First Graduation at Bethel Girls' School, Canton, China
By Ida E. Thompson
TUESDAY afternoon, January 10, the boys and girls and friends of the school gathered in the chapel, and listened to the first baccalaureate sermon preached in connection with our school work in China. Dr. Lau made a very happy combination of Scripture texts, and spoke with freedom. The regular graduation exercises were held Wednesday afternoon. Our first class consisted of two young ladies, both of whom are to teach in our schools next year. Our educational secretary of China, Elder B. L. Anderson, was present, and spoke to the class and audience, his remarks being interpreted. He said that when he first read the motto chosen by the class, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength,” he thought it a bit strange, and unlike any he had ever heard; but upon reflection, considering the name of the school, Bethel, and that it was here that these two graduates had found “the gate of heaven,” it seemed indeed most fitting. About three hundred persons were present. You who are in America, where you can so readily turn to teachers who have come from Christian homes, and who are able to teach, can not appreciate what this day meant to us, who have watched, waited, and worked seven long years to see this, our first class, fitted in a very limited way to teach others. It means a truer consecration to this work, and a constant fresh experience in the things of God, so that in fact these students shall go forth with their chosen motto so exemplified in their lives that their efforts may truly become the “gate of heaven” to many in China.