Editorial Correspondence by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 21, 1912

Editorial Correspondence

By F. M. W.

St. Helena, Cal., Feb. 25, 1912.

For many years we have been urged by the instruction through the spirit of prophecy to establish schools for the education of our young people in the rural districts, removed from the evil influences of our great cities.

An effort has been made, in the establishment of the Pacific Union College, to follow this instruction. Located eight miles from St. Helena and five miles from the sanitarium, up among the mountains of the Cascade range, the location is most ideal. The estate comprises nearly sixteen hundred acres of land. More than one hundred acres, which consists of rich valley land, has been cleared, and is set out to fruit, consisting of apples, peaches, plums, pears, prunes, grapes, and blackberries. There are also a number of nut-bearing trees. The land abounds with springs, which yield a bountiful water-supply, not alone for domestic uses, but for irrigating purposes as well. It is estimated that the flow from the springs amounts to more than three hundred thousand gallons daily. The larger part of the land is covered with a heavy growth of timber, amounting to several million feet, furnishing an unlimited supply of firewood and building material.

The altitude of the school is nearly two thousand feet above sea-level. The climate is mild and healthful.

A number of buildings were acquired with the land purchase. These consist of one large building now occupied as a boys’ dormitory, a hall now being used for the college building, six cottages, three barns, a laundry, numerous other small buildings, and a swimming-pool.

Since the school opened, two years ago, a sawmill has been erected, and from timber cut upon the land building material has been prepared for the erection of a ladies’ dormitory, which has been nearly completed, largely by student labor. It contains dining-room facilities for the entire school. Ordinarily a building of this character would cost from thirty to forty thousand dollars; but when completed, the cost will be less than twenty thousand dollars. While a large saving has been effected in this way, it has also furnished a large amount of work to the students, enabling some to take school work who otherwise would be deprived of the privilege.

This school possesses one of the very strongest faculties of experienced teachers to be found in any of our educational institutions. Prof. C. W. Irwin is the president of the school. His successful experience in connection with our school in Australia has well fitted him to take charge of the development of this new and pioneer work. With him are associated Profs. C. C. Lewis, M. W. Newton, F. W. Field, H. A. Washburn, and J. H. Paap, and Elder W. A. Hennig, whose long experience in school work makes them strong factors in the carrying forward of Pacific Union College.

The enrolment this year consists of about one hundred fifty students. Some excellent young men and women are attending the school, and we believe that from this institution will go out, in the years to come, many strong workers to carry this gospel message not only to the fields at home, but to the great, unworked fields abroad. As we have said before, in the scores of young men and women who are fitting for active service in connection with this great movement lies the hope of its success, under God. This is the age of opportunity for the young. Wherever we go, we find young men and women occupying positions of responsibility. This is true not only in the world at large, but is coming to be true in connection with our own work. The great demands of our mission fields today are for strong young men and women, with quick, active minds, with adaptable spirits, who can acquire new languages and prove themselves strong and willing to toil and labor for the Master.

In saying this, we by no means depreciate the value of those of older years. The men and women of gray hairs will always fill an important place in the great work of God. They can speak from a rich experience of years, and their mature judgment can shape and mold the plans and policies of the work; but in the closing years of this message the strong young men and women must stand as God’s minutemen, ready to answer his call and to go where his providence shall lead. May God grant that they will hear the call of the Master, and that the answering of this call will become the great and mighty purpose which will move their hearts and inspire their lives.

We were pleased to meet, at Angwin college, Elder and Mrs. G. A. Irwin. Brother Irwin is the president of the Pacific Union Conference, and Sister Irwin assists in the work of the school.

It has been our privilege, during our short stay at St. Helena, to visit Sister E. G. White. This aged servant of the Lord, now in her eighty-fifth year, is still seeking faithfully to act her part as the messenger to this people. While bearing the physical infirmity of declining years, her mind is still clear, and her interest in the work of God unabated. She is engaged in the preparation of important manuscript to be published in the near future. Elder W. C. White, who has been called to stand by his mother in her responsible work, and her other faithful assistants are endeavoring, in the fear of God, to unite with her in the carrying forward of the work which has been laid upon her in presenting to the church and to the world the light which God has graciously sent. The precious instruction given has done much for this people during the years in the past. It has averted many disasters which otherwise would have befallen this movement. It has saved the cause of present truth from many specious errors and crafty designs of the enemy. It has incited God’s people to deeper consecration, and given them new views of God’s love and their relation to him. This counsel should be cherished by every believer, and, next to the Scriptures of truth, should be read and studied in every household.

“Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” 2 Chron. 20: 20.

F. M. W.