Atlantic Union College - Minuteman Yearbook (South Lancaster, MA)

Page 17 text:

9 m f ,2. . f 'ff -' , Y .if si WILLIAM G. WIRTH MAHLQN E. OLSEN 1916-1917 1917-1920 .L GEORGE R. LEHMAN OTTO M- JOHN 1920-1921 19-28' 13 I ......-r'-.-...-41-ew......--....,-.

Page 16 text:

,T - 4? we JOSHWiH.HAUGHEY 1894- 1 S99 BENJAMIN P. MACI-ILAN 1 1007-'OQ, 1913-'16, 19:1-'28 1 if Lgunas. ,- X 1 FREDERICK GRIGGS 1399-1907 CHARLES S. LONGACRE 19094913 12

Page 18 text:

.Q F L wx V , J. L' 6 ,, A ,. lgiinglltamdl Sclirtoiol BY ELDER B. L. WHITNEY tRezJz'ew and Herald, October 24, 18825 As it has recently been my privilege to spend a week at Southlsancaster, Mass., it may be proper for me to speak of the impressions received while observing the practical working of the school recently established there. Feeling a deep interest in the school from its 'first establishment, 'I took the greater satisfaction in closely watching its working, in order to decide for myself as to the real measure of success which has attended it thus far, and I must say that in what I have seen, I have been happily disappointed. First, as to the school as a school, independently of the special advantages which it confers. That it is altogether different from the ordinary school, no one could doubt who has had opportunity to observe its working. The object ,of the teachers is to lead the student to think for himself, rather than to memorize the facts and rules laid down in text books, which, unless kept in constant use, are soon forgotten, and are really of no practical value to him. Witla many of our people, the idea prevails that we have plenty of good schools all through the country, so far as their general system of instruction is concerned, and, to the particular feature of our denominational schools would be the religious influence with which the pupils are surrounded. While the advantages of such influence cannot be over-estimated, I feel very confident that no one of intelligence could witness the operation of this school, attending the recitations and work of the study hours during which the students are under the supervision and assistance of the teachers, without being convinced that, as a school for the acquirement of true knowledge, which may be made of practical value in life, this school is far superior to the best grades of our public schools. The popular system of education may accomplish greater seeming results, and is, indeed, better calculated to stimulate, and to encourage false and worldly ambition on the part of the student in a display of what he has learned, and in that he may have it to say that he has gone through with a certain course of study: but in practical results, in fitting young men and women for useful- ness in the cause of God, I believe the methods of instruction employed here are above comparison. with those of other schools. Then, to speak of the special features of the school, it seems to me to come the nearest to the model of a well regulated family of any I have ever seen. From five o'clock in the morning, the hour of rising, 'till nine at night, every hour has its specific employment, and every one understands his duty for the hour, and is held responsible for its discharge. Order, system, and thorough- ness are thus brought in as a part of the education of the students, and it is in- deed surprising to see what results have been accomplished in even the brief period since the commencement of last term. ' During the working hours, of which there are three at different times during 'the day. all thelstudents, from oldest to youngest, are expected to engage in .such labor as is assigned to them, and the promptness and cheerful alacrity with which they come to this part of the day's programme is remark- 14