The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1918-12-14
Manual Training Depart
ment in Zion Schools
By Glen w. Carsley, Instructor

This department began the school year of
1918 1919 with an enrolment of about one hun
dred an increase of twenty above that of the
1917 1918 school year.
The interest of the students is good. We have
added to Our equipment nine new benches, max
ing with the old ones, accommodation for class
of twenty. We also have added fourteen sets of
bench tools to our last years equipment of six
sets, which makes a set of tools for each of the
twenty benches.
We are busy getting things in shape to start
wood working The boys are all eager to learn
how to do useful things. It is great JOY to note
the progress those are making who started in
last year and who were quite new at this kind of
work With the second year they are fast advanc
ing from very ordinary work to that which is
excellent
We are on working drawings in the Prepare
tory Department, and gaining knowledge in
making and reading drawings, which may be of
inestimable value throughout the lives of the
pupils.
In the Seventh grade we take up the use of the
"T' square, the triangle the compass, ETC. First,
we draw straight lines in different directions,
spacing them equally. Then we try circular forms
and learn to control the compass By that time,
we are able to draw simple plans for articles
which we will make later at the benches. The
Eighth grade boys have been making plans of
some quite complicated forms and are eagerly
looking forward to making these things
The little motor and lathe, obtained last year,
has been great help to us and is much appre-
ciated but the power is very small and much time
is CONSUMED because it chokes down so easily. We
are therefore greatly in need of motor of about
two horse power, and a lathe which will take
material twelve inches in diameter and three feet
long. With such motor could utilize the shaft
and circular saw which was donated by one of
the students last year. This would save time in
working up the raw material which consumes so
much time when done by hand
Like other departments in Zion, we are out
growing our bounds and our equipment We are
outgrowing the two rooms in the southeast corner
of the basement and are looking forward to the
time when we may be able to fit UP two similar
rooms in the northeast corner and install there Our
drawing tables and things of that nature.
The wooden floors in these rooms, however,
need to be replaced with cement floor before
they can be used to advantage. If the cement and
gravel were provided, the boys would be glad to
do the work under the direction of the instructor,
thus acquiring practical experience in laying con-.
crete
We know that God is with us in Our work and
is owning our abors. We know that He has been
leading and blessing us as we go forward and
that He will help us to be blessing to many OF
the BOYS in Zion We hope to be still greater
help, as time goes on, in instilllng into their
minds and hands skill in the many useful ways
brought out in manual training, that they may
grow up and become useful citizens of Zion.
We have seen men without training undertake
to accomplish certain things consuming much
valuable time planning their work; but if they
had been given proper training in the school
time of their lives, such as is impaired in the
Manual Training Department of Zion Schools,
it would have been Of vast advantage to them and
they would have been able to accomplish more
and better work.
Therefore, let us do all we can to help and en-
courage the work that is being done, in order
that Zion may have competent men with hands
and brains trained to do their work well, to the
honor and glory of God Pray for us, that we
may be able to do all that God wants us to accom-
plish in the time that still remains until Jesus
comes.