ORGANIZATION OF THE BERRIEN SPRINGS CHURCH.
By M. Bessie DeGraw
Four months ago the people of Berrien Springs looked askance at the few Adventists who visited their village in search of a new site for Battle Creek College. Evidently many felt as one man expressed himself: “At first I was full of prejudice, and did not care to know them; finally, I attended some of their meetings in the grove, and I found that my prejudice was without foundation.” The meetings referred to were held in the pavilion two evenings each week as long as the summer school lasted. As the students gathered for worship each morning and evening, the sound of their voices floated over the quiet village, and their songs reached many an unexpected ear. Thus little by little the workers gathered here exerted an influence in the community. There has been no effort to enter into controversy; the ministers have been undisturbed, and no attack has been made, much as it was feared, but instead our people have joined their voices in prayer and song in the weekly prayer-meetings; they have worked with the ladies of the W. C. T. U. until there is a spirit of inquiry regarding our principles of dress and diet. When Dr. and Mrs. Edwards came for the opening of school, there were patients in waiting for them, and at the opening exercises of the college the hope was openly expressed by citizens that a sanitarium might be established at Berrien Springs. A few weeks ago steps were taken to organize a church, a few teachers and students forming the nucleus. That the students in attendance during the fall term might have the privilege of becoming charter members, the roster is left open until January. In organizing, the church, the Sabbath-school, and the missionary society were closely united, the leader of each being a member of the Executive Board. Prof. J. H. Haughey was elected leader of the church, and Dr. Edwards was made superintendent of the Sabbath-school. A church-school board was appointed at the first meeting, and arrangements made for the education of the children. This is to be a real church school, every member helping in the support, and free education being offered to every child who applies for admission. It is proposed to make the church as nearly ideal as possible. We have begun by looking after the children, and laying the financial burden upon all. The Sabbath-school also has a high standard in view; it is hoped to make it a real training station for Sabbath-school workers.