight, and 106 in the academic department. It is gratifying to open with so goodly a number of bright, enthusiastic students. There is about an equal number of young men and young women taking academic work. Some strong, noble-looking young people are here with us this year. The average age is seventeen. A thrill of joy has gone throughout our constituency, and will extend to a wider circle as the good news spreads.

“A most excellent spirit has prevailed from the very start. Good fellowship exists. The teachers have taken up their work with commendable zeal, and are full of courage and cheer for their arduous duties. Some are almost overburdened with too many classes, the demands of the student body being so great. We shall be compelled to look for help,

without doubt, before the first month closes. Students are here from different States, to prepare for gospel labor. All our graduates of last year—twenty-three in number—are filling positions of trust and responsibility.

“While the normal idea is the main feature of our work, still we offer a few other strong courses of study, of which the students are availing themselves.

“We are living in a time when our young people should be mustering for service. The Lord of the harvest is calling for laborers.”

Williamsdale (Nova Scotia) Academy

Prof. J. L. Stansbury writes: “Our general meeting for the Maritime Conference was held at the academy from September 11 to 17, and three days afterward the school year began. The first day twenty-one presented themselves for enrolment. The next few days brought in several others, who, on account of temporary delays, were prevented from being present at the opening.

“The first month is not yet complete, but our enrolment (thirty-four) has passed that of last year, and there are still others who have notified us that they expect to attend. To my knowledge the prospects for a successful year in this academy have never been brighter. The faculty is stronger, and better prepared to do thorough, systematic work, than ever before. A spirit of harmony and cooperation exists among the members of the faculty, and, generally speaking, the students are studious.

“Personally, I feel much encouraged at the outlook. But I realize that to have true success, we must have the continual presence of the Holy Spirit. That is the power that strengthens and molds the mind, and enlarges the capabilities of the student. I know that God is working for the young people, and I ascribe all the praise to him for the hopeful prospect that we have before us.”

Claremont Union College, South Africa

An interesting letter has just come from Prof. C. P. Crager, principal of our school in South Africa. The work is onward there, and the brethren and sisters have confidence in that which is being done. “We have,” says Professor Crager, “the largest enrolment, in the home, at least, that we have had for many years, if not the largest we have ever had. Our home family numbers over sixty, and our total enrolment is one hundred. We are this year sending six young persons into service—all graduates of this school—besides a young man who is not a graduate, but who has taken special training for two years, and is now to enter the work in our mission in Basutoland. Three of the graduates will go to our missions, and three will teach, we retaining only one of them for our faculty. It is very encouraging to our brethren here to see their children, on finishing their training, find a place in the cause in Africa.”

Lornedale (Ontario) Academy

This cheering report comes from Prof. W. J. Blake, the principal of the Lornedale Academy:—

“Our school opens with twice as many in attendance as there were last year, and several others are coming. There are thirty-eight in the home. These fill the building to its fullest capacity, and still others desire to come.” This is the last year the school will be held at Lorne Park, as our brethren have sold that property, and have purchased a farm at Oshawa, Ontario. They are planning to put up a new building in the spring, more convenient and with greater capacity than the one which they now occupy.” H. R. S.