Bethel Industrial Academy
By H. A. Washburn
This institution, which is an intermediate school preparatory to the Emmanuel Missionary College, began the fourth year of its work on September 3, with the most encouraging outlook of its history; and the fall term is approaching its conclusion with as good a prospect as when it began. The enrollment at the beginning of the term was eighty-five; it has increased to one hundred and thirty-seven, about fifty of the number being pupils of church-school grade. This enrollment is over one third more than that of any previous fall term, as our people in Wisconsin are beginning to learn what a blessing an intermediate school is in their borders. Twenty have written that they intend to come during the next month. The goodly number of students is not more noticeable than the superior intelligence and good spirit which we have found in our school this year. The success of the school is found to lie in its keeping within the proper bounds of an intermediate school, and for this reason practically all the work in classes is on the common, essential branches, with some industrial classes. The students from high schools have recognized their general weakness in some one or more branches of elementary work, and have taken the classes they most need. Daily classes have been conducted in agriculture, cooking, sewing, and carpentry. The carpentry class spend from two to four hours daily in actual work, and they have erected a fourteen-room cottage during the term, and will now begin the finishing of the building. All building and repairing has been done by teachers and pupils, without additional expense. The students are learning to appreciate industrial training, and have not warred against it as formerly. The Spirit of God has manifested his presence in a most precious way during the term, and the blessed fruits of his presence have been a daily inspiration. We have found a wonderful inspiration from the lives of our students, especially some who knew nothing of present truth before coming here. Our Bible classes have seemed richer and sweeter than ever before, and frequent testimony is borne by students to what the Lord is doing for them in the study of his Word. The same can be said of our students' meetings on Sabbath afternoon. Most of the youth coming from the churches make a profession of Christianity, and have their names on the church records, yet have no real Christian experience. These have become acquainted with the Saviour, and perhaps twenty-five who made no profession at the beginning of the term have begun the service of God. Several students not of our faith have been converted, and are having a precious experience. Their parents rejoice, and write excellent letters of appreciation of the school. It would be well if all our own people understood and appreciated our schools as do some of these who know nothing of the truth for this time. A missionary spirit has been general among the students. Letters from workers in various distant fields19have come to the school frequently, and they have resulted in awakening a deep interest in the work in regions beyond, as well as in those near by. In the students' daily prayer meeting they may be heard praying for those who are going out before them in opening the way into the distant fields to which they hope soon to go themselves. We feel impressed that this school is a blessing to the Wisconsin Conference, and only wish that similar schools, somewhat smaller, were sprinkled over every conference. Much wisdom is needed in the establishment of these schools, but the Lord has been giving experience in the work, so it need not be an experiment in any locality.