Union College by H. U. Stevens

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Feb 16, 1911

Union College

By H. U. Stevens

It is with much satisfaction that we report the steady progress which Union College is making in everything which tends to the accomplishment of the purpose for which the school was established. Since the separation of the foreign schools, which took place last year, the college has started on a new era of growth and development, which we trust will enable the institution to accomplish in a fuller sense the high ideals for which it stands.

The Lord has been very near us this year, and has worked with us and for us in a marked way. The faculty meets for fifteen minutes each day, just before the chapel period, for a short prayer-meeting. At the same time the students gather in small groups in different rooms in the building for prayer, and for personal work for their fellows. Thus a united petition from both teachers and students ascends daily to the Source of all blessing; and the Lord has heard and answered.

The school has maintained regular Friday evening prayer and social meetings, in which all the school take part. Many good and helpful testimonies are given, showing battles fought and victories won,—a genuine growth in Christian experience. Opportunity is always offered for those who have not done so to take their first step in the Christian life; and we are glad to say that a number have availed themselves of this opportunity.

The week of prayer was a precious season with us. As a result of the revival effort put forth, over forty students and church-school pupils were baptized.

The foreign mission band numbers at present sixty-four, besides some who are not in school this year, but are still considered members, making a total of about ninety in all. The band is growing, and we expect to pass the one-hundred mark before the school closes. All the members have signed this declaration: “I am desirous and willing, if it be God’s will, of becoming a foreign missionary.”

The personal workers’ bands, which constitute the Missionary Volunteer society of College View, have been doing aggressive work, and the bands have been growing in numbers and in interest. Many kinds of work are carried on, among which the support of Elder J. C. Rogers in Nyasaland may be mentioned. The society has supported Elder Rogers ever since he went to Africa, and this has been the means of increasing the interest in missionary work, and of strengthening the spiritual life of the members. About $870 has been raised each year by the society for the purpose mentioned; but we hope to do still more than this in the future.

The intellectual work of the school is of a high grade, and the progress of the students in the various branches is excellent. The college has taken up the industrial work in an effective and permanent way, and much progress has been made. Plans are forming that will result in still further development.

We thank God for his protective and fostering care, which has attended all the work of the school this year.

H. U. STEVENS.

To this encouraging report I wish to add a few words from a letter which I have recently received from Miss Peck, regarding the work at College View during the week of prayer, and which have reference more particularly to the work for the younger students:—

“The week of prayer was such a blessing to us all, and the work of Professor Griggs was a great help to our children. Every day was one of genuine pastoral service. Several times I was obliged to dismiss classes, to give spiritual help to the children who sought me for it. At the close of the effort the Lord set his seal of approval on it by giving us twenty-eight children, who gave their hearts to God, and went forward in baptism. It was the richest experience I ever passed through, except at the time of my own conversion. I do praise the Lord that he lets me have a part in this grand work.”

H. R. S.