Difficulties Considered.
By George Ide Butler
Having noticed in the past some few of the reasons why a school should be established among our people, partially denominational in character, it is but reasonable that some of the difficulties connected with this subject should be considered. That there are serious difficulties to be encountered, no one will dispute, who has given the subject reasonable consideration. But this being the case, it does not follow, by any means, that the enterprise should not be undertaken; for it is generally the case that in all beneficent enterprises these are to be met. The question to be decided is, whether, on the whole, advantages will accrue from the establishment of such a school, in excess of the disadvantages? When this question is fairly considered we have no fears as to the verdict. The school is really a necessity, and the true policy is to proceed as fast as the opening providence of God will admit, to overcome the real difficulties in the way. There has evidently been a feeling on the part of many of our people, that such a school as that proposed to be established among us would be an imitation of other denominations, and result in evil. That there are evils connected with theological schools such as those generally in existence, seems evident, though on the whole they have been beneficial. They have resulted in the education of the ministry, and in elevating the tone of public sentiment among the laity. And those denominations which have established such schools have been instrumental of more good than those who have not. And it is very doubtful if it can be shown that an educated ministry have not possessed as great a degree of spirituality as the uneducated. And while, on the one hand, there is danger of one class being proud and aristocratic, and losing their sympathy with the masses of the people, and of attaching too much importance to mere human knowledge and authority, there is danger at least equally great of the other becoming bigoted, narrow in their views, and of despising proper instruction of the mind, and of their religious exercises becoming a mere matter of excitement and animal feeling. There are some things in connection with such schools, as commonly established, that we cannot imitate; one of which is their long course of instruction of from three to six years. Our faith as a people in the nearness of Christ’s coming utterly forbids the idea. We have too great a work to do, and too short a time to do it in, to take up so much time in mere preliminaries as this would imply. Those who are fitted by the proper gifts of mind cannot be spared from the work so long a time as this. Neither do we believe it is at all necessary. What is it that young men generally study in these schools that requires so long a time? It is well known that these students come forth generally much better posted in Greek and Roman mythology, the opinions of learned men, and the quibbles and dodges of scholastic philosophy, than they do in the contents of the Bible. It is no wonder that it takes so long for their courses of instruction, when we consider what they have to wade through. It takes much painful study to be able to successfully engage in the hair-splitting processes of argument by which Sunday is made to appear the true seventh day, for instance, or how a human, immaterial spirit, can live and burn to all eternity in an orthodox hell. No wonder that years are required to be able to do it successfully. We are inclined to think that the literal system of interpretation adopted by us, and by which our views of divine truth are explained to the people, will not require so much time to master. Especially when we go directly to the fountain, the Bible, from which to draw our supplies of truth, instead of following the crooked, devious streams of human tradition, or scholastic interpretation, to say nothing of a thorough knowledge of heathen classics. We believe divine truth is simple and easy of comprehension, when we are willing to accept its necessary conclusions. But when it is desired to engraft upon it heathen philosophy, and at the same time make it appear to be the real teaching of Scripture, it takes much study to do it successfully. We want all the real knowledge we can get, and we want to avoid that which has the appearance merely without the reality. So far as the study of other languages is concerned, no doubt, as this school progresses, there will exist a necessity for instruction in some of the modern languages, and in those in which the Scriptures were written. This truth must go to all the nations around us, and to those who come among us, especially. This will involve the necessity of an acquaintance with these tongues, so as to give ability to teach and translate, as well as to be able to meet the pretended knowledge of opposers who will appeal to the Greek when they can make anything by53so doing. Not that all who should attend would be expected to acquaint themselves with these, yet they should be available to those who are called to labor in these several directions. What further knowledge in them will be necessary? In this direction, a great saving of time will be the result, compared with those who attend established schools, as at present conducted, where a thorough knowledge of language, entirely disconnected from any future use of the student, is expected of all who attend. But an objector will inquire, Where are teachers to come from to do all this? No doubt, this is a question involving some difficulty. We are a people of but few years’ standing, and comparatively few in number, and this consideration would involve more difficulty than with older denominations. But I have no doubt it can be solved. Whenever a necessity exists for the supply of any given want in God’s cause, he will provide means for such supply, when we do all on our part. A school is necessary for the proper advancement of his work. Therefore we believe he will provide in some manner for this supply, when of course we wisely use the means within our reach. If men and women are not now obtainable of the requisite qualifications in all branches of the work, he will furnish them. It will of course be for us to see how far proper gifts are now within reach before we doubt our ability to go forward with this undertaking, or expect him to work in an especial manner for us in this direction. Without doubt, one of the greatest ends to be accomplished to make this school what it should be, is the creation of a moral sentiment in the place where the school shall be located, of sufficient strength to exert a leading and controlling influence for good over the minds of those who shall attend, so that while the intellect is being educated, the spiritual and moral may not suffer loss. It is well known that when the young largely congregate for educational purposes, it is very difficult at all times to hold in check that natural disposition so common among those of that age, to engage in nonsense, frivolity, or even dissipation. Our academies and high schools are generally full of practices inimical to morality and religion. Those who have never attended them little know what is often passing there. Individuals often go to them comparatively pure and unacquainted with vice, and come away moral wrecks. If it is a necessary consequence that this should be the case, it might well be doubted if it would be advisable to establish an institution among us for the instruction of the intellect at the expense of purity of morals. I see no other way to hold in check such influences, but to have a public sentiment sufficiently strong to frown down these dangerous tendencies. Such a public sentiment can only be created by having in the vicinity of the school, men and women enough of sufficient moral perception and stamina of character to stand up for the right at all times, and who will not tolerate wrong and iniquity. Then with a body of directors of the right