Not long ago a mother came to a teacher, much grieved over the fact that her little eight-year-old girl did not have a “natural liking for arithmetic.” The teacher told her that very likely the child would develop a liking for it later in life. The teacher took particular pains not to teach arithmetic. All books of that nature were laid aside for a time, and they began studying lines and angles. They talked about the different kinds of angles,—acute, right, and obtuse. They made them by putting their two forefingers together at different angles. They noticed that it took just two fingers each time. They drew them in different positions on the board and on paper. Right angles were made of strips of colored paper, and mounted upon cards, forming designs and borders, the number of angles used depending upon the number being studied. For example, in studying the number two, they would compare it with eight. They used four angles, having eight lines, arranging them on a card.
Several combinations or simple arithmetic were drawn from this design; for instance, two, and two, and two are eight; eight less two, less two, less two are two; two taken four times are eight. How many two’s in eight? One fourth of eight is what? Two eighths is what? Three fourths of eight is what? These were sometimes clothed in stories. Other angles were added as fast as new combinations were learned, until a design of twelve angles was completed.
After the number two was learned, the number three was taken up in the same manner, using the triangle or half square to represent the number three. Triangles were cut from pink paper, and mounted to form borders and designs. Triangles were made of three-inch straws strung on red cord and tied together until a string of twelve triangles was ready to hang on the wall.
A happy day that was; for the table of three’s was mastered and the design complete.
The square was used to develop the table of four’s. A string of twelve squares was made of four-inch straws, and the design and borders were complete.
After a few weeks had been spent on this kind of work, the above-mentioned little girl, when given a group of angles or triangles, would write a page of combinations and problems. At the close of the term she still said she did not like arithmetic, but that she “just loved to work with angles and squares.”
FANNIE P. JOHNSON.
Bible in the First Three Grades
By Mrs. Pauline Castle
“SUFFER little children to come unto me, and forbid them not.” Luke 18:16. These are Jesus’ own words; he called every child. Besides calling, he took them up in his arms, and put his hands on them and blessed them. His blessing is life and health and strength.
Jesus bade Peter, “Feed my lambs.” What a privilege to feed the lambs of Jesus’ flock! What a privilege, parents, to have the opportunity of sending your children to the church-school, where their minds may be provided with the food that Jesus has for them. In childhood are received the most lasting impressions. How very important, then, that right impressions be made.
A lady, not of our faith, who was sending her little girl to school for the first time, and that to the church-school, too, once said to me: “I was surprised to have my little girl come home and tell me she was learning to read and write, ‘God is love.’ My other children never learned this in school. But how good for the first impressions to be of the Creator who made us.”
To me the Bible class with the little ones has been the most interesting class. To teach God’s words and works to the bright, active minds and to see the interest manifested is really inspiring. God has given us his Word as he would have us know it; and I made a practise of having the children learn their memory verses word for word as they are given. After thorough drilling in this way it is surprising how quickly they detect any error in verses which they hear repeated.
Then, too, they become very much interested to see how many verses they can learn through the year. The younger pupils not only learn to repeat them, but also to write them, and to draw pictures of things in nature of which they are reminded while learning the Bible verses.
Third-grade pupils may reproduce the26Bible story for language work. There are many devices the teacher may use in order that the verses and stories may be more vividly impressed upon the child’s mind. The children are often found in the home insisting upon attention while they relate some Bible story they have learned.
“Of all the books that have been placed in the world, be they ever so valuable, the Bible is the book of books, and is most deserving of the closest study and attention.”—Christian Education, page 105.
Does it pay, parents, to send your children where they may learn more of God, and thus become workers for him? Our question will be fully answered when, in the new earth, parents greet their dear children, and the teachers again meet those for whom they have labored. Let us weary not in well doing. Mrs. Pauline Castle.
Thoughts for Teachers
By A. M. H.
Of the methods of the teacher who made the most impression on my life I remember but little. I only remember that the atmosphere of the school was more nearly what a church-school should be than one usually finds.
He must have been a true Christian — an optimistic one — for we all seemed to feel on our honor as to behavior and lessons. We knew that he expected only good of us. He had a kind word for, and a personal interest in, even the most unruly, and such soon forgot to live up to the reputation of “the worst boy in school.”
