THE PAST AND PRESENT OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL MISSIONARY COLLEGE.
By David Paulson
A MEDICAL college whose scientific standing should be undisputed, and whose pillars should be placed on a gospel foundation, has been looked forward to for years by leading missionaries as a most desirable institution. It was to meet this demand that, half a dozen years ago, the International Medical Missionary Board organized the American Medical Missionary College. The literary requirements for entrance were placed as high as those adopted by the best medical colleges in the country; and, in addition, the applicant was required to furnish satisfactory evidence that he possessed not only a good character in the ordinary acceptance of the term, but that he also possessed, and was cultivating, a real missionary spirit. The curriculum provided for four years of study, consisting of nine months each, to include all those branches of medical science which the best medical schools have regarded essential in order properly to prepare men and women to enter the medical profession. In addition to these subjects, Bible and missionary topics have been taught. Special attention has been given to such practical subjects as dietetics, hydrotherapy, and other rational remedies, which are too frequently only touched upon incidentally in the ordinary medical course, yet their value can not be questioned, and a thorough knowledge of how to use them is often absolutely essential to secure the recovery of chronic patients. In the first class, three of our students, after having spent three years in this school, entered the last year in a leading medical college, and were awarded medical prizes as marks of their proficiency as students. The students, after completing their four years' study, took a State board of health examination, and all passed with high records. Although only a year has passed since these young men and women began their active medical missionary careers, yet each is already filling some important place in the work of helping suffering humanity, or in educating other workers to engage in similar work. Of the class that graduated this year, one student entered another leading medical college in the East, to complete the last year's work; and before graduating from there he successfully passed the competitive examination, which entitled him to become house physician in a large city hospital. The plan adopted whereby these young men and women found their places in the Lord's work, was perhaps a little unique. After graduation a year ago, a month was set apart for recreation for mind and body, for studying the mission fields and their needs, and also for seeking wisdom and divine guidance as to where each one should go. This month was spent at a beautiful spot on the banks of Gull Lake, a few miles from Battle Creek. As the days passed by, one by one these young persons became convinced of their individual duty; and when the time was up, so far as my knowledge goes, each knew what he was to do, at least so far as it concerned his immediate duty. This year the eleven young women and ten young men who composed the graduating class went to the same spot, only, however, to spend a day in a similar manner. God had apparently already spoken to their hearts, and, profiting by some of the principles that had been made very clear by the previous year's study, finding where they were to go seemed comparatively easy. A ship must be moved before it can be steered, so it is not a difficult matter for God to direct us if we are only already moving out in his providences. Careful observation will reveal that those who are complaining so much because of not being guided, are the very ones who are anxious to be guided while they are practically lying still. Among those who spoke words of counsel and encouragement on this occasion were Dr. J. H. Kellogg; Elders A. T. Jones and E. J. Hibbard; and Dr. D. H. Kress, who had just returned from the British field. Although only a few weeks have passed since that, yet nearly all these medical missionaries have either begun their active life-work or are making preparation to fill some place that is definitely in sight. It certainly has been gratifying to note how clearly God directs individual minds when they are submitted to him. This school has already graduated forty-five students, and has eighty-five in training, while the prospects are that there will be many more applicants possessing the necessary qualifications than can possibly be admitted when the school year opens, September 26. The success that has already been attained is certainly an evidence of the special blessing of God, which has attended the efforts of teachers and509students. And we have every reason to believe that what Providence has already done is only a small indication of what will yet be accomplished through the agency of the American Medical Missionary College.