A Lesson in Finance

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 9, 1908

A Lesson in Finance

THE balance sheet of the Avondale School for Christian Workers, located at Cooranbong, N. S. W., Australia, shows that the school gained £887 14s. 2d., or approximately forty-four hundred dollars over its expenses during the last year. The school owes £1884 4s. 2d., and has owing to it £1888 11s. 8½d., so that it is practically out of debt. It pays interest on only £500 of its indebtedness, and it is confidently expected that this interest-bearing indebtedness will be removed this coming year. We all greatly rejoice in the material prosperity of this school, situated in this important field. It is to be noted that this prosperity is due to a great extent to heeding carefully the instruction of the spirit of prophecy in the matter of establishing and maintaining industries. The enrolment this past year has been something above two hundred, and during this time there has been paid the students for labor in the various industries over fifteen thousand dollars. It is well known that this school is situated in a semitropical country, that the land can be worked during nearly the whole year, and that it does not have to meet the heavy expenses incident to rigorous winters, as do many of our schools. Nevertheless this is a most commendable showing of business management, and witnesses well to the value of industries as a financial aid. It will pay our schools to heed most closely the counsel which the Lord has given concerning the importance

and benefits of industrial education. The managers of each school need to study most carefully the possibilities of various industries. One school may succeed admirably in certain industries which would be a failure in other localities, owing to local conditions. If we study and learn, see our errors, and profit wisely by them, we shall succeed.