p. 16 | A Double Dedication by A. O. Tait

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 9, 1916

A Double Dedication

By A. O. Tait

OCTOBER 4 and 7 were epoch-making dates in the progress of our foreign work in this country.

ON OCTOBER 4 the International Branch of the Pacific Press Publishing Association was dedicated at Brookfield, Ill. Elders R. A. Underwood, L. H. Christian, I. H. Evans, E. T. Russell, Charles Thompson, G. F. Haffner, S. Mortenson, P. E. Broderson, and other leading workers were present to participate in the various exercises.

Elder Evans made the principal address. He spoke of the millions of foreigners in this country, and of the urgent need of preparing message-filled literature in many different languages. He placed particular emphasis upon the point that Christianity, rightly understood, breaks down the barriers of race and nationality, and unites all in Jesus Christ. He also emphasized the fact that our various conference presidents owe the same debt of service to the foreigners within their borders that they do to those who speak English. All should seek for that divine grace that will set them free from racial prejudice.

Steen Rasmussen gave a very inspiring account of the progress of the message among the many nations represented in this land.

Brethren C. H. Jones and H. H. Hall reviewed the history of the work of the International Publishing Association, and explained why the institution had been located in a good new building in Brookfield, a beautiful suburb of the city of Chicago.

H. C. Childs, treasurer of the Pacific Press, made a financial report of the institution. Although it had cost more than $40,000 to build and equip the institution, the bills were all paid.

Elder E. T. Russell, after a few remarks concerning early experiences in the work of providing literature for the foreigners in this country, offered the dedicatory prayer.

Brother S. N. Curtiss has accepted the call to act as manager of the institution.

In a round table discussion in which many took part, it was agreed to recommend the bringing out of about seventy-four new tracts in fifteen different languages. “Bible Readings for the Home Circle” is to be translated into three additional languages.

When we contrast the extent of the work among the foreigners twenty or thirty years ago with what it is today, when a well-equipped publishing house is required to meet the growing demand for foreign literature, we see something of the rapid advancement of the message among all peoples.

But it is not alone in our publishing work that great progress is made. Our educational work is also developing with equal strength. It does not seem so long ago since we had but one college,—the one at Battle Creek, Mich. A little later Union College was established in Nebraska, with Swedish, Danish-Norwegian, and German departments. But soon this was outgrown; and to meet the demands of our advancing work it has become necessary to provide separate schools in this country for each of these nationalities.

In 1910 about eighty acres of land was purchased in Broadview, a suburb of Chicago, as a site for a Swedish Seventh-day Adventist seminary. This institution is about three miles from the International Publishing Branch, and but a few miles from the Hinsdale Sanitarium.

By making some changes in buildings already on the ground, Prof. G. E. Nord and his associates were able to open school in September, 1910. It was interesting to listen to the story of the struggles of those who labored to establish this important institution.

The large dwelling house on the estate was converted into rooms for the girls; an addition was built to provide more rooms and a chapel. Barns were converted into dormitories for the boys, recitation-rooms, and offices for the president and the bookkeeper.

But despite these meager facilities a good class of young people were attracted to the school, and it grew. One new building has been erected to provide a home for the faculty, but other buildings and improvements are greatly needed. An adequate water system should be provided, and there is also a crying need for a good up-to-date sewerage system. The growing patronage of the school makes these improvements an immediate and urgent necessity.

In starting this school some debt was incurred, but Elder Christian and others were strong in the belief that we should not contract such debts, and that the institution should not be dedicated to the Lord till all these obligations were met. So, although the school was started in 1910, it was not dedicated until Sabbath, Oct. 7, 1916.

The dedication was an important occasion for our Swedish brethren. Many of those who attended the dedication of the International Publishing Branch remained to attend the exercises at the seminary. Elders Svenson, Mortenson, Hoffman, and Anderson, as well as several workers from the Danish-Norwegian field, were present. The exercises began on Friday evening and lasted through the Sabbath and the following Sunday.

The dedicatory address was delivered by Elder Christian, president of the Lake Union Conference. His message impressed those present with the importance of pressing our educational work, so that our young men and women may be fittingly trained to give the world the message of Christ’s coming. He emphasized the fact that to avoid discouragement and hindrances we must keep our schools free from debt and on a sound financial basis. And most important of all, there must be a spiritual atmosphere that is surcharged with the strong impulses of our sublime and solemn message to the world. Following Elder Christian’s address, Elder S. F. Svenson offered the dedicatory prayer.

The school is making good use of its eighty acres of fine land. There is a good herd of cattle and a fine flock of well-kept hens. Vegetables and other products of garden, orchard, and field seemed, through the industry of the farmer, to be stored in abundance for the winter.

But the best part of it all is the fine class of earnest, active young men and women who are well started in their work in the school this year. It was an inspiration to observe their activities and to think that their sole purpose in life is to serve the great cause of the Master in this generation, and to prepare the world for the Lord’s coming. It is a great privilege and a pleasure to assist in supplying the needs of such a worthy institution as our Swedish school at Broadview, Ill. A. O. TAIT.