The Incorporation of the New England School.
By Stephen N. Haskell
At the last annual meeting of the New England Conference, seven of our brethren were chosen to act as trustees for the New England school when it should be legally incorporated, and to have, until that time, the supervision of the school interests. We have had evidence from the commencement that God has favored the enterprise, and blessed our efforts, however imperfect they may have been. A goodly number of the students have, we trust, been converted to God, while at the same time commendable progress has been made by them in their studies. The increase of attendance has been more rapid than our preparation to receive and care for those who came. Having no school-building, the recitations, until the last term, were heard in four different buildings; but all seemed determined to make the best of everything, and it has been a frequent remark, "What a happy family you have." During the last term the meeting-house has been used for a school-room, the seats having been removed and desks substituted in their place. The same arrangement will continue through the present term and until a school-building is erected. During the last vacation, although only for one week, several of the students spent the time in canvassing, and not without success. It has been our object from the commencement to have physical labor connected with the school. Last summer, about one acre of land was cultivated by the male students, and during the winter they have sawed and split about four hundred cords of four-foot wood. The girls also have accomplished their share in this work, having done all of the laundry work, chamber work, and mending, in fact, for the greater part of the time, all of the work of the boarding-house for about seventy-five persons, excepting as the young men have assisted in some of the heavier part; also quite an amount of sewing for themselves and the school. For this labor the students have received a fair compensation. There appears to be a healthier religious feeling in the school this present term than during either of the preceding terms. One young man, a professor of religion, but not of our religious faith, who came from another Conference to attend our school, has taken his stand to keep all of God's commandments. Last first-day he practically showed his faith with the others at the wood-pile. The missionary class the present term numbers twenty. The more advanced students in this department who attended the previous terms, spend the hour allotted to instruction in practical missionary work, such as corresponding with the public libraries respecting the books offered them, wrapping and mailing papers, etc. Others have assigned to them some district or local society, for which they act as secretary or librarian, endeavoring to bring them up in the different branches of the missionary work; while others are assisting Sister Huntley in the work of the International Society. Those who have entered the class this term for the first time, take lessons in book-keeping, missionary correspondence, and reporting meetings. Thursday, March 22, at a meeting duly called, the New England S. D. A. Educational Society was legally organized. A Constitution and By-laws were adopted. It was decided to issue stock and place the shares at $10.00 each. Many items of importance relating to the future welfare of the school were freely discussed, and the following resolutions were adopted:— Whereas, Our experience during three terms of school, and part of another, has proved to our satisfaction that physical labor connected with a boarding-school is practicable, and also necessary to a healthful physical and mental development; and, Whereas, We believe that it would be highly beneficial to the school at South Lancaster to have trades connected with it, so that with physical labor the students may have the opportunity of learning some useful trade while attending it, even though not receiving a remuneration in dollars and cents for their labor; and, Whereas, To carry on these trades would require more capital than the school can command, and also involve other serious difficulties; therefore, Resolved, That we recommend that persons possessing good characters, who are qualified to instruct others in such trades as would be desirable and could be successfully carried on in South Lancaster, be corresponded with, with the view of inducing them to come to this place. Whereas, Duty seems to call Eld. Haskell to California this spring, therefore, Resolved, That in our judgment it will be advisable to postpone building until fall, or such time as he may return.