Our School Prospects by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 9, 1882

Our School Prospects.

By Editor

IT is with pleasure that we inform our readers that Professor Brownsberger and family arrived in Oakland on the morning of March 4. This opens the way for immediate and decisive steps to be taken toward opening our school in Healdsburg. We are aware that some have questioned, Why the past delay? There were several causes. While there was no defect in the title, there was an error in several of the deeds covering the property. They who are acquainted with such matters know that such errors are not corrected without time and trouble, as so many parties are involved. Fortunately this is now near to a satisfactory adjustment. The unavoidable detention of our Professor in Michigan has also caused some delay, as we could do but little toward actually starting the school without consulting with him on some matters. And another difficulty, still bearing upon our actions, is a scarcity of funds. They who promised and expected to furnish means have not been able to obtain money as readily as they calculated; but we hope that this difficulty may soon be removed by those who can obtain money. We shall move forward, hoping for the best.

But the time has now come for us to speak on other matters, essential to successfully starting the school.

IT MUST HAVE SCHOLARS.

Whence shall we derive our support in this respect? No doubt the answer will come from many points that, at the commencement, the school must be largely supported by the patronage of the Seventh-day Adventists. Very well; but where are the Seventh-day Adventists who are going to feel a deep personal interest in this work, and bear a responsibility in regard to it? Who, in your church, will take the pains to immediately ascertain if there are any who wish, or who can be induced, to attend the school? On this subject we offer suggestions.

Do not get the idea that the school is for the children only, or that they only can be benefited by it who are able to move to and locate in Healdsburg. We want laborers in the cause of God, and our experience in the East has taught us that the very best means of fitting up young men and women for laborers in the gospel, both as ministers and colporters or missionary workers, is to have them attend our school. Of course, the longer time they take for this, within reasonable bounds, the better; but a single term has often proved of great benefit to an enterprising young man who had tact to use that which he had acquired, and a heart to engage in the work of God.

We have not the least doubt that there are scores of young people in this State who need the training they could receive in this school, who could attend if they really made up their minds to do so, and who could then be useful as laborers in the cause of truth. If we could see a class formed of such young people as we met on the camp ground in Cornelius, Oregon, last summer, we should thank God and take courage. And why not? California has them, and they must be sought out, and induced to attend. Every school year will embrace a term of instruction for the special benefit of this class of persons.

But this announcement, before made in the SIGNS, must not be suffered to mislead the minds of any. This term will not be the only opportunity offered for their benefit. Every term, from the very beginning, will afford such facilities as they will require. The experience of Professor Brownsberger in our school in Michigan gives us all the assurance we can ask, that students who intend to fit themselves for the gospel work, will find just what they desire in the school under his hands. He is peculiarly qualified to meet their wants.

With him will be associated the best help that can be obtained as the requirements of the school may demand.

We are in earnest in this call. There is no time to lose. The signs of these times are ominous. The work is fast growing on our hands. As it increases in greatness and power, the time for working is shortening up. It is time to raise the query in real earnest, “Who is on the Lord’s side?” And who has a desire to help in the good cause?

We shall speak further on this subject. Let parents consider their duty to their children, to train their minds aright, and to bring them under the best influences in a school. No higher considerations can be presented to us. Let us act promptly. Do not wait to know the definite time, which will soon be announced, but make preparations without delay.