“WHEREVER there is a settled church, a small building should be erected. Let a schoolhouse be prepared for the locality, and let teachers of good ability work in instructing the students.”
In accord with this instruction, the church in Springdale, Ark., decided last spring to erect a schoolhouse in which the children could be educated for the Lord’s service. The Springdale church has a membership of about one hundred, and they felt confident that a church school at this place could be established upon a self-supporting basis.
The citizens of the place donated liberally to the fund for the building, some giving as high as $25 and $30, and a prominent real-estate dealer secured a donation of about two acres of land on which to erect the house. Our people contributed liberally, and now we have a good building 24 x 36 feet, two stories high, free from debt.
Nearly six months of a successful and satisfactory term of school, under the management of Prof. D. E. Huffman, are in the past. The enrollment has reached 57. The brethren are now planning for a more successful term the coming year. A company has been organized to open up and put into operation a broom factory, thus giving employment to those who have limited means and who are anxious to become efficient workers for the Lord. A number of families have moved in to take advantage of the school privileges here offered.
Springdale is located in what is called the “fruit belt” of Arkansas, in Washington County, about forty8miles north of the Boston mountains. It is a town of about 2,500. The temperance element of the town is in the majority, and there is not a saloon in the place.
Our school has already become a source of strength to our small conference, and we have realized that the blessing of the Lord has attended all our efforts. It is indeed a “happy beginning.” It is designed to teach in the school the principles of all branches of the work; especially will the importance of placing our publications before the people be taught, using such books as “Desire of Ages,” “Great Controversy,” “Patriarchs and Prophets,” “Prophecies of Jesus,” “Daniel and Revelation,” “Bible Readings,” and many other good books, which the Lord has placed in our hands. It is designed to hold a canvassers’ institute at the close of the school, in which proper training will be given to those who desire to enter this branch of the work.
With the Lord’s approval on every move, we expect the school work there to advance. To him be all the praise.
