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

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Ng. Q 5 1 i all 'I ' -.1 r df! able, and attests more fully than any argument could, the practical value of a system which combines systematic physical labor with study in the routine of student life. The board of trustees has -made arrangements so that reasonable remuneration is made for such labor as is of value, so that students are thus by faithful industry, able materially to reduce their expenses at school. The benefit gained by the practical education in habits of regular, systematic in- dustry secured by this course is worth manyfold the mere pecuniary advantage to be gained thereafter. The constant attention required from the teachers for sixteen hours of each day, in order to carry out this plan, would seemingly be a heavy tax upon their strength, and yet it was the uniform testimony of the teachers that they iind their labor not more wearying under this system than under the old methods. Prof. Bell reports that he has endured theilabor of the present term thus far much better than he anticipated, and his interest and courage in the Work are increasing. But the chief feature of interest in the school, the one to my mind of more importance than all others, is the religious ,interest manifested among the pupils: and that, too, without any special effort to create a religious excite- ment, but coming, rather, as an outgrowth of the constant effort to impress upon the students the idea that a truly religious life is the point to which all education and discipline should tend. The regular Bible lessons of each day in which all the pupils join, have a marked influence in molding the character of the school in this direction. The morning and evening prayers, at which all kneel. whether professors of religion or not, the familiar talks with the students concerning the importance of devoting the life to the service of God, the evident faith of the teachers, freely expressed, that the pupils under their charge will, under the favorable surroundings, yield themselves to this service,-all these influences, working in harmony with the Spirit of God, have resulted in the awakening of a deep religious interest most gratifying to witness. This has manifested itself, not only in an increased earnestness on the part of those already making a profession of religion, but among those who came there unconverted, some of the students having recently made a profession of religion for the first time. On Sunday, Cct. 8, nine were baptized by Elder Robinson. The students all attend the regular weekly prayer-meeting of the church, and are all members of the Sabbath-school, in which there seems to be an excellent interest. Altogether, one is strongly impressed that what has been done could not have been accomplished without the signal blessings of God. His special blessing l most assuredly believe, has rested upon the effort put forth here to carry out the instruction which the Lord has seen fit to give upon the subject of education, and so long as these principles are carried out we shall look for a continuance of the prosperity that has thus far attended the school. Never has my heart been so impressed with the possibilities for usefulness before the youth, if they will devote their lives to the service of God, or with a sense of the willingness of God to bless and help them in the work, as while witnessing what I have seen of the work of the Spirit of God on the hearts of these students. l felt that the experience of the week was a valuable one to me. I thank God that in his providence such a school has been established, and l can but hope that the time is not far distant when other schools of like character shall be established among our people. 15

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.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

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