Walla Walla College, College Place, Wash.
By M. E. Cady
THE enrolment at the opening of the school was about seventy-five in the college department, and thirty-five in the normal department. The enrolment, as compared with the opening of the school last year, was about the same; but as the school began two weeks earlier, and at a time when the young people could earn the largest wages in the fruit harvest, we were surprised that we had as large an enrolment as we did. The attendance has steadily increased from the opening of the school till now, November 3, so that our present enrolment in the college is one hundred eighty-seven, and in the normal department sixty-seven. Thus we have more than doubled our enrolment in the college, and nearly so in the normal department, and still the students are coming.27 We expect many more students to enter between now and the first of January. Our total enrolment is two hundred fifty-four. It lacks but ten or twelve of being as large as the entire enrolment of the last year. We confidently expect the attendance to pass the three hundred mark this year. Not only have we a large enrolment, with both dormitories filled, and the overflow from the boys’ department rooming on the fourth floor of the college, but we have an excellent class of students attending the school. Most of them are here for the purpose of preparing for a place in the Lord’s work. Last Thursday was the day set apart for canvassing with the special number of the Signs. We laid aside, entirely, our school work, and students went out through the surrounding country, and also to Walla Walla, a city of about twenty thousand inhabitants. Nearly a dozen students went to outlying towns from twenty to fifty miles from College Place. There were between eighty and ninety students and teachers who took part in this campaign with the Signs. Sabbath afternoon at our regular students’ meeting we heard reports from those who had been engaged in the work, and it was indeed an interesting occasion. There was no time lost in the meeting, and many expressed their gratitude that they had the opportunity of scattering precious seeds of truth, and testified of the blessings received as they gave themselves to the work. Students and teachers joined heartily in this effort, the teachers being the leaders of the different companies sent out. We believe that this experience will prove a great blessing to our school spiritually. Another great cause of rejoicing is the prospect of soon having the college relieved of its heavy burden of debt. A little over a year ago a plan was devised to accomplish this end, and we can hardly realize that within two months from now the college will be free from a debt of twenty-five thousand dollars, and also free from the interest that accumulates year by year. The date set for the consummation of this plan is Jan. 15, 1908. At this time we expect to sing the song of jubilee that might have been sung some years ago if we as a people had been faithful in the work with “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Taking everything into consideration, we believe that this school year will be the banner year in the work of the institution. We believe that the increased attendance in our school is due to the fact that the Lord has set his hand to finish his work in the earth,—to prepare a people that will be ready to meet him in the near future; and that this work may be accomplished, he is, by his Spirit, impressing the hearts of the young people speedily to prepare to act their part in the closing work of the message. Earnest efforts have been put forth to raise the standard of work in all the different departments of the institution. This calls for more thorough work on the part of both teachers and students, and also for better facilities in the various departments, especially in the normal and science departments. Students who have been in the school are pleased with the work done, and have advertised the work much more than could have been done by any other means. We see no reason why there should not be a steady growth in the character of the work done, as well as a constant increase in the attendance. In this great Northwest there are hundreds of young people who ought to be in training for our special work. The scholarship plan makes it possible for our youth to secure the advantages of our schools, and at the same time gives them an experience that will be helpful to them in preparing to be missionaries for God. All young men and women with average ability, who have a spirit of devotion and perseverance, can earn scholarships which will entitle them to the privileges and advantages of students who pay regular rates for board, room, and tuition. There are many who could begin this work now, and thus would have ample time to earn the scholarship before the opening of the school another year. We feel grateful to God for the many omens of good that we see in connection with our school, and for the bright prospects for the future. While the dormitories of the college are filled, we shall make arrangements to board and room all who may come to the school. A cottage is now being prepared for the overflow from the young ladies’ Home. All who are interested in attending the school can secure a calendar of the college by addressing the undersigned. We shall be glad to hear from those who find it difficult to attend the college on account of limited means. It may be that we can help such by giving them some work to do. Let them write, and we will be glad to plan with them.