A Church-School at Indiana, Pa.
By J. W. Watt
In view of what the Lord has said in the Bible and the Testimonies with reference to educating our children for him and his work, and for a home in the world to come, the writer has been for some time deeply interested in the subject of Christian education. Realizing the great need in our conference, we have taken steps toward the establishing of a school near Indiana, Pa. The plan for this work is briefly as follows: we have secured a tract of land which we propose to divide into small lots of five, ten, or fifteen acres, or more, to suit the purchaser, and encourage a few families of our people to purchase small homes and engage in the cultivation of the soil, raising small fruit, vegetables, and perhaps poultry. In this way they can support themselves, and at the same time give financial support to the school. The students will thus be provided opportunity for manual training as they assist their parents in tilling the soil. We hope thus to have a co-operative school that will be strictly industrial also. Perhaps in the future, if there is a demand for it, we shall provide for other lines of industrial work aside from cultivating the soil. Our location we think is a good one. We are not far from the center of the conference in a good farming district, where fruit can be raised, and where we shall have a good home market for our products. We have very fine springs of soft water on the farm; and while we can not locate every family near a spring, good water can be obtained by digging a well. Fuel is very cheap. We are within four miles of the county seat, which has two railroads, and another will be built soon, if we are correctly informed, which will touch one part of the school farm. We are only seventy-two miles from Pittsburg, which will give us a good market for any products from the farm which we may desire to ship. The conference committee look with favor upon this school enterprise, and will do what they can to encourage the work. While we have secured this tract of land and are ready to sell the same to our brethren at a very reasonable price and on easy terms, we have no money in sight with which to erect a schoolhouse; therefore we, by the advice and sanction of the conference committee, extend to our brethren throughout the conference an invitation to assist us financially in this matter if they feel clear to do so. Any sum of money, large or small, received for this purpose will be greatly appreciated. We do not expect to put up a large, expensive house, but a plain frame building large enough to meet the needs of the work. Already there are four families of us who are interested in this matter. Are there not a few more families who have children to educate who will be glad to co-operate with us in carrying out this plan for the establishment of a school in our conference? Those who have read the Testimonies know that the Lord has spoken plainly with reference to taking our children out of the public schools. The Lord does not speak to his people upon any point unless the instruction he gives is necessary for the good of his children. If our children are not saved in the kingdom of God, how sad it will be! Let us think seriously of this matter, and pray earnestly that God may guide, and that we may be able to do his will in all things. We shall be pleased to correspond with any one who may be interested in this work. May the Lord help us to walk in the light and do our whole duty.