At the Foreign Mission Seminary by W. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 26, 1907

At the Foreign Mission Seminary

By W. A. S.

The first recruits for the mission fields from the Foreign Mission Seminary are under appointment to China. On the evening after the Sabbath, December 14, a special service was held at the Seminary. Professor Prescott presided at the meeting, and, in the introductory remarks, told of his own impressions and experiences during his recent visit to the far East, by which the vast Chinese field was made to appeal to his heart with a force that was almost overwhelming.

The class in the Chinese language then sang a hymn in Chinese. The words were explained to us, the burden of the appeal being, “What is it that you are not willing to give up for Christ?”

By the aid of a stereopticon lantern, Dr. H. W. Miller brought vividly before the audience the great Chinese field and our work in it. The photographs thrown upon the screen were taken by himself in China. He also described the route of the great Siberian railway, from Harbin across Asia to Moscow, a vast new country which Dr. Miller has been the first among us to visit.

All these great territories were made to appeal to us as mission territory lying directly before our feet, which we must plan definitely to enter and occupy.

Another Chinese song, the translation of “Until We Meet Again,” sung by the Chinese class, suggested that we were bidding Godspeed to Dr. Miller and the first recruits from the Seminary, who are preparing soon to sail for China. These were earnestly commended to God in the closing prayer.

Three, at least, who have been attending classes—the sanitarium and the school working as one in this seminary work—will sail with Dr. Miller, and possibly others. The work in the new Seminary is proving just what was expected of it—a blessing to students and a strong factor in preparing workers for the field.

A few days ago I spent a morning at

the school, and this is what I saw: First, a class of young men and women reading and reciting in the elements of Chinese, and working at the blackboard over the peculiar characters. At the chapel period following, there was a twenty-minute talk on China’s religions. The next recitation hour I visited the general history room and the advanced Spanish class. The next hour was a most interesting one with a large class in tropical diseases, their nature and treatment, taken up in a practical way to help those who are sure to be confronted with the real experience if they go to tropical lands.

This was but one passing glimpse at the work being done in a few classes. Best of all, as with all our schools, the Spirit of God is present, giving a serious and well-defined aim to the work of the students. But we have needed just this opportunity for gathering candidates for the mission fields together for special work. The Foreign Mission Seminary is already a blessed agency in our campaign for missions. W. A. S.