“ Lord, make my loving a guard to them,
Day and night;
Let never pathway be hard to them,
Keep all bright!
Let not a stone or a thorn for them
Wound their ease,
All of the pain I have borne for them
Spare to these!”
So I would pray for them,Kneeling to God,Night and day for them.
“ Lord, let the griefs life must bring to them
Make them strong,
Keep their hearts white though pain cling to them
Their life long.
Let all the joys thou dost keep from them
At thy will,
Give them the power to reap from them
Courage still!”
So I must ask for them,Leaving to GodHis good task for them.
—Margaret Widdemer.
Conducted by Mrs. I. H. Evans, Takoma Park, Washington D. C
By Mrs. I. H. Evans; Miss Lora E. Clement
Assisted by Miss Lora E. Clement
Through the columns of this department, hints will be given on all matters pertaining to the home life. Short articles and letters are solicited from home makers, telling of their everyday experiences,—their joys and sorrows, their failures and successes.
Personal Appearance
By Martha E. Warner
MARTHA E. WARNER
One day a dainty girl shared my seat on the trolley car for several miles. She looked so pretty I could not but admire her; but as she handed the conductor her fare, I glanced at her hands, and received a mental shock. Her nails were dressed in mourning.
On the opposite side sat a very attractive girl, but in her veil was a tiny hole, and another was in her glove.
The car began to fill. One woman came in with two buttons gone from her coat. On another woman two pins took the place of the two missing buttons on the back of her waist.
All trifles, I will admit; yet they serve as an index to the character.
Carefulness in dress is an important item, especially in Sabbath keepers, that a right impression may be made upon those with whom we come in contact. Some feel that we are living too near our Lord’s return to give any thought to dress. Yet the dress is a sermon of itself. It will be a recommendation of the truth to unbelievers.
Our God is a God of order; and he would have order, neatness, and cleanliness a characteristic of his people.
Clintonville, Conn.
Southeastern California
By W. F. MARTIN
At a meeting held in Los Angeles, Feb. 18-23, 1915, it was decided by the delegates assembled to divide the Southern California Conference. The portion that was set off included the counties of San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, San Diego, and Orange. This new conference was given the name Southeastern California Conference. The portion remaining retained the name Southern California Conference.
There were given to the Southeastern California Conference twenty-seven churches, with a membership of 1,652. These churches paid in 1914 a tithe of $35,379.86.
Loma Linda and Paradise Valley Sanitariums are located in this conference. The Fernando Academy is situated in the Southern California Conference, but is the academy for both conferences.
The writer was chosen president of the new conference, and J. C. McReynolds secretary and treasurer. March 9 the writer left his former place of labor in the North Pacific Union and came to this conference. Soon after, it was decided to locate the conference headquarters at Santa Ana, a fine little city of fourteen thousand people, situated thirty-four miles south of Los Angeles.
The conference has a varied climate. There is no season of the year that a tent meeting cannot be held in some part of the conference. During the summer we had three tent companies in the field. These all had good success. Elder L. E. Brant headed a company at Rialto, in the San Bernardino Valley. Elder R. S. Owen conducted a strong effort in San Diego, with a good company, and Elder C. F. Folkenberg and his helpers held a meeting at Anaheim, in Orange County.
During the nine months since the organization of the conference, the Lord has blessed us both spiritually and financially, as manifested in the number who have accepted the truth, and the amount of tithe and offerings received. The records show that in this field there have been 259 additions to the various churches. Of these, 219 have been by baptism; the others have been received on profession of faith. In addition to these, we know of a number who are keeping the Sabbath but have not yet united with the church. The stringency in the money market has been very evident in this section, and yet our people have shown a liberal spirit. The tithe has been larger than last year. For the nine months there has been paid in tithe $26,939.63. The offerings on the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund are not quite up to the goal, but we are determined to reach it before the end of the year.
Our camp meeting was held at Huntington Beach. We rented a “tent city,” with tents pitched, floored, and lighted. A large auditorium, and buildings for office, store, cafeteria, and lunch room were already on the ground. This saved the work of pitching the camp and taking it down. The meeting was a most excellent one. It was a great spiritual feast to our own people, and a good impression was made on the people of the town. Three hundred tents were filled the latter part of the meeting. All the expenses of the meeting were met from the proceeds of tent rent and the income from the store and the cafeteria, and we had a surplus of nearly seven hundred dollars. Thirty-four were baptized during the meeting.
