The Educational Conference
By M. Bessie DeGraw
It was the oft-repeated expression of those privileged to attend the summer school and educational conference at Berrien Springs that this was the most pleasant and the most profitable season they had ever spent. It was the original plan to extend a general invitation to all persons interested in Christian education to attend the conference, but as the students of the summer school approached one hundred and fifty in number, it became necessary to abandon that idea because of inadequate facilities. Consequently the invitations were limited to conference presidents, educational secretaries, and the heads of institutions. The regular work of the summer school was dropped with reluctance when the time came for opening the conference. Students were deeply interested in their studies. This is the first summer school in which a definite, well-defined course of instruction has been given. Heretofore the work of the summer term has followed the lecture method; this season there was thorough class work. Each student was classified according to his most urgent needs. One regular subject received the student's undivided attention. Consequently15when the term closed, pupils felt that they had gained something which repaid them for the time spent. When the conference opened, the students themselves took a leading part. The central thought during the entire summer had been “the need of an educational system which provides free schools for every child,” and “the means of support for such a system.” The study of the summer had impressed these questions so firmly upon the minds of all, that it mattered little what subject was before the convention for discussion, these central thoughts were made to appear. How I was educated; why I left the public schools; experiences in teaching a church school without special training; mistaken views concerning Christian education; the object of Christian education; methods of attaining that object; periods of child development, and how Christian education is adapted to each; universal free schools, and methods for their support; text-books; character of teachers; training for teachers; duties of educational superintendents; scope of work for church schools, intermediate schools, colleges, and training schools,— these are some of the subjects discussed. In most cases the subject was presented by one or more students, and then discussed by the body. Prof. Clinton D. Smith, of Michigan Agricultural College, spent one day at the convention, and addressed the students twice on the subject of Practical Agriculture the Basis of Nature Study. R. M. Kellogg, of Three Rivers, Mich., widely known as a cultivator of fine strawberries, addressed the students twice, giving valuable instruction concerning the raising of berries, and encouraging teachers to begin this work in church and intermediate schools. Both Professor Smith and Mr. Kellogg advocate farming on the intensive plan; both sound the cry, Away from the cities! Get into the country! The students had the privilege of listening to Col. Henry Hadley, of Chicago, a worker in the New School of Temperance, which pleads for simple food, well cooked, free from condiments, as the foundation of temperance. Colonel Hadley spoke more fearlessly for health reform than does many a Seventh-day Adventist who claims to have known this truth for years. Dr. Paulson created a wave of enthusiasm by his animated presentation of the subject of mission fields for Christians. He told of the opening doors before him and his workers in Chicago; he showed the need of consecrated workers, and inspired every teacher with a desire to work for perishing souls. In a few minutes over four thousand yearly subscriptions were taken for the Life Boat. Professor Sutherland showed the teachers how they could co-operate with the movement into which the doctor is putting his life, and almost all the teachers subscribed for a club of the Life Boat, to be used in their schools, and distributed by their pupils. Professor Cady, of Healdsburg College, was present during the closing days of the convention, and his talks on nature study were highly appreciated. Professor Griggs, of South Lancaster, made a hurried visit to the white city among the trees, but was unable to remain long on account of the summer school in session at South Lancaster. Elder W. A. Spicer spent several days on the grounds during the regular term, and his instruction on foreign missions stirred the hearts of his hearers. Sister Cora Blodgett, of Union College, left the grounds a few days before the close of the convention to prepare for her future field of labor in South Africa. There were other features of the convention decidedly instructive, but perhaps none more entertaining than the lecture by Professor Newton, of Union College, in which he described his trip through Europe, illustrating it with stereopticon views. It proved to be necessary, because of the Wisconsin and Michigan camp meetings, to close the conference three days earlier than had been intended. Sunday, the last day of the session, and the following Monday, were busy days. The educational secretaries were counseling with teachers, and locating them for the year. Numerous requests have been received for teachers, but the States that were represented among the students and whose secretaries were on the ground, received the first appointments. The value of trained teachers is everywhere recognized; and as the educational system is more completely organized, this fact will impress itself more deeply on the minds of patrons and school boards. A public school, conducted in a church building for Seventh-day Adventist children by a Seventh-day Adventist teacher, will not save the children. Christian education is more than that. It is a complete revolution—a reformation in methods and principles. It was voted to publish a synopsis of the proceedings of the conference in the October issue of the Advocate. This issue of the journal will be enlarged to meet this demand. Parents and teachers should give this matter wide circulation. The conference which has just closed marks a crisis in the work. We cannot afford to let this phase of the message pass us by. M. BESSIE DEGRAW.