p. 3 | Where Shall I Attend College? by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 31, 1916

Where Shall I Attend College?

By F. M. W.

This naturally is the question which will arise in the mind of many young men and women as they read the articles in this number, setting forth the needs of a college education, and the advantages offered by each of our colleges in the United States. We doubt not that every student would find his highest ideals met in the work he would be able to obtain in any one of these institutions. The managing boards of our colleges have put forth earnest efforts during the last few years to improve their equipment and strengthen their faculties.

Every college is prepared to do excellent work. While some one may in particular ways have special advantages over another, on the whole they measure up quite equally for the work they have to do. We cannot believe that our excellent college in Nebraska, which perhaps in its long history has sent out more students into the work than any other college in the denomination, is able to give students a better preparation for their life work than is Pacific Union College, in California, or Walla Walla College, in Washington. Nor can we believe that Washington Missionary College, even though located at the nation's capital and at the headquarters of our work, is able to afford any better fitting for labor in this cause than Emmanuel Missionary College, at Berrien Springs, Mich.

Each of these schools doubtless possesses advantages peculiarly its own; we believe that, on the whole, no school can boast over any of its fellows. Hence we feel confident that as a rule it is far better for the young men and women of this denomination to attend the school in their own particular territory than to be at the expense of railroad travel to attend some other college at a distance.

There might exist special reasons why some student should go outside of his own territory to attend school. Some parent might feel that his son or daughter needed the special conditions to be found in some particular school not to be found in another. We have known cases of this character. Against this we have nothing to say. We do, however, deplore any spirit which would lead our young people to feel that there are one or two centers in this work where they must secure their education.

While we are glad we have reached a time when our vision is not hedged about by conference boundaries, and we can recognize the needs and merits of the work of God outside of localized fields, it is well for us to cherish the spirit of loyalty toward the institutions which the providence of God has placed among us. They belong to us particularly to nourish and strengthen. If we feel that they are catering to worldly standards or are lax in proper discipline; if they are weak in equipment or faculties, let us as a part of their constituency seek, at proper times and in proper ways, to set in operation those influences which will remedy these defects.

We sincerely hope that the time will never come in the history of our work when we shall feel that there is one great center where we must receive our education and training for the work of God. It surely would be unfortunate for us to give currency to such an idea as related to any college in the denomination, or even to permit such a sentiment to prevail. It could only mean the narrowing of our vision, the curtailment of the influence of our educational institutions, and the centralization of our work, with all the unfortunate circumstances attending the operation of such a principle. God designs that every one of our colleges shall stand in its own Heaven-given independence, fully prepared to equip men and women to go out and take an active, efficient part in the giving of this message to the world.

We have reason to rejoice that, including our medical school, we have six centers for higher education, in place of the one center which we had in the early part of our history. This is in harmony with the instruction which has many times come to us regarding the distribution of responsibility and the creation of many centers of light and influence.

As to where those should go who seek a medical education there is no question. We have but one medical school. Its advantages over medical schools of the world must appeal to every Seventh-day Adventist. Let us labor loyally for the promotion of every branch and department of this movement. Our schools have been established in the providence of God. To them we should send our sons and daughters to obtain that Christian training which they cannot hope to obtain in the schools of the world.

Our schools need our support; they need our moral influence; they need our prayers. Those who stand at their head, the boards of management and teachers, are carrying heavy burdens. Let us pray for them, that God may give them wisdom so to carry forward their work that our schools shall be made like the schools of the prophets, enabled to give to our sons and daughters that training which will fit them to become coworkers with God in the salvation of their fellow men.

F. M. W.