Although our territory is not large, and a great deal of work has been done, yet this is still a fruitful field; and as it is filling up rapidly, there are always a number who have not come in contact with the truths of the message, and that makes an open field for labor. We feel to thank the Lord for his prospering care, and the success and blessing that have thus far attended the work in our conference. We take courage and go forward.
W. F. MARTIN.
West Texas
By C. J. Buhalts
At the beginning of the year we had a church membership of two hundred and thirty-eight. It is more than three hundred now. We have three ordained ministers, but one has not been able to do much for the last year on account of impaired health. Two new churches have been organized, one new church building has been erected, and another is in process of erection.
Our people are of good courage, although there have been many things to try them. A bountiful cotton crop was raised last year, but little was received for it, so many of our people are in difficult circumstances financially, and a number have lost their farms. This has made our tithe and offerings fall short.
We have much to encourage us in regard to our canvassing work. Part of the time this year we nearly doubled the usual number of canvassers in the field. Half these workers delivered about ninety per cent of their books, and the others fifty per cent. There is a good showing for our book work. I have just received a letter from one of our brethren which shows that his heart is in the work. I will quote a part of it:—
“I have written Brother McMullen for twenty-five Harvest Ingathering Signs, and shall do what I can. If I do not receive any contributions, I shall send twenty-five cents for each paper myself. I also hope to pay my part of the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund. I shall send my tithe to Brother McMullen as I sell my cotton. I do desire to have some part in the greatest message on earth.”
If all would do this well, we should not be behind on tithes and offerings.
C. J. BUHALTS.
Oklahoma Conference
By John Isaac
THE fall tent season has just ended in Oklahoma; and although it has been unusually rainy, which has to some extent hindered the tent meetings, the efforts were carried on to the usual fall closing time, in the latter part of October. These meetings have been blessed with a harvest of souls for the kingdom. Many are inquiring concerning the truth. They have heard or read of our teaching regarding the present-day events and the conditions that exist in the world today, and are calling for help and enlightenment on these important topics. The religious movement with reference to Sunday labor is also causing some interest at the present time.
It seems that we have reached the time when our work must be done quickly. The opposing elements are growing stronger, and are coming more boldly to the front, and we feel that a time of trouble is awaiting this cause in the near future.
We have now organized for the winter campaign. Every church and company, and, as far as possible, the isolated members, will be visited by a minister who will take time to give such help and instruction on every phase of our work as may be needed. We believe that this will prove a great blessing to the people, and to the work in general. But this will not lessen our efforts to push out into new fields.
The work in the conference is making good progress. Special efforts are being put forth by the whole working force, lay members as well as conference laborers, in the home missionary work. A home missionary secretary has been elected to devote his entire time to this work. Good results are already seen from this move.
The educational and Missionary Volunteer work this year began with brighter prospects than in any previous year. The majority of the schools opened earlier than usual. The educational work is coming up a little higher each year, and receives a good recommendation from the public schools throughout the State. Libraries have been started in a number of schools, and Missionary Volunteer Societies organized. The young people of these societies are taking hold of the Reading Courses and the Standard of Attainment with much interest.
The book work in this conference has made wonderful progress this year. The only thing that we have to regret is that we did not have more books to deliver this fall. Most of the colporteurs have delivered from eighty to one hundred per cent of their books. As a result of18this year's work, we have students who have earned scholarships in the Loma Linda College, Clinton German Seminary, Washington Missionary College, and Keene Academy. Most of our bookmen have been having good experiences, and they report that they never saw the people more anxious for their books than they have been this year.
The financial outlook in the conference is good. We are expecting an increase of tithe, as well as of Sabbath school donations and offerings to missions, far in excess of last year's record. The Lord has wonderfully blessed us in every way.
JOHN ISAAC.
The Master’s Touch
In the still air the music lies unheard;
In the rough marble beauty lies unseen;
To make the music and the beauty needs
The master’s touch, the sculptor’s chisel keen.
Great Master, touch us with thy skillful hand;
Let not the music that is in us die.
Great Sculptor, hew and polish us, nor let,
Hidden and lost, thy form within us lie.
Spare not the stroke! do with us as thou wilt!
Let there be naught unfinished, broken, marred;
Complete thy purpose, that we may become
Thy perfect image, thou our God and Lord.