He gave a little friendly talk the first morning, and said there would be only one rule—obey. I see more and more in that word, now. It was the test in the garden of Eden. Each morning a motto or quotation—character-building and uplifting—was on the board, sometimes Scripture texts. These we were encouraged to copy, and also to suggest others ourselves. We could repeat these after our names were called in roll.
How many teachers have met the pupil who says, “I know, but I can’t tell it”? — a condition which will handicap him for life unless corrected. Special attention should be paid that one to see that in each recitation the thoughts are grasped so that in the review they can be presented in clear-cut sentences. Many, even grown persons, read, but do not see the thought expressed. Of course such reading brings no development of mind. How necessary is accuracy!
“Our thoughts are odors, and we can
not seal them
So close with actions, but they will
creep out,
And sensitive souls will feel and know
them
To be sweet or vile, beyond a doubt.”
The grandest and most responsible work in the world is that which God has committed to mothers and teachers — training his children for service.
A. M. H.
Right Ideals for Young Men
“EVERY young man should go out into life with right ideals, by which he should stand if he has to die for them. That is heroism. That is manhood. That means straight, clean, upright living, which ought to be the purpose of every young man.”
The Teacher's Opportunity
By Timothy Dwight
Every teacher may reflect, however humble or secluded be his station, that he has the opportunity of raising his school to an eminence. He may do his part toward elevating the standard of education, and sound a trumpet to the higher institutions to elevate theirs. No matter where his school is located, its naked walls may be decorated with simple ornaments, attractive to the eye, favorable to taste, and instructive to the mind; the arrangements may be such as to secure healthful postures and exercise, thorough instruction with necessary variety, well-tempered light, and the purest air that heaven affords. It may be the abode of harmony, happiness, and improvement. The best of friendships may be formed there; and the path which conducts to it, however stony or winding, may be associated in many a mind with recollections of childhood, and the loftiest conceptions of science, of man, and his Creator.
TIMOTHY DWIGHT.
Emmanuel Missionary College
By J. G. Lamson
We have now entered the third month of our college year, and our hearts are made glad day by day as we see the progress being made in the work we are undertaking. Our total enrolment in all departments now runs above one hundred, and we have an actual every-day attendance of over ninety.
Classes are organized in five years' work in Bible, running from Old Testament history, or Bible 1, as it is denominated here, to Bible 5, which is the training-class for ministers and Bible workers. In mathematics, the work covered includes practical arithmetic, commercial arithmetic, algebra (beginning and advanced), and geometry. No higher mathematics have yet been called for. In science, the work includes two classes in college physiology, chemistry, agriculture, and a practical class in physics. In language, the work ranges from grade grammar to advanced rhetoric and literature. Classes are organized in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, with German as the only modern language being taught. In the music department, about fifteen are enrolled, with a chorus of fifty voices. In the commercial department, fourteen are enrolled for shorthand, and twenty for bookkeeping. January 1 this department will enter upon actual business and office practise, in a large room now being fitted up specially for that work. In the manual training department, there has been excellent success this year. About twenty different students have been enrolled in the carpentry division, and are, a part of the time at least, actually engaged in practical work. A new cottage is being erected for one of the teachers, buildings repaired, a new barn, forty-five by ninety feet, is about completed, a new steam plant installed in the Domestic Arts Building, and several smaller cottages are being fitted up for winter use. Four, and at times more, students are engaged in the printing division, and there is every prospect that the plant will be more than busy during the entire winter. The horticultural division has not been a success this year, so far as the production of fruit is concerned, it being a very bad year, but the vineyards and orchards are in excellent condition; and if the Lord is pleased to grant us a good season next year, there will be a bountiful supply; as it is, however, the school has not been able to sell much fruit, but has canned practically all of it for domestic consumption. The general farm has been a decided success. One of the largest seed houses in the country has accepted a large amount of seed from this institution, and the president was complimented upon the high quality of the article. The wheat was a prize crop. In competition with other stock, the college thoroughbreds proved prize winners; and in the poultry department, no one need look further to find high-grade Barred Rocks.
It became evident early after the opening of the school that more room would be needed for students. The second floor of Advocate Building was vacated by the printing plant, and rooms were fitted up for married couples, of whom there are no less than eleven, in which either the husband or wife or both are attending school. Two sewing classes are formed, one for beginners, and one for more advanced students. It is the main purpose, in all the industrial departments, to have the work of the school performed only by students and teachers. The teachers have indeed shown themselves very willing to engage in the actual business of the school, and there is a commendable interest on the part of the students, and a willingness to lay hold of every assigned task.
