Pickering College - Voyageur Yearbook (Newmarket, Ontario Canada)

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THE VOYAGEUR 27 An Historical Sketch Pickering College has not had what one could call an easy founding. It has been subject to many diliieulties, but time and again it has struck back with increasing enthusiasm regardless of its losses through casualty or dissolution. Its progress 'has been due to the leader- ship and co-operation of men of tireless ability and great resources. liven flames and the Great VVar could not dampen the zeal the founders had for WEST LAKE SEMINARY the welfare of the college. Vile certain- ly owe a great debt of gratitude to those who have raised the college to the position and standard it holds to-day. The founding of VVest Lake Seminary, the predecessor of Pickering tfollege, was prompted by several existing circumstances. The Great Separation of 1827- 28 awakened The Friends to the fact that the following generation must be educated before taking over the responsibility of the great work already begun. The question of establishing a school for the study of the Scriptures was brought up by the Orthodox Friends when during the years of 1836-43 a number of denominational academies were founded. Mr. Joseph Gurney, the true founder of our school, succeeded in getting the plans under way by means of persuasive ideas and suitable scriptural quotations. This was backed up by the approval and financial help of the New York Yearly Meeting and subsequently the NVest Lake Boarding School was inaugurated in 1841. It was situated near Picton. and was quite a. success for a while, having an enrolment of sixty-three boys and forty-seven girls. However, this did not last long, as the Vilestern Friends failed in some of their responsibilities and in the financial support of the insti- tution. In 1878 the school was again opened as Pickering College, in Pickering, and for seven years was a great success, but another separation on the part of the Friends Society again closed the school. This time it was only temporary and a. few weeks later, as a result of the efforts of Mr. A. S. Rogers and Mr. J. R. Haines, the school resumed its course under the able supervision of Mr. Firth and his wife. But. the school seemed doomed to disaster. ln the winter of 1905 the entire building was gutted by fire and everyone who had seen the debts removed and success almost within its grasp had their hopes dashed to earth. But. the flame of vigor and enthusiasm could not be extinguished and the school opened its doors once more, this time at Newmarket. Once again the college began its climb for success, and once again all hopes were dashed. But the disaster that overcame the college this time overcame the whole world as well. It was the Great. VVar. Vnder the conditions, the Society of Friends. though pacifist, considered that it would be deemed a real service to offer the buildings to the Government for use during the period. So, the school and equipment was handed over as a hospital for shell-shocked soldiers, and was not returned for three years succeeding the close of the war. For the next five or six years the buildings remained idle. until the Trustees decided to re-open the school for boys only. the former co-educational idea being dropped. It was to be a school of old traditions and new ideals. It planned to turn out men with a sound general education where knowledge of work in con-

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28 THE VOYAGEUR junction with a large farm and Well equipped craftshop could be obtained. It planned a Canadian education encouraging manual hobbies and pastimes. . Thus Pickering College is re-opened, confident in the fact that there is a still further contribution that it can make to the cause of education in this province. We feel certain that, under the competent direction of the Trustees, Mr. A. S. Rogers, and our capable and efficient Headmaster, Mr. Joseph Mc- Culley, the school will send out men, not only of outstanding character and Wide academic knowledge, but men who will be well known for their honourable Work and a real credit to the school. LLOYD BELL. Meditation Sun.set. Another dag is ended, This our second dag of Spring. A great flaming ball of fire Sinking outof sight Behind the distant clear-cut hills. A blue abyss above And two thin quivering clouds Suspended in the heavens Beautiful in their blue-violet colouring. Down below faint ruddy tints On the peaceful pond, lllhich is still barren with 'winter-waste, But beautiful in a peculiar way W ith the last rags of the sun. And now it is gone. Along the line of western hills Only a red glow remains. Silence reigns Save for the twittering of a bird Bidding farewell to the departed dag. And from a distant farm The mournful howl of a dog Baging the rising vnoon. Darkness settles over the earth. Night has come.