Washington Training College—Important Announcement
By J. W. Lawhead
IT will be a matter of deep interest to the many friends of this institution to know of the work which the Washington Training College is doing, the degree of prosperity attending it, and the plans that are laid for the future. Some weeks ago a report was given through the columns of the REVIEW relative to the work of last year; and now that plans for the coming year are well matured, it is possible to state some of them at this time. It will be remembered that a decision was reached in our last General Conference to have our schools offer the full sixteen years of study leading up to and completing the college course; and as this school was established primarily for the more mature and advanced students, it was thought advisable to offer the four years of the regular collegiate work, and this is outlined in the Announcement, copies of which have been sent to our workers and other interested persons in all parts of the country. But while advanced work will be offered, it is also the purpose to carry classes in preparatory courses, so as to accommodate any who are not able to enter regularly upon the collegiate courses. In fact, it will probably always be necessary to provide instruction in some of the more elementary subjects, such as English grammar, for the accommodation of a class of workers who will be called here by the special advantages offered by this College, and who will be in school for only a brief period to prepare themselves more thoroughly for their chosen labor. For the coming year we shall offer classes in grammar, arithmetic, physiology, and other preparatory studies. At the same time we shall offer classes in the courses as outlined in the Announcement, in this way making it possible to meet the needs of all, whether advanced or not. The age limit is eighteen years, and it will be necessary to hold quite carefully to this unless in exceptional cases, previous arrangements being made by correspondence with the officers of the school. It will also be a matter of interest to prospective students to know that a beginning has been made in the work of building up a library; and this effort will continue, purchasing first such books as are of immediate and practical value to the student; but in the meantime, should our needs outgrow our means, the condition could largely be overcome through the fact that our students are given the privilege of free access to the public libraries of the city, of which there are a good number, and in which there are millions of volumes, bearing on every topic that any of our young people could possibly be interested in, or which would be of any value to them in their studies. The work of equipping the laboratories has also begun, and the trustees will appropriate such money as may be needed from time to time to provide additional facilities that the work may be thoroughly done, and a clearer comprehension gained of the scientific facts than could be procured without the use of the laboratories. So while the school is young in years, that fact in itself need deter none in deciding to come lest the equipment be scanty or insufficient to meet the actual needs of the situation. As indicated above, everything that is thought necessary will be provided, and the students will thus be amply cared for in their technical work, and they will also have the advantage of the energy, the vigor, and the progressive spirit of a young school. The purpose of the trustees is to plan for the needs of practically all classes of our youth who are of sufficient age to come to a place like Washington and to obtain the experiences and the training which it is hoped this institution may ever give to its students. The College has planned and advertised in its Announcement six different courses of study, ranging in time from one year upward; and according to the statements made above, this wide scope has been widened by the addition of the more elementary subjects herein named, and no labor will be spared which promises success for the labor of every student. It might be proper in this connection to call attention to the special educational advantages offered in the city of Washington, a brief survey of which is given in the Announcement. This survey is necessarily very brief, but it is suggestive; and a little reflection will indicate the unparalleled advantages here offered. Another fact that should not be overlooked by prospective students is that of the location of the headquarters of the General Conference. This necessarily brings to this place the officers and leaders of our denomination, several of whom have signified their willingness to render material assistance in the work of instructing the students for the coming year, and all of whom are more than willing to become acquainted with the students and to give them the advantage of their counsel on such questions as are continually arising in the life of a young man or woman. For those who are preparing for denominational service this advantage is one that can not be overestimated. If there are those who are thinking of coming to this school, or who are somewhat undecided as to what would be the best course to take, I would be glad to correspond with such, and to give full information in regard to our work, our plans, and the advantages to be secured by the young people who attend this institution. Such correspondence may prove beneficial, and may be the means of determining some vexed questions. Address me at Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C.