SOUTH LANCASTER ACADEMY.
By Frederick Griggs
The South Lancaster Academy Board of Trustees has just concluded its spring board meeting. The manifest presence of the Lord was felt throughout all the meetings, a sweet spirit being noticeable, no matter how difficult or perplexing was the business under consideration. One of the brethren, who has for some time been a member of the board, remarked that he did not remember of ever being in any business meeting where more of the guiding Spirit of God was manifested than in these sessions. A much easier feeling is being experienced financially by the school. There were a few changes made in the faculty and helpers; but for the most part they will remain the same for the coming year. While the members of the board were in the place, several sermons were preached, in which the Spirit of God was manifest in a marked way. Elders Russell and Thompson remained after the meetings, which closed the evening after the Sabbath, March 17, and conducted meetings with the students for two days. A deep revival of the Spirit of God was begun. We were very sorry to have these brethren leave; but the work in their respective Conferences demanded their immediate attention. The faculty planned upon resuming the usual school work the morning after the brethren left, and yet they were earnestly seeking the Lord that he would direct in all matters pertaining to the school. This he did in a marvelous way. While in the chapel, just before the students were to be dismissed to their class rooms, one of the students arose and asked the privilege of saying a few things with reference to his own Christian experience. While he was speaking, others arose; and for nearly three hours the work of confession and repentance and praising the Lord went forward. It was a case where the faculty literally stood still, and saw the salvation of the Lord. In the afternoon the same work was continued. The students were seeking the Lord in prayer and counsel. The next day was a repetition of the preceding one. All this was without a word or any effort from any member of the faculty to urge the students in this direction. We have never seen more manifest workings of the Spirit of God. Throughout the year the students in the school have been earnest in their studies; but there have been several who either had not any Christian experience or who lacked solidity in their Christian character. This work has deepened the experience of the students. Instruction was given the students in the matter of their confessions; that according to the Testimonies, there are confessions that should be made to God only, and others that should be made to individual persons, and still others that should be made to the whole congregation. As a result of this instruction, the confessions that were made in public were of a helpful nature. There are quite a number of our students who are desirous of baptism, and it will be administered soon. Never has the faculty witnessed more abundant evidence of the outpouring of the Spirit of God than during the last few days. Our hearts are full of gratitude for what the Lord is doing. The work is going on in a quiet way, without the least excitement or urging on the part of anyone. It is the Spirit of God that is doing it all, and to his name be all the glory.