The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-11-20
DEFENSE OF RAJA YOGI
BYITS SUPERINTENDENT
Dr.. Van Pelt Says Institution
IS Misunderstood

Dr- Van Pelt. superintendent OF Jh"
Raja Yogi School, at Point Iona, Cal,
has sent to the Treasury Department q
statement in support Of the institution
as part of is defense in the rehearing
soon TO be given the Tingley colony in
the Cuban school children case.
Dr. Van Pelt says i'm part. There
has been more OF less querying as 10
why children are brought from such a
distance as Cuba 10 the Lotus Home ~
Point Iona. L may say in this Conncc-
tion that the school is international in
character. and VIII in time have repre-
sentatives from every part Of the world
There are many reasons for this. but
one is that we hold il TO be an immense
advantage for all TO be- brought up to-
Eether. on account of her recent SUI
fering Cuba az the present time has been
permitted many representative
THE education is laid out on the
broadest lines possible. and is satisfied
with nothing less than the best child
can DO in any direction. The usual Eng
lish branches are fought. Of course. spe-
cial attention being paid to history
This. like everything else. is taught in
3 way TO stimulate the child TO think
TO- himself The forcing system does
not exist. for the whole aim is TO draw
out the chiId's powers and possibilities.
In addition 10 the ordinary curriculum.
all the children are taught how TO sing.
and a large majority are taught the use
Of one or more musical instruments.
Besides this all are taught dramatic
art. and drawing painting modelling.
wood carving stenography. biography,
according 20 their aptitudes. The yIder
ones have classes in botany, astronomy.
geology. etc. ! mention these various
things as samples 10 give a general idea
OF the course OF study. because so many
curious things have been written and
said as 10 what the children DO and
what they do not study.
I'VE fully expect them 20 excel in all
these things and vet we should feel
that the education Of any child was a
failure II il did not learn the true Sc
cret of happiness. Its character must
become firm and strong and true, and
il must become able to live a pure
clean life II must become self-relianf
earnest. ana caDaDle OF assuming re-
sponsibilities If it is properly educated
AND even in the short time this school
has been in progress the results in these
directions are remarkable
1T Is the purpose Of this institution
10 At each child 10 I'll the career for
watch IL is best suited be IL a profes-
sion. a trade. business or artistic ca
reer.
Among the $50 children a number OF
them have parents living on the Point
There has been some unfavorable com
ment on the fact that they see their par
ents but once in two weeks. II would
seem 10 me, however. that we should
certainly be open 20 criticism il We al
lowed a child's study and routine 10 b.
broken by daily or irregular visits.
1t IS impossible in a short space "a
give a thorough account Of a schOO
which has 50 many unique and remark
able features. but ! mus; say a word
or so about the careful attention that
is paid to physical health. This is not
only 20 insure physical comfort, but
Mrs Tingley holds that the best mora
and Intellectual results cannot be OBJ
tanned without a sound physical basis
so IL is considered q duty 70 guard anc
improve the children's health.
4 should like 70 contradict the state
ment that they are allowed 10 90 out
improperly clothed"