— Selected.
Minnesota
We have great reason to thank God for the progress made in our conference thus far this year. We can say, “Truly God is good to Israel.” We know it is not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of God that this conference is able to make a favorable showing.
We have felt that the first and all-absorbing aim to keep before us is the doing of great things for God in personal soul winning. Although we have not accomplished all that we desired, the efforts of our laborers have not been without results; for, during the first three quarters of the year, 183 persons have been baptized, and many others have been led to begin the observance of the Sabbath. Several companies have been organized, and some are now being prepared for church organization.
Our people have shown their continued interest in the proclamation of the message to all the world, by their constant gifts to missions. At the close of September we were over $1,400 ahead on our quota, and we have every reason to believe that we shall easily reach more than the full amount by the close of the year.
The work in evangelistic canvassing is going on with commendable increase over last year’s record. The weather for the most part has been very unfavorable; but our faithful colporteurs have toiled on, and their sales amount to over $19,000 in nine months. We expect these figures will be augmented by several dollars before the year closes.
The integrity of our people in the paying of tithe is shown by the fact that our tithe receipts are already nearing the amount paid in for the full twelve months last year. At the end of the third quarter we had received $38,000.
We are having a splendid attendance at our academy. The students seem to be taking more than ordinary interest in their work, and we are glad to report an increase in the number of church schools. Three buildings have been erected this summer for this purpose.
The Sabbath school and missionary Volunteer departments are important factors in our conferences. Each has its field of usefulness and operation, and is a great strength to our church work. There seems to be a growing interest in the lesson studies prepared, and thus spiritual help is received.
The offerings to missions in the Sabbath school department have already reached over $7,000. This is some more than we received last year at this time.
We have not seen all the progress we desired in the home missionary department. It is a vital question to get all our people into active service for the Master. When this is done, it will solve many problems for us. When all our people will spend some time in personal soul saving, and unite their efforts with the ministry, the message will soon be finished and our Lord will come.
We can say, however, that many periodicals have been sold and given away, also thousands of pages of tracts have been placed in the hands of the people. The Harvest Ingathering campaign has been entered into with earnestness, and our churches are taking hold of the work even better than last year.
We are thankful to our Heavenly Father for the corps of faithful laborers we have, and appreciate the blessings God has bestowed upon us all. It is a great privilege to be a coworker with our Lord in carrying this blessed message to mankind.
Manitoba
By E. M. Chapman
AFTER our good camp meeting held at Brandon last summer, we tried to spread our small force of workers over the field in such a way as to reach the greatest number of persons possible. We have only three ordained and two licensed men—a very small force compared to the needs of the field.
Elder H. J. Dirksen, our German worker, before leaving for Oregon, endeavored to finish the work he had started in Morden, and spent some time in visiting the German brethren in the province. As a result of his effort, four were baptized.
Brother David Guldbrandson, who recently came to work for the Icelandic people in Winnipeg, has made a good start. One sister has been baptized, and her son is attending our school at Hutchinson, Minn. We expect soon to organize an Icelandic church in Winnipeg.
Elder V. W. Robb and wife were requested to work at Swan River, and were accompanied to this place by Frank Finch and wife, of Brandon. These young people rendered good help in the tent effort. Failing to get the hearing they desired, they moved to Dauphin, a city of considerable size, where the interest was better. They are still at this place, and expect to organize a church soon. At Swan River three began the observance of the Sabbath, and at Dauphin seven have signed the covenant, and others are expected to do so soon.
Brother G. R. Soper and wife pitched their tent in Minitonas, but later it was thought best for him to move to Swan River, where he could follow up the interest in the town and also in the surrounding country.
The writer and his family pitched a tent in Rivers. We have found it quite difficult to get a congregation, but by patient continuance we have found some interested ones. We have baptized five, and several others are keeping the Sabbath.
Five have been baptized into the Winnipeg church, and one brother who had formerly been baptized has united with the church.
The total number baptized since camp meeting is twenty-four, and there are almost as many more observing the Sabbath who have not yet received baptism.
The Sabbath school work is onward, three new schools have been started, and Sister Robb is working faithfully to keep all the schools up to the standard set by the Sabbath School Department. We are also doing what we can to build up the young people's work.
While we may not have a large report, we are of good courage, for we know this is the Lord's work, and that he is preparing honest hearts to receive his word. Pray for us that we may work wisely.