stamp, in the midst of such an influence, and with God’s gracious blessing, the school might result in great good to every one in attendance. I presume no one will dispute the conclusion I have arrived at, the only question that will arise is, Where can these conditions be met? “Aye; there’s the rub.” I do not believe there is such a place in the land where this state of things fully exists at present. Is it possible to bring about such a condition of things? I believe it is. I believe there may be found individuals scattered here and there who could, without serious detriment to other interests, help form such a community, and be the means of great good in this manner. Are the issues of sufficient importance to warrant the effort? and where shall this school be located, and such a state of things be found? These are questions of importance, and in reference to which there is likely to be a diversity of opinion. For my own part, I am inclined to think it should be in the vicinity of our other institutions. Some of those who will be needed to assist in the school are connected with the publishing department, and it would be difficult to act in two different places. The benefits of the school, in some measure, might be shared in by those young people connected with our other institutions. Our libraries and books of reference will be in connection with our publishing interests, and might at the same time be available for the school. And lastly, the very same state of society and influence so much needed to surround the school, is just as necessary to mold and benefit the Office and Institute as the school. If they are in different places, there is a necessity for two such instead of one, involving nearly double the effort. Still, I am not strenuous upon this point. That the issues involved are of the greatest possible importance, seems very clear to me. I believe, with all my soul, that this is the work of God, and it must soon go through all the land, and will, if we use the means God has given us. Those qualified to go out must be instructed and sent into the harvest field already white. Have our people any hesitation when it comes to this point? If so, I pity their lack of faith. The great danger I feel is, that we stop, and hesitate, and doubt whether God really has owned this work or not. Some, I fear, are in exactly the same position the Israelites were after God had brought them through the Red Sea, and shown his wonders in Egypt, and fed them with manna from Heaven. Because they suffered temporarily for lack of water, they tempted God by saying, “Is the Lord among us, or not?” Ex. 17:7.—The Lord was greatly displeased with them, and they fell by the way. So will those who now hesitate and doubt, if they have had the full blaze of light that some of us have. I for one believe God is in this work; and further, that the necessary means for its advancement are designed by him, and should be used by us. The instruction of proper individuals to sound this glorious message to the world, is certainly one of the most obvious means to help forward the work of God, and must be used by us if we retain the favor of God. Believing thus, and realizing the great necessity that exists of having the proper conditions of success, by establishing such a state of public opinion at Battle Creek, or some other place, as will conduce to the healthy condition of the school, as well as the other institutions already in existence, it seems to me absolutely necessary that proper persons should hold themselves in readiness to act their part in this position. God has several times spoken to us on this point. It is somebody’s duty to heed the call, and some, I am sure, already know their duty in this direction. Such, in the end, will find that “obedience is better than sacrifice,” and that their best interests will be subserved by heeding the light. Immense consequences are dependent upon this point. It will be absolutely out of the question to establish such a school as we should have, unless suitable individuals meet the great want existing in this direction. Those who should lead out in calling for means to establish such a school, never can feel clear in doing it till they feel sure that the proper conditions exist to insure safety when it is established. The school itself would be a curse, if it was not controlled by proper influences. It would be a terrible thing to bring large numbers of young people together, to suffer moral loss and backslide from God, and then go from the center of the work to disseminate doubts in regard to the work itself. Already the important interests centering in Battle Creek demand more than a common watchcare to keep things moving in the right direction; and were it granted that the church there were fully up to the best churches among us, in their influence, yet would it be necessary that a stronger interest should be created for good, because the circumstances there are peculiar and demand especial and leading influences of the right character. The establishment of such a school makes it necessary that there should be persons living there, of means, and, above all, of large, benevolent hearts, possessing piety and devotion to the cause, who would esteem it a privilege to furnish homes for young people, for small remuneration, and who would take a great interest in their soul’s salvation, and have a parental watchcare over them. When young people leave their own homes and go among strangers, how important that they be thrown among proper influences. That such a state of things does not exist to a large extent at present, at Battle Creek, is sufficiently evident to those best acquainted with matters there; and it would be really impossible, as things are at present, there, to have such a school as this cause really demands. But this article is already more lengthy than I intended. There are many things of which I would like to speak, but I will not do so in this. This is a great and important theme, and I hope that those among us better qualified to do it justice, will take their pens, and set the subject out in proper colors. Difficulties no doubt exist. But as this is the cause of God it will not go backward, but forward. These will be overcome as others have been overcome, connected with other institutions. I do not expect it to be accomplished at once, but that our school, already started on a small scale, will grow up under the prospering hand of God as his providence shall indicate, till it shall fill the place of usefulness he has designed it to fill. Individuals may help forward the good work by doing their duty, or may hinder it by holding back. In the one case, they will have God’s blessing, and a good conscience. In the other, God’s frown. It is for each to choose his own position. Perhaps it will be proper for me to say a word in closing these articles upon the subject of this school, as to my motives and design in writing them. I have written what I have, merely to express my feelings and views as to what seems to me an important subject of consideration by our people. I have no wish or intention to act a leading part in establishing this school, I leave that to more experienced hands, to those who have gained the confidence of our people by faithful management of important matters, in the past. When such a state of things exists as will warrant safe action on the part of our people, no doubt those will be heard whose voice will inspire general confidence among us. In the meantime, I wish all to know that I am in hearty favor of a school when it can be established upon a proper basis. Its prospects are important, and it must add greatly to the progress of this truth, when carried out in the proper spirit. May our Heavenly Father guide his people in this important matter, and give them clear light, and may all act well their part in that sphere of action they are best qualified to fill. Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, July 15, 1872.