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

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 12, 1911

The Opening of Our Schools

By H. R. S.

South Lancaster Academy

PROF. C. S. LONGACRE says: “We had a grand opening day this year. We have an increase in attendance over last year at this date. We have many more students in the home, which is an encouraging omen. Many others are sending word that they are coming in a few days.

“We were especially glad to have Elder A. G. Daniells with us on the opening day. His inspiring talk was greatly appreciated by all. We regretted very much that he could not remain longer.

“We had our plans so well laid and our work so organized that the examination, classification, and matriculation work was all accomplished in a single day. We were ready for class work by Friday, and we have been running without any need of change in our program so far.

“We had a most blessed revival on Friday night at the students’ meeting. The Holy Spirit made us a gracious visit. Many surrendered to Christ for the first time, and about eighty students came to the front seats to reconsecrate their lives to God and his service. At the Sabbath forenoon service nine students came to the front seats again to acknowledge their acceptance of the Saviour for the first time. God bore remarkable witness at the students’ social meeting and the consecration service which followed. The whole room seemed surcharged with the presence of the Holy Spirit. We are especially grateful for the assurance of God’s presence with us, which we pray may continue throughout the school year.

“Our courage is good. We are very solicitous for the prayers of God’s people that every student entrusted to our care may be brought to Christ this year, and may make the most of his opportunities and privileges while in school.”

Clinton German Seminary, Clinton, Mo.

In a letter from Prof. G. A. Grauer, he says: “I am glad to give you a good report of the opening of our school this year. Up to date we have nearly twice the number of students we had last year at this time, and still every train brings new arrivals. We shall soon have our first one hundred. This is a surprise to us, for we were afraid that the dry season would lessen the attendance of our school this year, but we have every reason to believe that it will be materially increased over that of last year. We are profoundly grateful for this.”

The Southern Training-School, Graysville, Tenn.

Prof. M. B. Van Kirk writes: “We were glad to have Elder Chas. Thompson, president of the Southern Union Conference, with us at our opening session, Wednesday, September 13, who gave a very encouraging and interesting talk to the students assembled. A goodly number of brethren and sisters from the village were also present.

“The enrolment in the training-school department was quite the same as the first day of the session last year, while that of the Intermediate and primary school was a little less.

“The students are showing an excellent spirit, and the prospect is encouraging. New students are arriving nearly every day, and we hope to have as many students as we matriculated last year, if not more.

“As a faculty, we desire the prayers of God’s people that this may be the best year of this institution.”

Eastern Colorado Academy

From Prof. E. G. Salisbury comes this report: “Our school opened September 3, with an enrolment of fifty in the academic and twenty-five in the church-school department. Inasmuch as our academy is situated in a farming district, and as most of our students come from farms, we expect our enrolment to be augmented from time to time until the first of November. It is a source of encouragement and satisfaction to the members of the faculty to see the class of students who have come to us for instruction. All seem interested in their work, and satisfied with the conditions as they find them in the school. The school shows evidence of good work in the past, and we hope, by the blessing of the Lord, to make the work highly successful and satisfactory.

“At our camp-meeting held at Denver, August 17-27, it was voted by the conference to erect a new cement dormitory. Work has already begun on this building. We hope to be able to occupy a part of it in about six weeks. We are now accommodating our young men and women in the old dormitory, which affords room for about forty students. Of course, with our enrolment, it is necessary to make room for some of our students in the homes of the members of the church. We are having fine weather, so the inconvenience is slight.

“Last year considerable expense was put upon our academy building, and we now have a chapel capable of seating one hundred persons. We have five recitation rooms, which at present are adequate for our needs.

“Our school is situated in the heart of the irrigated section of eastern Colorado, nine miles east of the foot-hills. We have an altitude of five thousand feet, and can look out upon the mountain range for fifty miles. Long’s Peak is in the distance, so we enjoy mountain scenery and at the same time have the convenience of the level country for our garden work and traveling. We are three miles from Loveland, and have our mail delivered to us daily by free rural delivery. The school has bought a carriage, which drives to Loveland twice a week for the accommodation of the students and faculty. Our teaching force consists of six well-trained teachers. We feel that there is a good year before us, and we are earnestly endeavoring to uphold the standard in our local conference.”

Cedar Lake Academy, Cedar Lake, Mich.

We are glad that the Cedar Lake Academy is recovering from the unfortunate fire of last school year, and was able to open on time, even though the building was not fully completed. Prof. Roscoe Garrett says: “The hearts of the teachers and patrons of Cedar Lake Academy were gladdened on the morning of September 13, when a goodly

number of young people assembled in the new academy building as students for the coming year. The enrolment on that morning was thirty-four; more have come since then, and others are coming later, among whom are canvassers who have books to deliver, and young people who must assist in fall harvesting at home.

“The dormitory has undergone many changes this summer, and the newly painted and papered rooms present a very inviting appearance. Although the furniture has not yet arrived, the students are very patient, and are cheerfully looking forward to the near future when all will be completed.

“The academy building is also unfinished. The assembly room was fitted up temporarily for school work, and the carpenter work is being hastened, so that in a few weeks more the building will be completed. New seats have been ordered, and will be placed as soon as they arrive; the primary department will then begin.

“The boys are being kept busy outside of school hours in the peach orchard, about the building, and harvesting the fall crops; while the girls find plenty to do in the domestic department, canning fruit, etc.

“With a strong, united faculty, and the number of sincere Christian young people who have arrived, Cedar Lake Academy bids fair to have a successful school year.” H. R. S.