The Work of the Washington Foreign Mission Seminary
By M. E. Kern
THE history of the Foreign Mission Seminary, like all Seventh-day Adventist enterprises, has been one of evolution and advancement. The same Spirit that led us in the establishment of denominational headquarters at Washington, directed that a school should be built here. When the biennial council of the General Conference held in Switzerland four years ago decided that the Washington Training College should be changed into an institution for the special training of missionaries, the action met a spontaneous and hearty response from our people everywhere, as well as the approval of the spirit of prophecy. The development of our foreign mission enterprises is really a marvelous story. The demands of the world-wide field upon us, our experience in the conduct of this work, and the urgency of an overdue message, all call for such an institution as this, where a thorough course of special training may be given for effective work in these fields. Building on the experiences of the past, both in the management of foreign missions and in the conduct of the school, the General Conference Committee and Seminary board last summer took another step forward. The course of study was strengthened in a more specific preparation for the various fields, and by giving opportunity for practical experience in Christian work.18 Special Training for Foreign Missions
There are special problems in foreign fields pertaining to racial characteristics, religious conditions, manners, and customs, maintenance of health, and previous missionary efforts, which should be thoroughly studied by candidates for appointment. A mere conventional idea of Christian work is disastrous; for success or failure depends very largely on the ability to deal with actual situations. Special courses have been given in the study of the various mission fields, including the geography and history of the country, the customs and habits of the people, the religions to be met, and the history and present status of missionary effort among the people. All this has done much, we believe, to put the candidate in touch with his field, and prepare him for successful missionary effort. Practical Missionary Effort
Following the suggestion that has been given us that here the students "are to be tested and proved, that it may be seen what their adaptability is," the board laid broader plans for practical missionary effort in connection with the school training. Special classes for the training of ministers and Bible workers have been organized, and one day in each week has been set apart for missionary work in the city of Washington. The results of these efforts have been very gratifying. The students feel that they have learned in this way what it would have been impossible to learn in any other. Personal Acquaintance Before Final Selection
The attendance of these candidates for mission fields at the Seminary has not only been of great value to them in theoretical and practical lines, but it has given the Seminary faculty and the Foreign Mission Board a chance to become well acquainted with them. By observing the students in their school life and practical work, the Mission Board has been able to judge of their ability to succeed, and better to determine for what field of work they are best fitted. This we feel sure is a very important matter, now that the majority of missionaries being sent out are comparatively young. The past year has demonstrated the wisdom of the decision of the Mission Board in requiring that our missionaries spend the first few months of their service at the Seminary. A great saving has been effected by the better equipment of those who go; and in the cases of a few who have proved unfit, we know that a great expense has been saved. The missionaries who have gone out have been sent with a much fuller assurance and confidence on the part of the board. A Post-Graduate Nurses' Course
During the past few months the Seminary board and General Conference Committee have been earnestly studying the problems connected with the Seminary, and how more fully to meet the demands of our ever-expanding work. There is a crying need to-day for medical missionaries. The truth of Moffat's statement that a medical missionary is a missionary and a half, is quite generally admitted. We have many consecrated nurses throughout the country who will develop into excellent medical missionaries if they are given a thorough course in Bible and Bible work, and some additional study in advanced nursing, with practical hospital and dispensary experience. We believe that there is a great field among us for a post-graduate nurses' course. Then, too, all our missionaries need at least an elementary training in this work. In view of these facts, the Washington Sanitarium and the Washington Foreign Mission Seminary have more closely united in their work. All the educational work will be done under the direction of the Seminary, leaving the Sanitarium more free to arrange for practical nursing in connection with the newly established hospital, and in work that may be opened in the city of Washington. The nursing at the Sanitarium will ultimately be done entirely by graduate nurses, some of whom will be employed outright, and many of whom will be in the advanced course. This post-graduate course fills a long-felt want. It will enable those who have been graduated from our various sanitariums to obtain advanced professional study with hospital experience, and at the same time receive thorough instruction in Bible and evangelical work. Preparation for City Work
The cities of the world are still unwarned of the near coming of Christ. Spirit-filled ministers, consecrated Bible workers, and medical missionary evangelists are needed at once. We believe that God has directed in the plans of the Foreign Mission Seminary for a quick preparation for this work. The pastoral training-class, with its thorough instruction and practical work, the Bible workers' training-class, led by an experienced Bible worker in the study of the best methods of labor and in practical effort, with the medical missionary training-courses, are designed to take persons of maturity and education, and quickly prepare them for efficient service in gospel work in the world-wide field and in the great cities of our own land. Who will lay aside all worldly plans, and share with Jesus the burden for a lost world? "Already many hearts are responding to the call of the Master Worker, and their numbers will increase." It is necessary that the list of students at the Foreign Mission Seminary should be made up at an early date. Let those who think of coming write at once for further information and application blanks to the undersigned at Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C.