Our Intermediate Schools
By F. M. Burg
THE object of these schools is to provide Christian education for that class of our youth who, being somewhat advanced in their school work, fail to see the importance of continuing their studies, and therefore are in danger of listening to the offers which the world holds out to them, and having an inadequate education and no well-defined aims for their future, become lost in the mad rush to obtain the riches which perish with the using. There is no more dangerous point in the young person's life than just at this time; and fortunate is he if he has the opportunity of obtaining an education that is designed to give him a definite purpose in life,—a purpose to fill whatever place God has for him in his great work,—and in this to prepare for the life eternal. Nothing better can be done by the parents for their dear boys and girls for whom Satan is setting his snares, than to turn their attention and interests in that direction. And just such an end as this is involved in the establishment of our intermediate schools. If parents will awake to the importance of the situation, and will co-operate with conference workers in an effort to pluck our youth from the grasp of the world, encouraging them to enter the schools which are established and adapted for them, we shall see many in our training-schools or colleges getting a better fitting for God's work, and an army of energetic young men and women will soon go forth as soldiers for God and as workers in his vineyard. Space is too limited to say what might be said on the possibilities for good in these schools. To our people in western Washington I can say from personal knowledge that the results already accomplished in the conversion of young men and women, bringing them to a definite purpose to devote their lives to God's work, and the excellence of the work done for them in educational lines and in good discipline, demonstrate what good may be done when all will work together to make these schools what they may and should be. A large percentage of those who have attended the two schools in western Washington or the schools of this class in western Oregon have experienced a good conversion, and are fitting themselves for a place in God's great cause for to-day. Praise the Lord for this, and let all the people come to the help of these schools which so urgent a necessity has called into existence among us. Who should attend these schools? This has been answered in what has already been said. Much more might be said, but lack of space forbids. However, in passing I will suggest that these schools are not designed for mere children. It is right that parents keep their children under their own care and under the influence of home till they reach a point where it is clear that their going from home will not jeopardize their moral and spiritual welfare, but that it will be for their best interests to go to such a school. There are many of each of these two classes; hence there is more than an excuse for the existence of the schools which have been established for them. We have an obligation which can not be evaded. During my visit at the Meadow-glade School near Manor a program which the young people had prepared with the help of those in charge of the school and also of Elder T. H. Watson, was rendered in the Methodist church before a large and very appreciative audience. It can be said to the credit of these young people, and as an illustration of what can be done under properly directed effort, that the program and its rendering, and the exemplary and Christian conduct of the young men and women who took part in it, call for the highest commendation. As a result the community is thoroughly interested in our work. For some weeks the attention of the people near the school has been turned toward our people and their work in a favorable manner as a result of the work the school is doing, and many are inquiring about the truths which we hold. This program, which in so attractive and happy a way gave them so good an idea of many features of our work and message, came as a providential climax to the efforts that had been put forth. The Lord is at work in the school in a signal manner, and many marked conversions have resulted. We look for good days for these two schools in western Washington.