p. 29 | Sheyenne River Academy by N. W. LAWRENCE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 4, 1909

Sheyenne River Academy

By N. W. LAWRENCE

We have enjoyed our work here from the first, and have taken real comfort in seeing the little school rise to a place where it is sending out some stable young people into the work of the Lord. This has been a year of special blessing. It is the unanimous testimony of the entire faculty that this has been the most precious school year of our experience, ranging from one to twenty years. Such a spirit of prayer and consecration as is resulting in the conversion of whole families through the efforts of the students, is not the usual school experience. An unconverted young man came to us late in the fall. About six weeks later I baptized him in the frozen river. His heart went out to his brother and parents at home, and by prayer on his part and that of the entire school, seeming miracles have been wrought. His brother made him a visit about the holidays, and before returning home was convinced of the truth, and kept the next Sabbath. Since then his mother has written that she is keeping the Sabbath, and now the news comes that the father, who all thought was wholly given to the world and especially to money-making, is diligently studying the truth. The young man, with about fifteen more, is planning to canvass next summer.

Others are having similar experiences, and those who have held out against the Spirit of the Lord for two and three years have at last yielded, and now take their places along with the rest in the Bible classes and in the canvassing classes. It is wonderful. I have never seen anything like it; there is no excite ment or unusual effort on our part; we are simply watch and pray. Just last week, one of our boys received a letter containing five dollars for railroad fare, written by his former employer, with whom he has been in correspondence, urging him to come to him at the earliest possible date to talk with him about the truth.

I could write much more along this line, but will mention only one more incident. A young man of the German nationality, who could not speak a word of English, came here in the early winter. He had known something of the truth at home, but had resisted it for some time. During the week of prayer, he could hold in no longer; he asked for baptism. I delayed a few days for various reasons, and he sent word again that he wanted to be baptized as soon as possible. A few days later I called a meeting for those desiring to consider baptism, when he, with a few others, was present. We found him thoroughly prepared; and though a blizzard was on, and the ice on the river was two feet thick, he did not want to delay, but asked to be baptized at once. That was the opening day of our annual conference, and some of the brethren suggested that we were taking a pretty big risk; but I said we were taking a bigger risk in refusing to comply with that young man's request; and I was willing to go with him into that icy grave and do the part of the messenger of God in the matter. About thirty went out to the river in the storm to witness the ceremony, and none regretted the experience. I learned afterward that he felt he had delayed so long something might happen to hinder its ever being accomplished, and that he would leave nothing undone to show his willingness to follow the Saviour. His Christian experience is proving genuine, and he is happy in the Lord.

Now every member of our school has acknowledged the Saviour, and all plan to unite with the church at the first opportunity. The good spirit of the school has been the remark of all visitors, and we feel like using the words of the early disciples, 'Come and see.'

N. W. LAWRENCE.