There has been no marked revival effort. We rejoice to learn of the wonderful blessings the Lord is vouchsafing our sister schools. We believe those revival periods to be wonderful tokens of a loving Saviour. While there has been no special work of that kind in our college thus far, there has been indeed a steady, quiet growth in grace. The Bible classes are well filled, the religious exercises of the school well attended, and a reverent spirit is very manifest. Several have given their hearts to the Lord at our students' meetings, and we have had one baptism, Sabbath, November 16, at which five students united with the Lord by that rite. One of these is student Yoshio Tanimoto, who is eager indeed to perfect himself in a knowledge of the truth, so as to return to his native Japan and help warn that great nation of the times in which we live.
Emmanuel Missionary College extends hearty greetings to its sister schools, and we extend personal greetings to our fellow laborers. J. G. LAMSON.
Cedar Lake (Mich.) Academy
By W. C. MATHEWSON
THE Cedar Lake Academy opened September 17, with an enrolment of thirty-two, which has since increased to forty-nine, the largest in the history of the school. This does not included the primary department, which numbers twenty-three. Previously to this year the largest enrolment for any fall term was thirty-four in the academic department. This fact, considering the excellent class of students that we have this year, is very encouraging. An excellent spirit pervades nearly the entire school. A large number are here for the express purpose of fitting themselves for practical missionary work.
With few exceptions, our students are taking a great interest in their studies and recitations, and are receiving unusually good examination standings. The improvement that some have made in this respect since last year, is due to the fact that they have been converted in the meantime. The same improvement is also noticed in their deportment.
We feel well pleased to observe the missionary spirit manifested among the students. They seem willing to do anything reasonable, helping the needy poor, distributing literature, etc. Forty-one dollars has been pledged by students to furnish the Signs of the Times to workers in foreign ports.
Like other schools, we have felt the movings of the Spirit of God. Some of the students have been converted since coming here, ten having been baptized. It is our desire to so plan and work that angels of God will co-operate with us in giving these youth the training that they need.
W. C. MATHEWSON.
Walla Walla College, College Place, Wash.
By M. E. Cady
THE enrolment at the opening of the school was about seventy-five in the college department, and thirty-five in the normal department. The enrolment, as compared with the opening of the school last year, was about the same; but as the school began two weeks earlier, and at a time when the young people could earn the largest wages in the fruit harvest, we were surprised that we had as large an enrolment as we did. The attendance has steadily increased from the opening of the school till now, November 3, so that our present enrolment in the college is one hundred eighty-seven, and in the normal department sixty-seven. Thus we have more than doubled our enrolment in the college, and nearly so in the normal department, and still the students are coming.27
We expect many more students to enter between now and the first of January. Our total enrolment is two hundred fifty-four. It lacks but ten or twelve of being as large as the entire enrolment of the last year. We confidently expect the attendance to pass the three hundred mark this year. Not only have we a large enrolment, with both dormitories filled, and the overflow from the boys’ department rooming on the fourth floor of the college, but we have an excellent class of students attending the school. Most of them are here for the purpose of preparing for a place in the Lord’s work.
Last Thursday was the day set apart for canvassing with the special number of the Signs. We laid aside, entirely, our school work, and students went out through the surrounding country, and also to Walla Walla, a city of about twenty thousand inhabitants. Nearly a dozen students went to outlying towns from twenty to fifty miles from College Place. There were between eighty and ninety students and teachers who took part in this campaign with the Signs.
Sabbath afternoon at our regular students’ meeting we heard reports from those who had been engaged in the work, and it was indeed an interesting occasion. There was no time lost in the meeting, and many expressed their gratitude that they had the opportunity of scattering precious seeds of truth, and testified of the blessings received as they gave themselves to the work. Students and teachers joined heartily in this effort, the teachers being the leaders of the different companies sent out. We believe that this experience will prove a great blessing to our school spiritually.
Another great cause of rejoicing is the prospect of soon having the college relieved of its heavy burden of debt. A little over a year ago a plan was devised to accomplish this end, and we can hardly realize that within two months from now the college will be free from a debt of twenty-five thousand dollars, and also free from the interest that accumulates year by year. The date set for the consummation of this plan is Jan. 15, 1908. At this time we expect to sing the song of jubilee that might have been sung some years ago if we as a people had been faithful in the work with “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Taking everything into consideration, we believe that this school year will be the banner year in the work of the institution.
