p. 26 | Bethel (Wis.) Academy by A. W. Spaulding

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Nov 7, 1907

Bethel (Wis.) Academy

By A. W. Spaulding

The fall term of Bethel Academy opened September 25. The fall is the third term of our school year, which begins in the spring, in order to correspond with the natural year. We are, therefore, finishing rather than beginning our school year.

This term's work starts off with good spirit. Our students, with almost no exception, take hold of the problems of the school with energy. Books, a necessary supplement to work and social life in the scheme of education, are given attention the larger part of the forenoon; and the work of the farm, the building, and the Home, is wrestled with in the afternoon by every member of the school.

Our farm is a better text-book this year than ever before, we believe. By the efforts of the students and teachers, marked improvements have been made in the general farm, in clearing land, removing stumps, and bringing the whole under better cultivation. Our large new barn has a well-planned and well-equipped dairy, and we are looking now more particularly at the problem of improving our herd.

Although still crippled by the results of the fire, having to hold our school sessions in the church, we are cheerful at the prospect of having our girls' new Home ready for occupancy in a few days, when we shall use the temporary dormitory for class rooms. The spirit of self-sacrifice and energy in this part of God's work is the greatest part of the right education students can receive; for that spirit, kept and enlarged, is the secret of success in the more distant mission field. We rejoice to see the development of character in some of the strong young men and women who have been with us, and the birth in others of the same principles and ideals.

Our literary work is strong, and we know that God is blessing us in the spiritual work. We are planning immediate every-day evangelistic service for some of our more mature students, and expect greater developments in this direction. Though we are near no large town, there are many souls about us to whom light must be given; and by faithfulness in every phase of the work, we wish to fulfil God's design, that “through the excellence of the work done in our educational institutions the attention of the people is to be called to the last great effort to save the perishing.”

Our enrolment at the date of writing is one hundred ten,— seventy-four in the academic department, and thirty-six in the primary. Our school Homes are full, there being twenty in the girls' Home, and twenty-three in the boys'. We aim to make these real homes, and must limit the attendance in order that they may not be shorn of the chief value of the home,—the personal supervision and companionship of the teachers, who are to act as parents. We are of good courage in helping finish God's work.

A. W. Spaulding.