Washington Training College by J. W. Lawhead

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 20, 1906

Washington Training College

By J. W. Lawhead

The term which closed December 11, has been the most prosperous one the school has experienced; and the experiences gained during this portion of the school year have been such as to encourage all who are connected with the school, and to clearly indicate the work which the institution is destined to do in the days to come. The religious and missionary interests of the school have been prominent, both in the plans of the managers and in the aspirations and purposes of the students, who are an older and more mature class than we usually see in our denominational schools.

The young people have been desirous of gaining a practical experience while in school; and with this thought in view, some twelve or fifteen have actively engaged in missionary work as time and opportunity have permitted, in holding meetings with interested people, in giving Bible readings in homes that have been freely opened, in the distribution of tracts, in missionary visits, and in various other ways which have presented themselves from time to time. The experience gained has been not simply pleasant, but an encouragement both to themselves and to others, so that this spirit of labor seems to be deepening in the lives of those who are doing the work, and at the same time extending more and more to other students, and entering in a larger degree into their plans for future work. Indeed, several who came here in the fall to gain an education to fit themselves for some place of pleasure or profit in life, have been led to see the importance of a different ambition, and have given themselves and have pledged the consecration of their education, to the service of the Lord in the organized work of the denomination.

These and other circumstances have been a source of deep gratification to the managers of the institution, who are now planning very carefully for the conducting of several extra classes through the winter for the benefit of young men and women who desire to engage in the denominational work as public speakers, as canvassers, as teachers, and as nurses. In fact, a nurses' class is just being formed, the plan being to spend the next six months in the College, after which the members of the class will go to the Washington Sanitarium, and there spend the remainder of the time necessary for the completion of the course. About the beginning of the new year, special classes will be formed in such subjects as public speaking, ecclesiastical history, the history of missions, and any other subjects of a practical nature which may be called for by young people who will come and spend five or six months in study to be better prepared to engage in the work of the denomination. The regular classes will also be open to any new students, so that a wide range of subjects will be offered from which to select studies that will be of the most practical value to each individual student.

Opportunity will be given whereby a large share of the tuition expense may be canceled by labor; and if there are any God-fearing young men or women who are desirous of obtaining an education, but whose means are limited, we would be glad to correspond with them, and to lay before them such opportunities as are now offered for reducing tuition by labor.

The attendance to date has been somewhat in excess of the entire enrolment of either of the previous years of the school's work; and quite a goodly number of others are coming in this week to begin the new term. But we shall still have room for more; and we earnestly hope that our plans may be of such a nature as to meet the need, both financially and technically, of our young people; for the institution is established for a definite purpose, and should be filled to its utmost limit with young people whose hearts the Lord has touched, and who are in training that they may respond to some of the many urgent calls for labor which are coming from all parts of the great harvest-field.

We ask our people everywhere to unite with us in earnest prayer to God that right plans may be laid, that just that system of instruction shall be introduced which will best fit young men and women for this service, and to unite with us in interesting proper persons to dedicate their lives to this work, and to enter the training-school for the purpose of gaining the necessary experience and discipline to go out and become successful laborers with Christ. While inviting correspondence with all interested persons, we would especially ask those whose financial circumstances are adverse, but who are desirous of obtaining an education to be used in God's work, to write us of their ambitions and purposes. It is possible that we may be able to encourage some such by enabling them to help themselves to the accomplishment of their ambition.

I shall be glad to hear from all such persons and others who are interested in broad, systematic, and liberal educational work, and will give earnest and careful consideration to every communication received.

J. W. LAWHEAD.

Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C.