Healdsburg College

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 1, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 17.

Healdsburg College.

ON Sunday forenoon, April 27, a meeting was held in Oakland in the interest of Healdsburg College. Of course no business could be transacted, as it was not the legal time and place; but it was thought best to set the present condition of the College before those who could not attend the stockholders' meeting at Healdsburg, and give them an opportunity to express their opinions.

Bro. White said that the present college year had been entered upon with much anxiety as to the future. Several experiments were to be made. Among these were the introduction of manual labor among the students, and the teaching of the Bible in a way not before attempted. As to the first, his mind was set at rest on his first visit to the boarding-house, when he saw the cheerfulness and alacrity with which both girls and boys went about their allotted tasks. They seemed to really enjoy the work. As to the second, he had been pleased with what he had seen of the Bible-class, and knew of none of the students who were not fully satisfied with the manner in which it had been conducted. Whether or not they have made any improvement, will appear when they go out into the field.

In conclusion he spoke of the religious interest manifested in the school. This seemed to be deep, and earnest; several students have been baptized and united with the church. He attributed this state of things not alone to the interest taken in the work by the faculty, but to the presence in the school of men and women of mature years, whose influence was active, and served as a restraint upon those who might feel a spirit of insubordination. He hoped that these and many others would return next year. The presence of such in the school is an absolute necessity.

Professor Brownsberger said that all the students, with scarcely an exception, had taken hold of the work cheerfully, and had evinced an honest pride in doing it well. Much of the work done during the winter has been in the line of improving the grounds. This is now about completed, and has been done in a satisfactory manner. To labor in connection with these young men has been a pleasure.

There is great need, he said, of increased facilities for teaching the various trades. Some steps have been taken in this direction, with good results, but there must be more room, the present buildings having been filled up so much more rapidly than was anticipated.

A brief general statement of the financial condition of the College was given. The total disbursements have been about $32,000. Of this amount, about $24,000 is covered by pledges, $13,000 of which has been paid in. It will be seen by this, that before improvements which are urgently needed can be made, stock must be taken in the institution, to enable it to meet present indebtedness.

Several of those who attended the College last winter, and who are now about to go into the field, spoke feelingly in regard to the benefits that they had derived during their stay. They felt that the school was an inestimable blessing, and hoped not only to be able to return, but that hundreds of others might avail themselves of this means of fitting themselves for the service of God. One sister who had visited the College had been impressed with the tender solicitude of the lady managers of the boarding-house for the girls that were under their care. She thought the parents ought to pray earnestly for these faithful workers.

After these interesting remarks, showing what the College is doing, and its need of assistance, Eld. Ballou presented the following resolution, which was adopted by unanimous rising vote:—

Resolved, That we feel it to be our duty and privilege to labor for the success of Healdsburg College, both by securing the attendance of students, and soliciting means for its support.