Opening of Keene Academy.
By C. C. Lewis
The fall term of Keene Academy begins Wednesday, November 6, two weeks later than usual, thus giving the students more time to earn money for their expenses. It is important that every student be present the first day, as an effort will be made to accomplish, by hard work and diligence, in seven months what has taken eight months to perform heretofore. Do not put off your entrance a single day if you can avoid it. There are several reasons why the coming year is expected to be the best the academy has ever enjoyed:— 1. The missionary spirit is stirring the hearts of teachers and students. Eight students have gone to foreign fields since the close of school last year. 2. The department for training church-school teachers, although excellent for several years, will be much improved. Besides a thorough and practical course of study, teachers will have opportunity for observation and practice in a Model Church school, organized after the plan of the new “Church-school Manual,” and presided over by Mrs. Flora H. Williams, assisted by two competent, critic teachers. 3. The Medical Preparatory Course of study will be strengthened by the addition of two years in German, taught by Prof. A. Kunze, well-known throughout the denomination, thus meeting the new requirements of the American Medical Missionary College, of Battle Creek and Chicago. The work of the Lone Star Sanitarium, now in successful operation under the management of Dr. D. E. Garvin, who also teaches physiology, hygiene, nursing, and sanitary science in the academy, will render this department even more efficient than in the past. 4. The recommendation of the last General Conference that each school make a specialty of studying the language of some missionary field near it has been met by securing the services of Prof. J. B. Fitch, of El Paso, Tex., to whom the Spanish language is native, and who has taught the language six years in the University of California and several years in El Paso. This is a rare opportunity to study Spanish under a teacher who speaks the language as his native tongue. 5. In the Commercial Department the services of an efficient teacher of shorthand and typewriting have been secured. In typewriting the “touch system” will be employed, which leaves the eyes free to give undivided attention to the copy. Gardner’s new “card system” of bookkeeping will be introduced, a great improvement over other systems. 6. The Ministers’ Course has been strengthened and otherwise improved. It embraces three years of study upon those subjects most practical for preparing the student to engage in Bible work or the ministry. 7. The Music Department will maintain the high standard which it has already attained. It will be under the management of a graduate pupil of Professor Barnes, highly recommended by himself and Professor Sutherland. 8. Most of the old teachers are retained, and all are persons of age and experience in teaching and in the message. The home will remain under the same management as during the last four years. The Business Manager, Brother T. T. Stevenson, is well known to all our people in the Southwest, having been secretary of the Texas Tract Society for ten years or more. These conditions give stability to the work, and will command the confidence of the people. 9. The rates are moderate, one hundred dollars covering all expenses for the academy and the home during the school year; and ten hours of required work each week, at from five to eight cents per hour, will enable the student to reduce this amount by from fourteen dollars to twenty-two dollars. For calendars, giving full particulars, address Keene Industrial Academy, Keene Tex. C. C. LEWIS, Principal.