E. M. CHAPMAN.
Northwestern California Conference
By J. ADAMS STEVENS
The Northwestern California Conference was organized at a joint session of the California, Central California, and Northern California Conferences, held at Oakland, Feb. 4-9, 1915. The conference territory embraces the counties of Solano, Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, Trinity, Humboldt, and Del Norte, with a population of 201,823.
The conference was organized with twenty-one churches, with a membership of 1,261, whose tithe for 1914 had been $20,758.96. The conference office is located at Santa Rosa. With the exception of the young people's and home missionary secretary, all the departmental19secretaries are shared with the California Conference. The Northwestern California Missionary Society is operated in conjunction with the California Bible House at Oakland, and the same camp meeting equipment serves both conferences.
Inasmuch as the actual division did not take place until April 1, and some of the laborers could not be released until May 1, a large part of the year had passed before active field work could be started. It has taken time, also, for the conference to adjust itself to the new order of things. However, the people have had a mind to work, and the blessing of God has rested upon the workers, and encouraging progress has been made.
The reports for the third quarter show that 132 have been baptized since January 1. Tithe increase amounts to $1,841.54, and the offerings to missions average about fifteen cents a member. There are twelve young people's societies, an increase of five; also fifteen home missionary societies, an increase of six. The church schools have opened with increased attendance, and one new school has been started, making ten schools in the conference. It has been necessary for two schools to employ an extra teacher. Several colporteurs have been at work this summer, and a large amount of other literature has been circulated.
The churches have entered the Harvest Ingathering campaign with enthusiasm, and we fully expect to reach the goal set for our mission offerings. Everything indicates that we have reached the time when we should invest heavily in God's closing work. Now while there is peace and comparative plenty in our nation, is our greatest opportunity to hasten the triumph of the everlasting gospel, and the spirit of the message is stirring our people to do their part.
J. ADAMS STEVENS.
A Young People's Convention
By C. L. STONE
On Sabbath, October 23, a very practical and helpful convention was held at the First Seventh-day Adventist Church of Pittsburgh, in the interest of the Missionary Volunteer Societies. Elder Ulrich, the Missionary Volunteer secretary of the West Pennsylvania Conference, presided in the meetings.
In the morning services the topics presented were as follows: Object of the Missionary Volunteer Societies; Relation of the Missionary Volunteer Society to the Church; Educational Features of the Missionary Volunteer Work; Work of the Missionary Volunteer Leader and Secretary; Lines of Work Our Young People Can Do; Social Life of Our Young People.
After each topic had been presented, the subject was thrown open for discussion. A lively interest was manifested by all present. Appropriate songs were interspersed throughout the program, and none seemed to tire of the meeting, although it lasted fully two hours.
In the afternoon the local society held its regular meeting, to demonstrate what a live society can accomplish. In addition to the secretary's report and the prepared program for the hour, there was a season of sentence prayers, with a testimony meeting, in which nearly all present took part. The secretary's report and the report of band leaders gave clear indications that this society is doing earnest work to hasten the coming of Christ. Each month two thousand copies of the Present Truth Series are distributed. The society takes fifteen copies of the weekly Signs and a club of all our principal periodicals, for the use of its members. Ten members of this society are away at school this year.
Demonstrations were also given of the method of distributing the literature, of sending it through the mail, and of carrying on the correspondence.
At the close of the day all felt that it had been a most profitable occasion, and determined to do more for those around them.
C. L. STONE.
The Work Among the Jewish People
By Frederick C. Gilbert
It is certainly encouraging to know that our people are taking more interest in the Jewish people as they become acquainted with the ways of these children of Abraham. This is as it should be. It is true the Jews are a peculiar people; but the better we come to know them, the better we understand the great need these people have of the gospel.
As our people come in contact with the Jews, especially in the Harvest Ingathering work, they have many interesting experiences. As is known, the Jews bitterly resent the idea of missionary work. In fact, the less said to them about missionary work the better one will get along with them. The reason is that Russia and Rome, the two nations which have most bitterly persecuted the Jews, claim to do much missionary work. As our people go to the Jews and tell them of the work we are doing in enlightening the world on the Sabbath question, they are at once interested, and are willing to contribute of their means to people who are agitating the question of the Sabbath. They admit that the Sabbath is right; but their conditions are such that they find it difficult to observe it. Still they are glad to find a people who are interested enough in the Old Testament to bring the truth of the Sabbath before the world. A number of our people have found the Jews willing and glad to assist in this good work, when they learned that the solicitors were Sabbath-keeping Christians.
