FROM the Argus, published at Cape Town, Africa, we take the following interesting account of the opening of our new college at Claremont, near that city:— Quite a large gathering of the residents of Claremont and vicinity assembled in the spacious dining hall of the new college building, when, after the opening exercises of music, and a prayer by Elder I. J. Hankins, Elder A. T. Robinson delivered a brief address, setting forth the reason for the establishment of the institution, the success that has attended the enterprise, and its future prospects. In the course of the address, which was listened to with great attention, Mr. Robinson said:— "Perhaps a few words as to what has led to the establishment of this institution, the success that has attended the enterprise thus far, and as to what is hoped to be accomplished through its agency in the future, may be of interest to those who are assembled on this occasion. I may say at the outset that this college has not been founded, nor is it to be conducted, as a rival institution to any other branch of educational work in this vicinity. The sole aim of its founders is to contribute in a small measure to the great and noble work of education in this colony." "This college is a denominational institution. Those who have been foremost in its establishment, believing in the principle of total separation of Church and State, have neither asked nor received governmental aid. We believe in the utility of the public undenominational school, aided by government, which should afford the facilities for a thorough secular education. Such schools should be undenominational, not merely in name, but in fact. We believe that whenever such aid is secured for schools in which religious instruction is to be imparted, it is a perversion of right principles. But though this college is denominational, it does not follow that it is to be narrow and sectarian in its plan of work. While the field of secular education is a broad one, the value of which cannot be overestimated, the horizon is vastly widened when the religion of our Lord Jesus Christ—he who spake as never man spake—is made the foundation of that education." Having explained at length some of the principles which led the Seventh-day Adventists, some twenty-five years ago, to begin the establishment of denominational schools, Elder Robinson said that how well they have succeeded may be noted by the fact that although a comparatively young denomination, and one which cannot boast of numerical strength, yet they have made their influence felt in every part of the civilized world. "This result is attributable very largely to the prominence given to the work of education. The denomination now has in successful operation in different parts of the world twelve schools, colleges, and academies, in which some over one hundred persons are employed as teachers, and in which are some over two thousand pupils." "About one year ago, or a little less than that, it was decided to locate a college at this place. There were some very serious difficulties to face, and I may say that the manner in which those have been met and surmounted has been a series of surprises to all who have been connected with the enterprise. When this farm was purchased upon which this building has been erected, there was not money enough in sight to pay for the land. The last opportunity to purchase brick, of last year's make, had to be improved within a few days or not at all. The venture was made, and when the main portion of the building was completed, the bricks left over could be carried away in a wheelbarrow. Sufficient funds were contributed to keep the work moving along, until we had reason to believe that, when completed, the debt on the property would not exceed £2,500." "But our next surprise in this direction was a few weeks ago, at a meeting in this room, with a considerably less number present than are here to-day, when this indebtedness was reduced by the handsome sum of over £1,500. I may be pardoned for referring to one contribution which towers above any other individual donation towards this enterprise. I refer to the very liberal gift of £2,000 from Mrs. J. J. Wessels." "Another matter of agreeable surprise was in the response of our people in America, more than meeting our highest expectations in furnishing us with an able and experienced corps of instructors. Professor Miller, whom we have been glad to welcome as principal of this college, has had many years' experience in our largest and oldest college in America, which has eminently fitted him for the work in this new institution. I will not take the time to mention by name his able assistants, in each of whom we place the utmost confidence." "I may speak of another agreeable surprise in the fact that, while we supposed we were building so large that we hoped to grow to the size of our accommodations, we have already received nearly as many applications for boarding students as can be accommodated." At the close of the service many visitors were shown through the different parts of the building, and they all expressed themselves as highly pleased with the arrangement.