p. 19 | Study at Home by William E. Howell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 12, 1912

Study at Home

By William E. Howell

Fireside Correspondence School

I WISH it were possible for every reader of this article to look over the neatly prepared lessons lying on my desk as I write, some coming in, some going out. It would give a very definite and concrete idea of the practical working of this very interesting and effective method of study. But as this can not be, the next best thing is to give a little inventory of these lessons, without duplicating the subject, just as they happen to come:— Penmanship: by a church-school teacher, aged 23, lesson 16. Pluck admirable. Bookkeeping: by a homesteader, aged 34, just began. Enthusiastic. Grammar: by a stenographer, aged 21, lesson 25, began last year. Advanced rhetoric: by a teacher, academy graduate, aged 24, lesson 10. Well done. Church history: by a lecturer, lesson 15. Already completed advanced rhetoric and journalism. Excellent grasp of the subject. Bible doctrines: by an academy teacher, aged 25, lesson 39. Standings high. Composition-rhetoric: by a girl at home, lesson 37. Already completed stenography and penmanship. Algebra: by a teacher, aged 19, lesson 15. Average standing so far, 99. Journalism: by a school principal, lesson 16. Already completed advanced rhetoric, and just enrolled for church history.

In a letter accompanying the lesson on journalism, this progressive principal says: "To me there is something really inspiring about these correspondence lessons. They keep me feeling young and student-like, and that I desire above all things."

This correspondence study brings out the best and the weakest in every student. One who has partly completed two courses, on suffering a temporary interruption, wrote the other day that she should complete these courses if it took the rest of her lifetime to do it. Another who had had to do two or three lessons over, said she had never thought of becoming discouraged. It is those who definitely decide to do something for improvement and who persevere until they accomplish what they set out to do, that make something in the world.

Last year's work brought decidedly the best results since the opening of the school three years ago. We are sure the fourth year will bring still better. Many of our students from last year will go on this year. Some have been members of the school ever since it

began, and say they want this kind of study to continue a part of their work for life. Is it not time, reader, that you were getting started in this good way, too?

Our fourth annual opening occurs October 7. See that all preliminary arrangements are made before that date, so that all can start together at the beginning of the best season of the year for study. Calendar on request by addressing either the school or the principal at Takoma Park, D. C.

W. E. HOWELL.