A Happy Family by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 16, 1883

A Happy Family.

By S. N. Haskell

If any of our friends wish to see a happy family they can do so by calling at the student's home in Healdsburg, at the Healdsburg College. The new building was opened for the reception of students July 25, at the commencement of this term of school. It was dedicated Sunday, Aug. 5. The notice of this has already appeared in the SIGNS. Mrs. Mary Clement and Mary Chinnock at the present stand at the head of affairs in the house. Sister Clement's long experience in boarding-houses, and at the Sanitarium at Battle Creek, Mich., has amply qualified her for the position. The opening of the school being in the midst of harvest, there were many expecting to attend who could not then leave their work, so that there were but a few individuals who came to board at the new College building at the commencement of the term; but the family has been continually increasing by fresh arrivals, and its present number consists of about twenty-five. It was our privilege to stop with them for a few days, and to become somewhat acquainted with the students. During our stay not a dissatisfied expression did we see upon the countenance of any. The rooms of the building are large and airy, and all the surroundings present a cheerfulness and refinement which are elevating and ennobling in character. The social atmosphere seems perfectly free from anything like sharp criticism in word or act that is calculated to wound spirits or sadden hearts. It is a co-operative institution. The building being recently finished there is much clearing away of rubbish to be done, and other out-door work of like character. This is entered upon at 5:30 A. M. with a spirit of cheerfulness and zeal which we never saw exceeded in any family. The young men act as though it was their home; and they are anxious to see the ground set out with trees, cultivated, and artistically arranged.

All of this will be accomplished in due time, and the work will be done by the students. These improvements will give them employment much of the time till the next vacation. There will be useful trades introduced, such as printing, that those who desire to do so can learn to edit and write for the press, also to set up their own matter and print it themselves. Dressmaking and other appropriate employments for young ladies will also be arranged as soon as circumstances will allow. There is considerable labor to be performed inside of the house. This is taken hold of by the young ladies in as cheerful a manner as any could imagine. They receive proper instruction from those qualified to give it. A desire to learn how to do the commonest work in the most approved manner is manifested by the students; and not one desires to be excused. They act upon the principle that that which is worthy to be done at all should be done well. All seem determined to elevate the standard of labor and all kinds of housework; and there is a prevailing sentiment in the family that no Chinaman shall come under their roof to perform labor. Not because of any prejudice against the Chinaman, but because they wish to perform the labor themselves. From half past five in the morning until the regular school hours, the hum of some tune, and the happy cheerful countenance which is met at every turn, speak louder than words that the exercise is taken hold of with cheerfulness, and there is real enjoyment in it. A few days' stay at the home would convince the most chronic grumbler that there is a better way to live than by feeding on imaginary difficulties and troubles.

They have morning and evening worship as regular as the offering of the morning and evening sacrifices. At the close of prayer one morning the students met by themselves, and in a few moments presented the resolutions which accompany this article. They requested that they be published in the SIGNS so that their friends might know their real sentiments after about two weeks' experience at the College home. They were signed by each student living at the home.

The school in other respects is also prospering. It opened with sixty-two students. The numbers have been increasing at the rate of over two a day; and at this time of writing there are eighty in regular attendance. Others are expected soon. The prospect never was better for a successful school with respect to numbers than at present. All seem well pleased with the prospect. We passed through the College the morning we left. Nearly every student was engaged in Bible study. Two classes are in the Old Testament history and two in the New. The subject of one class the morning we were present was "Christ's Miracles." I never saw a greater interest in any Sabbath-school to learn all the particulars about Christ,—what he said, the meaning of the parables, etc.,—than was manifested in that class. And in each class there was the greatest interest in the study of the Scriptures. We could scarcely refrain our tears as we noticed the interest manifested from the child of seven summers to the young men and women in their different classes. A few of our friends from abroad were present at the dedication, and two of them before returning to their homes pledged the sum of $5,000 each towards the $25,000 fund, and felt that the work must go. These men have both left children here to attend the school. Their prayers and sympathizing words were of great encouragement to those who felt the burden of the school interests. They assured us that they would stand by the school with their influence and with their means. While relating the encouraging words of these brethren and what they had pledged, some of the professors turned their faces and wept to think how condescending God was to raise them up such friends, and of the responsibility that rested upon them. The brethren return to their homes to sell a portion of their real estate and raise this sum of $5,000 which they pledged. There are others in this State with as true hearts, and we believe will do the same. The time has fully arrived when advance steps should be taken, and we believe that our brethren in California will not be behind in any enterprise that will further the cause of present truth. If there are those who doubt whether a school founded upon these principles can be successfully carried forward here upon the Pacific Coast; or whether the children would enjoy to labor a portion of each day to give physical strength, let them visit this school, and the most doubting Thomas will be convinced that there is no portion of the country that can furnish better and more intelligent young men and women than the State of California. And nowhere can a company of young people be found who enjoy this system more than does this company at Healdsburg.

WHEREAS, The opportunities afforded in the Hall for combining manual labor and school work, tend not only to give us the highest education and teach us practical life lessons, but also to give clearness of mind for study, therefore

Resolved, That we hereby express our thankfulness for these privileges, and our confidence that the principles embodied in the plans recommended by the founders of our school are right, and the discipline not only wholesome but pleasant.

Further Resolved, That as we have experienced some of the good results of this system, we heartily recommend it to our fellow-students, and to all who are desirous of pursuing their studies under the most favorable circumstances.

S. N. HASKELL.