The Largest University

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 7, 1907

The Largest University

“BARBARA ALLEN must give up her college course and take the whole family upon her shoulders. I should think she would completely collapse under the responsibility,” Florence Holliday said.

“Good substitute,” remarked her father, laconically. “Next best thing to a college course.”

“Why, Papa Holliday, what can you mean? How can Barbara’s going out into the world, to teach in a little country school or keep books, and at the same time be eyes and ears for her sick sister, and brain for a worn-out, nervous mother, and pocket-book for a whole family, ever take the place of those lovely higher mathematics and classics, and everything that a girl gets at college?” And Florence paused to take breath.

“You have said it yourself, dear, in your question,” answered her father. “We have all noticed Barbara’s development since she has had the responsibility of bringing the outside world to her sick sister and mother. She sees and hears everything with keener senses, and is becoming very clever and skilful in reproducing the best points of every concert, lecture, or entertainment she attends. She tries to get out of these pleasures that which she feels her mother or sick Harriet would select, and she has unconsciously trebled her powers of enjoyment and of entertainment.”

Responsibilities borne in the right spirit are among the greatest educators God gives to his children. In the place of the discipline of higher mathematics, they offer the necessity for dealing with the commonplace, every-day problems of the support and care of others. As a substitute for the finished culture of a classical course, responsibility teaches a habitual forgetfulness of self and thoughtful consideration for others.

This University of Responsibility does no advertising, and can not be called popular. Its curriculum is varied and difficult, and the tuition is high, but upon the youth who take its training, and take it bravely and faithfully, it confers a degree which gives him high rank among the noblest of earth.—Classmate.