We believe that the increased attendance in our school is due to the fact that the Lord has set his hand to finish his work in the earth,—to prepare a people that will be ready to meet him in the near future; and that this work may be accomplished, he is, by his Spirit, impressing the hearts of the young people speedily to prepare to act their part in the closing work of the message.
Earnest efforts have been put forth to raise the standard of work in all the different departments of the institution. This calls for more thorough work on the part of both teachers and students, and also for better facilities in the various departments, especially in the normal and science departments. Students who have been in the school are pleased with the work done, and have advertised the work much more than could have been done by any other means.
We see no reason why there should not be a steady growth in the character of the work done, as well as a constant increase in the attendance. In this great Northwest there are hundreds of young people who ought to be in training for our special work.
The scholarship plan makes it possible for our youth to secure the advantages of our schools, and at the same time gives them an experience that will be helpful to them in preparing to be missionaries for God. All young men and women with average ability, who have a spirit of devotion and perseverance, can earn scholarships which will entitle them to the privileges and advantages of students who pay regular rates for board, room, and tuition. There are many who could begin this work now, and thus would have ample time to earn the scholarship before the opening of the school another year.
We feel grateful to God for the many omens of good that we see in connection with our school, and for the bright prospects for the future.
While the dormitories of the college are filled, we shall make arrangements to board and room all who may come to the school. A cottage is now being prepared for the overflow from the young ladies’ Home. All who are interested in attending the school can secure a calendar of the college by addressing the undersigned.
We shall be glad to hear from those who find it difficult to attend the college on account of limited means. It may be that we can help such by giving them some work to do. Let them write, and we will be glad to plan with them.
M. E. CADY.
Our School for Mexicans
By J. A. Leland
We have a work here that is just as truly foreign missionary work as though it were located a thousand miles from home. The Mexican people have been kept in dense ignorance for centuries by the Catholic Church, and the rays of light we have penetrate very slowly this pall of darkness. The condition of the people in this country is, in some respects, very much better than in the old country. Their habits of thought are different from ours, invariably. Their customs are also very widely different, and the language offers a barrier that few of our people are able to overcome. Nevertheless we find among them some who are true gold. Many among them are longing for the true light, and do not hesitate to accept it when they see it. A very large per cent of them can not read or write, especially the older ones. The younger generation attend the public schools and learn English, many of them forgetting, or never learning to read, their own tongue. As a result, the language which they speak is a corruption of English and Spanish. The teachers in the public schools, as a rule, do not understand Spanish, and so can not explain the lessons to the children in a way that will enable them to grasp the idea; and as a result they linger long years in the primary grades, and seldom get beyond them. As a rule they consider that a child of fourteen years is too old to attend school, and only a very small per cent of them go to school after that age.
Understanding these difficulties very fully, we saw the need of a school for the Mexican children, where they could get a training that would advance them more rapidly, and prepare them to meet the exigencies of life more intelligently.
Last year we began school with an attendance of sixteen children. The number soon increased to twenty-nine. We had children who had been in attendance at the public schools for five years, and yet were unable to take third-grade work intelligently. They could read in English a few lines, but were wholly unable to understand what they read. And as for reading in their own language, they never attempted it. After one year's work with our good books these same children were able to take a book and read in English and tell immediately in Spanish the meaning, and vice versa. They made good progress in number work and the various branches taken up in the school.
We hold our school in a building altogether unsuitable for such work. The ventilation is very poor, and the light wholly insufficient. There were great spaces in the floor, which rendered it impossible to keep the room warm.
This year we have planned a new schoolhouse, to be used as a church also. The Mexican brethren have pledged enough adobe bricks to make the walls, but we need some help. The building that we have planned will cost three hundred fifty dollars. We have about one hundred dollars, leaving two hundred fifty dollars to be raised.
Our foundation is already laid, and we have the adobe bricks ready to be laid in the walls; but before this can be done, we should have some of the woodwork to put into place.
