p. 233 | Untitled article by S. Brownsberger

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 10, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 15.

From the College.

By S. Brownsberger

THE short vacation near the midst of the spring term is at hand. It begins Friday, April 4. School work will be resumed on Monday, April 14, and will continue seven weeks to May 29 inclusive.

During the short vacation many of the students will leave their school work to enter their field of labor for the summer. Our family at the “Students’ Home” will be reduced to about forty members unless others, not now in attendance, will come to fill the vacancies.

Twenty or more of our students will labor during the coming summer in some capacity to advance the cause of God. The majority of these go out for the

first time thus to labor for the people. Those of this number that have had experience in such labor, feel better prepared to do service for the Master for having attended the school.

We are all gratified at the good results of this year's work in behalf of those who have consecrated themselves to the service of God. Indeed, all has been done for them that could possibly be done to adapt the instruction to meet their necessities at the present stage of their experience. Eld. E. J. Waggoner has proved himself an efficient instructor in Bible study. His work in this department has been thorough and faithful, and all the students appreciate his untiring efforts in their behalf. The instruction in canvassing and tract and missionary methods of labor have been conducted principally by Eld. W. C. White. This instruction has been of vital importance to all of these students, especially to such as have had but little or no experience in such work. Sister E. G. White has also bestowed some labor upon this class to prepare them for their work.

All of these faithful instructors who have been anxiously laboring for these young people are earnestly praying that the rich blessing of Christ may attend them as they go forth to meet new experiences, trials, and discouragements.

The family at the “Students’ Home” is a happy family indeed, and tears of regret fall freely as many of our brothers and sisters say farewell, perhaps, some of them, never to greet each other again until we meet where “partings shall be no more.” Our associations here at this “Home” have been highly profitable in many ways. The influence is refining upon all, but more particularly is it manifest in softening those of coarser manners. It is refining, because a high moral and religious sentiment predominates among the members of the household. That it is operative in making everything more Christian is evinced by the fact that not one thus far has long been connected with the family without making efforts to be a Christian.

The gentlemen part of the family has had a varied experience in the different kinds of employment indoors and out. Some of them have proved that they can be very capable “domestics” by making themselves almost indispensable in the kitchen, dining-room, and laundry. All of them have had a valuable experience in landscape gardening and planting, which they will no doubt carry with them, and manifest in beautifying their own home grounds. All have had a “hand” also in painting, whitewashing, picket-fence building, and carpentering.

A printing press and printer's outfit have been lately received, and a few who have this employment in prospect have commenced to set type, and work the press. The College grounds made so beautiful by the efforts of these young men will stand as a pleasing memorial of their faithful and cheerful labors, to the end of time.

The lady students are having the best kind of practical experience in all kinds of housework. They have had a rare chance to learn the art of cooking. Under the faithful instruction of Sister Mary Clement, no doubt one of the best practical cooks in the State, and of long experience as head cook in the large Sanitarium at Battle Creek, Mich., they cannot fail to become accomplished in this most essential and honorable of all arts. They all enjoy this part of the work exceedingly. No wry or sour looks distort the faces of any in the various departments, but all are of a happy, cheerful countenance. A class of seventeen ladies have been receiving instruction in the art of dress cutting and fitting, during this term, under the able instruction of N. C. McClure and wife, who are the inventors of the method employed in this branch. The method is called “McClure's Tailoring and Square Rule.” It is thoroughly practical, as all who have used it attest. The garment is cut by the carpenter's measurement, giving a perfect fit without alteration. It is not the design to instruct our pupils in fashionable dressmaking, but to teach these young ladies to do first-class work in fitting by measurement. Of course there is no extra charge for this instruction to those living in the student family.

I have labored for several years with young men and women in school capacity, but never, before the present plan of uniting the practical manual employments for both sexes with the study of the usual school branches was entered upon, have I experienced such a degree of satisfaction in my efforts to secure to them the greatest good possible. Thus far it has proved a grand success at Healdsburg College, and it has but just commenced to manifest its desirable results. We believe it is the plan, for it recommends itself to the reason and good sense of every practical, thinking person, and this recommendation has been greatly strengthened by a fair practical test.

May the Lord bless the schools established on the principle of “the greatest good in every respect to all.” And may he raise up more faithful men and women to support them with their means and influence.