p. 17 | Among Our Training-Schools by F. M. Wilcox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 13, 1910

Among Our Training-Schools

By F. M. Wilcox

God has a great work to do for mankind during the closing days of earth's history, and his providence is preparing earnest, consecrated men and women to take part in this work. Clothed with his power, they will go forth to the nations of the earth, and a speedy work will be accomplished. I was forcibly impressed with this cheering outlook while visiting several of our training-schools during the last month.

EMMANUEL MISSIONARY COLLEGE.—It was my privilege to spend the first part of the week of prayer at the Emmanuel Missionary College at Berrien Springs, Mich. Here Prof. O. J. Graf and his faithful coworkers have in training one hundred thirty earnest young men and women, the great majority of whom are in preparation for no other purpose than to go out as workers in the great harvest-field. An excellent spirit seemed to exist in the school, and this was due largely to the hearty spirit of co-operation with which the faculty are endeavoring to carry forward the work. Each had a kindly word to speak for his associates. In this school I was impressed with the proportionately large number of mature young men in training. Surely from this center of education should go forth many workers into the conferences of the Lake Union Conference, as well as some into the great regions beyond.

UNION COLLEGE.—Four days were spent at Union College, College View, Neb., during the week of prayer. The school had been divided into a number of prayer bands, each in charge of a competent leader. These bands met throughout the week for a midday service. With the general public service held at the chapel period, and the evening devotional services, each member of this large student body was brought under religious influence and personal labor. While no great stir was apparent, it was evident that deep personal work was going forward in the hearts of the students, and many expressed themselves as finding a deeper experience in God than they had ever known before.

Prof. C. C. Lewis and his associates are working earnestly and faithfully to meet the great responsibility thrown upon them by this large number of students. This important training-school has done much in the past in supplying workers for this cause, and we believe that this but presages a much greater work, which, in the providence of God, it will accomplish in the future.

The Nebraska Sanitarium, located at this point, is doing a splendid work in training several classes of earnest young people for medical missionary work. The International Publishing Association was pressed with work, in the preparation and circulation of literature for those among us of other tongues.

Great dangers confront the hundreds of Seventh-day Adventists centralized at this point, the largest church at the present time in the denomination. Only as they appreciate their responsibilities and improve to the utmost, and with right purpose, the opportunities and blessings given them, will they be able to meet the purpose of God.

BOULDER-COLORADO SANITARIUM.—Passing on at the close of the week of prayer, I next visited the Boulder-Colorado Sanitarium. At this place I passed many years of earnest labor, and greatly enjoyed the privilege of spending a few days at the institution after an absence of one year. The occasion was the annual commencement exercises of the nurses' training-school. The class consisted of thirteen earnest young men and women, who were awarded diplomas. They were Hans Jacob Anderson, Leah Myra Beltz, Emma Christine Frederickson, Pink Frances Glasgow, Lottie Edna Galpin, Grace Edna Mitchell, Louise Katheryn Peterson, Nellie May Swift, Ardella May Stout, Ethel Stout, Alberta Roland Stagner, Orson Roy Van Horn, Nellie Anna Wagner.

Without an exception, the members of this nurses' class have dedicated their active service wherever God's providence indicates. One already, Sister Glasgow-Kelsey, is on her way to India. Brother Orson R. Van Horn has accepted the position of head nurse in the Paradise Valley Sanitarium. Others will connect with the organized work in various parts of the field, as the providence of the Lord may indicate.

This sanitarium has done much in past years in the training of workers. It already has representatives in India, Burma, Argentina, and Japan. The earnest letters received from these pioneers, as well as the demands of the great mission field, have kept burning brightly the missionary flame in the hearts of succeeding classes. Coming years will furnish many more earnest workers to go out to help carry this closing message.

During the last year the sanitarium has been very successful in many ways.

The receipts from the guests exceeded the receipts of 1908. Important repairs and improvements have been made, particularly in the treatment-rooms of the institution. A large number of operations have been performed by Dr. J. D. Shively, and these have materially aided in the receipts of the sanitarium, and in enlarging the number of its guests. Dr. Shively and wife, Dr. Kate Lindsay, Dr. J. O. Stowe, and Brethren MacGuire, Rice, and Weller, together with a company of devoted young men and women, are laboring earnestly to upbuild and carry forward the work at this sanitarium.

Returning, I tarried one night at Hinsdale, Ill., visiting the sanitarium carried on by Drs. David and Mamie Paulson. While not under denominational control, the workers are seeking close affiliation with conference and denominational interests. A good spirit characterized the place and workers.

One day was spent at the college at Mount Vernon, Ohio, but in consequence of the school vacation, I did not have the privilege of meeting the students in this institution. Brother S. M. Butler, the president of the school, reports an attendance of over one hundred thirty, and a spirit of good cheer and evidences of progress were apparent.

The little sanitarium operated at this place by Dr. V. L. Fisher and Brother Kennedy, under the auspices of the college and the Columbia Union Conference, gave material evidence of its prosperity in the large addition being made to its building, thus doubling the capacity for patients.

As we view the work being done by these training-schools, and think of the work being carried forward by our good training-schools throughout the world, to prepare men and women for service in this movement, we thank God, and take courage. We, who are older, may fall by the way, or in weariness step aside to rest, but God has an earnest company of young men and women in our ranks who will finish the work by his grace, and in its final triumph young and old will rejoice together.

F. M. WILCOX.