Now a word about the school and the plan we have adopted. We make a regular charge of one dollar a month for each pupil; but we can not always carry out this plan, as we frequently find parents who have several children of school age, who are unable to pay one dollar a month for each child. Many of them work for the small sum of sixteen dollars a month. These are the problems that we have to contend with, and we invite your attention to them in the hope that you may be able to help us solve them. We have told the parents that if they will pay six dollars in advance, they may have a receipt in full for the year's tuition.
This year we began the school with an attendance of fifteen. Several new ones have come in, and others have promised to come later. The desks are made of boxes that we get at the grocery store. We nail legs to them to suit the height of the pupil, and then take blocks of wood from the wood-pile and make stools for them to sit on. We have three long benches that were used for meetings in a hall at one time; these we also use for seats.
The school is held in a room that is much more unsuitable than the one we had last year, but our last year's schoolhouse was rented, and we could not get it. In the room we have this year there is one door and one window, both on the same side of the room. The hole for the stovepipe is near the door, so it will be very dark when it is so cold as to render28it necessary to close the door. We hope to have sufficient funds to complete the new building before cold weather.
This is just as truly foreign missionary work as any work we can do, and it is a great pity that it has been so long neglected. We should have schools established where we can educate young men and women for the work of spreading this great message to the world, and then send them out from there to countries that speak their own tongue, and avoid the necessity of spending years to learn a foreign language. Let us take hold of this long-neglected work with new energy, and push it forward in the strength of the Lord. Any help will be greatly appreciated. My address is Albuquerque, N. M. J. A. LELAND.
Opening of the Keene (Tex.) Academy
By C. Sorenson
The fourteenth session of the Keene Academy opened Wednesday, October 16. The chapel was well filled for the opening exercises. After the Scripture reading and prayer, opportunity was given for those who had spent their vacation in some branch of the Lord’s cause to give an account of their experiences, and many responded. The larger number of these had been engaged in the canvassing work, while several had been doing Bible work and assisting in tent-meetings.
On account of the backwardness of the cotton crop a number of canvassers were not able to complete their deliveries in time to attend the opening. The general tenor of the testimonies showed that these students had a greater appreciation of the world’s need and of our responsibility than they had ever had before.
The enrolment during the opening days showed more than fifty per cent increase over that of the same week last year. One of the most encouraging features was the large number of former students present on the opening day.
Every room in the dormitory is occupied, and the greater part of two floors at the sanitarium building.
Now at the close of the first month the enrolment is one hundred eighty-five, while the greatest number enrolled last year was one hundred sixty-five. Our desire is that, as a school, our relation to the Lord may be such that we can have as marked an increase of his blessing attending our work.
C. SORENSON.
The Takoma (D. C.) School
By T. E. BOWEN
WE are glad to be able to report that the school being established here at Takoma Park, opened Monday morning, November 4, with fifty young people and children in attendance. Since the opening day several others have been enrolled, so that the two teachers in charge, with one assistant, have all they can do in the work of the school.
The services of Stanley Morian as principal, and Miss Sadie E. Clark, as teacher of the primary grades, have been secured. These teachers are both graduates of the South Lancaster Academy, and in addition have had considerable experience in conducting graded and church-schools. We feel pleased in being able to secure their services.
This is the youngest and smallest of the institutions being established here in Washington. It is really more than a church-school; for while it is doing thorough work for about forty students who properly come into the grades carried by our church-schools, yet beyond this we are prepared to carry the students up to and including the twelfth grade.
In addition to the three teachers mentioned above, an instructor in vocal music will conduct classes each day, also an experienced artist will give instruction once each week in drawing. Arrangements are also being perfected for the services of an experienced teacher in sloyd work, to give instruction once each week in practical work in wood and paper sloyd.
God has richly blessed this effort from the beginning in providing a place for our children and young people where they can be separated from the influences of the worldly schools, and have the benefit of Bible instruction from consecrated teachers who love and fear the Lord.
The building also provides at present a quiet place in the chapel above for the Takoma Park church to meet for Sabbath and prayer-meeting services, and for the young people to hold their meetings. This entire enterprise, so far, has been carried forward by the united efforts of the Takoma Park church. No outside help has been solicited. Just what God has in store as the future for this school we know not, but it is the purpose of those having the work in charge to be so guided by him that whatever his design may be, his will shall be done.
We hope soon to present the readers of the REVIEW with a picture of this addition to the Washington family group, together with a report of its dedicatory exercises. T. E. BOWEN.
