p. 20 | Mt. Ellis Academy by J. L. Jones

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 28, 1906

Mt. Ellis Academy

By J. L. Jones

TWENTY acres of fertile land in the beautiful Gallatin Valley of Montana was purchased in the spring of 1905 by the brethren of this State for school purposes. Nestled among the Rocky Mountains, a building of three stories, including the basement, and capable of accommodating twenty persons, was erected for a home. The erection was retarded by unfavorable weather, so that, on the day of opening, November 1, as previously announced, much remained to be done. The students entered heartily into the work of cleaning it for use, and class work began to the sound of hammer, saw, and plane.

Twenty-five were enrolled, fourteen of whom resided in the school home. A vacant church, a few rods from the home, was rented for a school building. The seventh, eighth, and tenth grades were represented.

The Spirit of God was present in a marked manner throughout the year, bringing in a happy, harmonious atmosphere, and a “mind to work” in any line—industrial, literary, or spiritual.

Realizing that the discipline of life and the development of character are obtained more from the faithful performance of the common duties than even in the plying of a trade, and that a knowledge of these is of much importance, we endeavored to make the domestic work and farm chores compensate for the lack of facilities for teaching other kinds of manual labor. A class in domestic science and general culture was conducted once a week by the matron. We were especially gratified by the interest shown in our Sabbath-school and Young People’s Society. The responsibility of these was placed almost entirely upon the students. This gave them a practical training for the duties that must come to them as workers in this great cause.

Having for a number of years been connected with one of our large training-schools as a student and as a teacher, I have been much impressed with the wisdom of the counsel found in Vol. VI of the “Testimonies,” to establish many small schools. The burdens and perplexities incident to school life are reduced to a minimum by such a location as ours.

Our farm is under a good state of cultivation. Vegetables grown here are seldom equaled anywhere for size and flavor. Our expectation is to make the farm of great assistance to us financially. Although our numbers this year were small, we were able to pay all bills promptly, and close free from debt.

J. L. JONES.

Bozeman, Mont.