We hope that our people everywhere, as they visit their Jewish friends and neighbors, will remember to impress upon them the fact that one strong feature of our work is to enlighten everybody, black or white, rich or poor, Jew or Gentile; that God is particular today that men should observe the seventh day as the Sabbath of the Lord. They should also remember to tell them that they observe the Sabbath of the Lord, the seventh day, not because the Jews kept it or keep it, but because the Holy Messiah, the Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth, told all his followers to walk in his footsteps, and Jesus was a devout Sabbath keeper.
Our brethren and sisters often find that as they go to the Jews and tell them about our work, many of them, not being able to read the English language, wish reading matter in their own language. As our people ask for offerings for our work, the Jews inquire, “Have you not any literature in the Jewish language?” We wish to say to our people that a few months ago there was published the first number of a magazine in the Yiddish language, which is the language spoken by more than two million Jews in this country. In the places where the attention of the Jews has been called to this publication, many of them have expressed deep interest. If the demand for the magazine is sufficient, we plan to get out another number soon. The title of the magazine is The Old Candle on a New Candlestick. You can secure the magazine through the tract society; or if you desire a copy to give to a friend, send five cents to the Good Tidings Press. There is an English typewritten index prepared for those who desire to know its contents.
The Lord has blessed the evangelistic work the past season, and several Jews began keeping the Sabbath while I was in Buffalo. One woman has had some bitter trials as a result, but in a letter written a few days ago she said she was about ready for baptism. One sister was baptized by Elder K. C. Russell in Malden, Mass., two weeks ago, and a Jew and his wife were baptized a short time ago by one of our brethren in the West.
We must keep right on sowing the seed among this people. We hope that our brethren and sisters will do all they can to get literature in the hands of the Jews. This is one of the strongest agencies we have to work with among this people. It is very hard to get them out to meetings, or to enter their homes to converse on the subject of the gospel. But they will read, and especially will they read the literature published by Sabbath keepers.
We are glad to state that at the present time there are seven Jewish young people attending the South Lancaster Academy, and during the past summer I had one Jewish young man with me in the Bible work. There was one other young man in the canvassing work in New York. We trust the Lord will raise up more workers among this people.
Let us pray and labor for the lost sheep of the house of Israel. All correspondence for the Jewish work should be addressed to the writer, at South Lancaster, Mass. F. C. GILBERT.
Educational Department
By W. C. John
FREDERICK GRIGGS — General Secretary
W. E. HOWELL — N. Am. Div. Asst. Secretary
The Opening of the School Year of 1915-16
[These reports from our various schools were begun in the REVIEW of October 28.]
Prof. C. W. Irwin, of Pacific Union College, St. Helena, Cal., writes: “Within a month after the opening of school, the enrollment reached 240 in the academic and collegiate departments. The interest in the spiritual and missionary phases of our work is good, as shown by the fact that a satisfactory number of students have enrolled in each of the four bands composing the Missionary Volunteer Society. The numbers are as follows: Prayer bands, 84; foreign mission band, 60; literature and correspondence band, 28; ministerial band, 10. Eighty-five have volunteered to engage in the Harvest Ingathering campaign.”
J. H. Paap, principal of Lodi (Cal.) Academy: “Lodi Academy began another school year September 28. We were glad to have with us Elder E. W. Farnsworth and Prof. M. E. Cady, of the Pacific Union. Our enrollment for the first week has reached eighty-four in the academic, and sixty-five in the church school. This attendance is a little stronger in the academic grades than last year, but less in the church school. We are much encouraged by the general character of the students. We expect a few others to enroll in the next week who at present are working in the fruit harvest. The spiritual condition among our students is good. At our first Friday evening meeting every student stood, expressing his consecration to the message.”
