NORTH PACIFIC ACADEMY by The School Board

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 16, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 36.

NORTH PACIFIC ACADEMY.

By The School Board

SCHOOL will be opened in this institution October 21, 1889, to continue till April 4, 1890. Arrangements will be made to board all the students coming from abroad. We cannot offer all the conveniences that might be afforded as we could if we had a Students' Home; but some of the objectionable features of last year will be obviated. The cost to the student, for board and tuition, will be about $12 per month. We hope to have a full attendance. We earnestly appeal to the young to make every effort to attend; and to parents to give their children every opportunity and encouragement to get an education. Time is too short to put off till next year, what you can, by energy and devotion, accomplish this year. The young should study to become self-reliant. A young person of energy can earn enough during one-half the year to attend school the other half, and the very effort to do this will cultivate a valuable trait of character. There is not that devotion to the cause of education that there should be. Parents are not planning to give their children an education—the very best endowment they can leave them. The young themselves are not hungering and thirsting for knowledge and moral discipline as they should. These things are needful to fit them for useful lives and for the issues of eternity. It takes earnest work to get an education; but then it pays in the end. Read a few extracts from Testimony No. 33:—

"Perfection of character is a life-long work, unattainable by those who are not willing to strive for it in God's appointed way, by slow and toilsome steps." P. 28.

"It is with feelings of inexpressible sadness, and sometimes almost with despair, that I contemplate the condition of the young, and see how difficult it is to encourage those to obtain an education, to whom I know God has liberally intrusted capabilities. Without education, they will be crippled and inefficient in any position. Yet in gaining this education they will be exposed to dangers and temptations. Satan will try to employ their cultivated abilities in his service." P. 49.

"There is too little zeal among the students. They should make more earnest efforts. It requires much study to know how to study. Each student must cultivate the habit of industry. He should see that no second-class work comes forth from his hand." P. 52.

If we could see the final outcome of present developments, and the severe tests to which God's people will soon be subjected, we would let no opportunity for mental and moral training pass by unimproved. Note what is further said of the condition of things in the near future:—

"We are approaching stormy times, and we want to study the true foundation of our faith. We need to search the law-book, to see if our title to the immortal inheritance is without a flaw. Our people have been regarded as too insignificant to be worthy of notice; but a change will come. The Christian world is now making movements which will necessarily bring commandment-keeping people into prominence. There is a constant supplanting of God's truth by the theories and doctrines of human origin. Movements are being set on foot to enslave the consciences of those who would be loyal to God. The law-making powers will be against God's people. Every soul will be tested. Oh that we would, as a people, be wise for ourselves, and by precept and example impart that wisdom to our children." P. 74.

"The Lord is coming. We are nearing home, and we want to take large inspirations of the heavenly atmosphere; then we shall become identified with the Saviour in all his plans. We shall be elevated, and able to elevate others, and shall be efficient in good works." P. 77.

If these words are heeded, the school will be filled with earnest seekers after truth and knowledge; and it will be cherished as one of the instrumentalities which God is using for the accomplishment of his great work to fit a people for the coming of the Saviour. We trust that our brethren in every part of this Conference will stand by the school, and sustain it by their means, patronage, and prayers.