p. 18 | An Awakening in Our Colleges and Academies

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Dec 27, 1906

An Awakening in Our Colleges and Academies

By E. R. PALMER

THE splendid advance made by our publishing work during the year 1906 has been due quite largely to an awakened interest in the work of this department in our colleges and other schools. In nearly all these schools, practical arrangements have been made for students to earn scholarships, and our young people have shown a commendable zeal and earnestness in availing themselves of the opportunities thus afforded them of working successfully for the Master in his vineyard, and of earning the means to pay their tuition.

There is a double blessedness in this movement: our young people are taking a greater interest in the work of God among the people from house to house; while, on the other hand, many who could not otherwise attend school are now able to do so and pay their way. Tributary to these two great blessings are also many others, such as the valuable experience gained in working from house to house and in learning to transact business under varied conditions. One of the greatest blessings, also, is the schooling and good training received by the boys and girls in this effort to be independent and pay their own way. The work is also a spiritual blessing to them. The very hardness of the way leads them to seek God earnestly for his help, and thus, at the very beginning of their efforts to work for him, they learn how to pray, and how to lean hard upon the everlasting arms.

This movement in our schools is spreading rapidly, and broad plans are being laid now for enlisting a large number of our young people in this frontier work during 1907. As a basis of larger results, there is a larger attendance in our schools this year than ever before.

In Union College a canvassers' band has been organized. This is made up from members of the faculty, old canvassers, and such individuals as can be recruited from the membership of the school; and in this school there are no less than three hundred and fifty well-matured students from whom to draw good recruits. The members of this band meet at regular intervals and organize for work and study.

Certain ones are studying the history of the publishing work in connection with the great Reformation of the sixteenth century. Others are studying certain books for which they expect later on to work in the field. Others are studying the Testimonies to learn what they say about the tract and missionary work, and still others are studying from every available source the science of the subscription-book business.

Once a week this band has charge of chapel exercises, and presents interesting matter to the entire school. Later we may be able to give a more complete outline of this movement. During a recent visit at Union College, when returning West from the publishers' convention, we greatly enjoyed meeting with the members of this band, and learning a few particulars concerning their work.

At Healdsburg College there is to be in a few days a canvassers' convention. The full day will be devoted to this work. Leading men in the conference are to be present and present to the students the needs of the field, and many

of the students are to take part in the program, and relate their personal experiences during the past year in the field.

At Fernando College, in southern California, the interest in the book work is at white heat. Professor Lucas, the principal of the school, is enthusiastic on this question, and is doing much to mold sentiment into strong, courageous resolutions, and there is a good prospect that the larger part of that school will volunteer for the field next spring.

A letter just received from Elder Ketring, president of the New England Conference, states that a convention is about to be held in South Lancaster Academy, or at least some kind of special meeting in which he and others will come close to the students in the interests of the circulation of our literature.

What has been said concerning these schools applies very generally to all our schools, only from these mentioned we have received the most definite reports. We pray that this good work may prosper abundantly, and that God's name may be glorified, and that many workers from our schools may add the strength and fire of youth to this great work that God is doing in the earth.

E. R. PALMER, Secretary Gen. Conf. Publishing Dept.