A. F. Schmidt, of the Sheyenne River Academy, Harvey, N. Dak., writes: “The enrollment during the first week of our school this year is only forty-six. Last year it was sixty-five. The reason for this is that the late crops in North Dakota have kept our young people from being present at the beginning. Out of our sixteen students who were out in the canvassing field during the summer, six have earned scholarships. The prospects for a larger enrollment than we had last year are very favorable. The new dormitory, which is nearly completed, will be appreciated by the young people, for heretofore they have been crowded. I believe that I never saw a more earnest class of students than we have here this year. They all seem to have come with the purpose of gaining a speedy preparation for work in the cause of God. The spiritual condition at the opening of school was very good. In the Friday evening prayer and social meeting, there was greater freedom than we have experienced in previous years at the opening of school.”
T. D. Rowe, principal of Buena Vista Academy, Ontario, reports: “Our school opened with an attendance a little larger than that of last year. From the first, an excellent spirit has been manifested. During the first month of school seven were baptized. This is the first year we have attempted to do definite practical20normal work. Under the guidance of Miss Johnston, our normal director, we have an excellent class of young people who are preparing to become teachers. Notwithstanding the depression caused by the war, the Lord is blessing us financially. As teachers, we look forward to the time when our students will be active workers in this and other lands.”
Glen Wakeham, principal of Stanborough Park Missionary College, England, writes: “The college opened with an enrollment of 65, an increase of seven over last year’s opening. The enrollment has since risen to 85, which is a record number for the institution. Twelve students, among them one young woman, are attending college on scholarships. A great effort was made to get all the students in promptly at the opening, and this was largely successful, so that only one or two more are expected. The college home is already quite full. With two exceptions all the students are baptized church members, and all these are preparing for home or foreign missionary work. The spiritual atmosphere in the institution is excellent. Most of the students are manifesting a quiet yet earnest enthusiasm in their work, and we have reason to expect a most successful year.”
D. C. Ludington reports concerning the school work in Burma: “The name of our school in Burma is the Meiktila Technical School. We have just opened another school in Mandalay, under the direction of Miss Elsie Lonsdale. Most of the children are Buddhists. The Meiktila school is a mission school. Only one boy has Adventist parents. We carry work corresponding to the eight grades at home. Both English and Burmese are taught. In connection with the literary training, carpentry, sloyd, shoe and all leather work, and cane furniture making, as well as agriculture, are taught. Two hours a day are required in trades. Our industries are supported by the sale of the completed articles. The average yearly enrollment is about sixty, and the average age of the pupils is twelve to twenty. The boys are beginning to accept Jesus. Eight have been baptized this year so far. A number will soon be ready for work. Four are actively engaged at present, while others spend their vacation in the canvassing work. There are four teachers in the school besides the superintendent, who have government certificates for teaching. We are of good courage.”
The following letter from Brother Floyd E. Bates regarding the plans for school work in Amoy, China, is of interest: “The great problem of education in China is one which demands greater attention now than ever before. Here in Amoy Adventist students cannot attend the schools of other denominations, and we have no school of our own. We have students of about the tenth grade, and we must meet the new demands made upon us by the closing of other schools to our students. It is partially on account of this action that we are especially anxious to have a first-rate school here for the benefit of our young men, the future workers in this part of the world. Our attendance will comprise largely young converts or sons of church members, who will be in school with the idea of preparing for active missionary work among their own people. We hope to make the school so efficient as to draw students of other classes also. In age the pupils will range from fourteen up, and as to classification — well, that is a very hard question. It is probable that a large percentage of them will be able to read at least a little, and some will know how to write a limited number of characters; but as to what we term the common branches, they will be absolutely ignorant. The Chinese language has no grammar, so that very important member of the common branches will be entirely eliminated from the course of study here. Practically all that is taught in the outschools which we are operating is Bible and Chinese. This condition we are very anxious to change. But before we can do that, some must be educated and trained so they can teach the other branches; so all points to the need of this one training school. The length of time that the students will be with us is very uncertain. We shall try to keep them at least two years, and more, if possible. We are putting up good buildings, with room enough to accommodate fifty or sixty pupils, to be finished about the first of the year. We expect to open the school as soon as they are finished.”
E. D. Dick, principal of the Alberta Industrial Academy, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada, reports: “School opened October 13, under most favorable conditions. Though the enrollment for the first week was not what we had hoped, the spiritual condition of the school is very satisfactory. Eighty-five students are at present enrolled, thirty of whom are in the church school. Our small enrollment is readily explained by the weather conditions throughout the province. On account of the late threshing, our canvassers are not in from the field, the delivery of their books being greatly hindered. Last year one hundred and eighty-one students were enrolled, and we think that the total enrollment this year will be as good, or perhaps better. A new church school building is practically finished, and satisfactory work is planned in this department. To meet the needs of our educational work in the province, an elementary normal course has been opened, and encouraging progress is being made in this line. In view of the strenuous times, we feel that the spiritual condition of the student body was never better. All seem to be here with the one purpose of fitting themselves for definite service in the Master’s cause.”
Dr. M. E. Olsen, in the absence of President Shaw, who is attending the fall council at Loma Linda, sends us the following words concerning Washington Missionary College: “They took us by storm, those two hundred and fifty-odd students that flocked into our buildings and upon our grounds in the opening weeks of the present school year. And then for a few days a number of men occupied two rows of tents out on the campus. Later these young men found very good accommodations in West Cottage, a new dormitory rented from the Sanitarium. And still the students kept coming. The preceptor and matron racked their brains to think of a place to put them. Rooms were rented presently in houses in the neighborhood, and in this way some were accommodated. The chapel has been seated with chairs in all three aisles, on both sides of the rostrum, and in front, and the doors have been removed in order that future students may be seated in the hall.” We are very thankful for the large attendance of earnest, consecrated young people, and we trust that by another year we can find room for an even larger number of students. Already the board is laying definite plans for ample enlargements of the buildings, and for increasing the equipment so as fully to meet the growing demands. The advanced students are enjoying the opportunities offered by the Library of Congress and the National Museum. The ministerial section has already begun its practical work, under the direction of Elder Votaw, in the towns and suburbs adjacent, with tokens of success. Altogether, we think that the students are making rapid progress in character building as well as in their studies.”
C. C. Lewis, principal of the Fireside Correspondence School, says: “We are glad to note an increasing interest in the work of the Fireside Correspondence School. Our enrollment of new students for 1915 has already reached 171, and the number of certificates sent out for subjects completed is already 54. This number is larger than that of any other year since the school began, and it will be considerably increased before the close of the year. The General Conference Department of Missionary Volunteers has placed before the workers in that organization, as a prominent feature of their work this fall, the effort to get every young person who cannot attend one of our resident schools, to take up one or more studies in the Correspondence School. That this effort is bringing results is seen by an order for thirteen hundred copies of our leaflet entitled ‘The Fireside Correspondence School in a Nutshell,’ from the secretary of the Nebraska Young People’s Department, and another for one thousand copies from the New Jersey Conference. A number of new studies have recently been added, including logic, and Bible studies for the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh grades. One of our students is a prisoner of war in the island of Malta, but he has just sent in, under those conditions, the last ten lessons of the course in second-year Greek. One of our colleges, not wishing to organize a class for only two students in second-year Greek, arranged with the Correspondence School to conduct this work for them through correspondence. Thus the mission of the Fireside Correspondence School is gradually being extended to the homes of our people, among our advanced schools, and in regions beyond.”
Our Educational Progress
The reports of the educational work given in recent numbers of the REVIEW are of a nature to give the church greatly increased confidence in the outcome of the work committed to its charge.
In spite of the greatest of world crises, when uncertainty and distress are everywhere in evidence, we see almost without exception a marked increase in attendance at our schools, and a deeper appreciation of the meaning of Christian education for this time. The trend of our college reports indicates a large increase of mature students who are fitting themselves for efficient work in the Master’s cause. The news from the academies and intermediate schools is full of promise. Our younger boys and girls, as well as those who are more mature,21are beginning to feel the need of thorough Christian training.
Our buildings and equipment are fast becoming inadequate to meet the demands made on them. The increasing number of students earning scholarships by the sale of our literature indicates that this plan is growing more and more useful, not only because of its financial features, but also for its value in pointing out those who are sincere and earnest in their missionary educational purposes.
Now that the fall opening has past, it behooves every Adventist youth who cannot attend our regular schools to enroll in the extension department of our school system, the Fireside Correspondence School.
No young man or young woman who can obtain fifteen dollars and can find one hour a day for study, should overlook the opportunity for definite self-improvement. The rapidly increasing enrollment of this school, as well as the large number who are completing the different courses, goes to show that the work of the school is fully satisfactory with respect to method, content of subject matter, and control of scholarship.
The Lord, in his wise providence, has ordained these educational agencies for developing a noble and devoted company of youth who will be willing and capable instruments in his hands for the salvation of many souls.