Close of the Healdsburg College Year.
By S. N. HASKELL
TUESDAY, May 29, the third term of the Healdsburg school closed. During this first year there have been enrolled nearly two hundred students. The first term there were about thirty in attendance, but the number gradually increased, and the last term there were over one hundred and thirty enrolled. The blessing of God has attended the school enterprise in California. It was in the providence of God that a lot and school building were purchased for less than $4,000, while it would have cost not less than $10,000 to purchase a lot and erect a building of equal size and quality. Since then a boarding-house has been erected, on a site of five acres, which will accommodate seventy-five or eighty students. This building, 38x100, is plain and substantial in all respects. It is neat in appearance, but no means has been expended for style or show. It is thoroughly built from cellar to attic. In the basement kitchen there are arrangements for a bakery and for cooking, so that those who attend may be instructed in the culinary art. There are also rooms for some mechanical employment. On the first floor are the spacious dining-room, wash-rooms, office, and two large parlors opening together by sliding doors. These will be used for morning and evening worship, instructions in sewing, etc. The second and third floors are sleeping-rooms. The boys will occupy the third floor and the girls the second. The attic is one large room suitable for such work as quilting, making mattresses and that class of work requiring much room. Those attending the school will perform a sufficient amount of useful labor to give a healthy tone of mind and body. The object of this school is not only to give instruction in the sciences, but to care for the students morally, physically, and mentally, and maintain such discipline as will fit men and women for usefulness in society and especially in the cause of God. The Spirit of God has seemed to second every effort which has been made in this direction in connection with the school. As yet no manual labor has been connected with it, but steps have been taken toward making the necessary preparation for this branch, and these arrangements will be completed before the beginning of the next school year in July. The missionary spirit exists throughout the school. Even some of the small children manifested a desire to be, in some way, connected with the cause of God. Such a cheerful, hopeful spirit as was manifested by teachers and students in view of directly connecting the school interests with the cause of God was sufficient to encourage every person who has any interest in the Third Angel's Message. Could our brethren and sisters on the Pacific Coast once become acquainted with the real object of the school and the relation which it sustains to the closing work of the gospel, there would be scores of young men and women who are now engaged in other employments that would turn their attention to making a preparation to engage in the cause of our divine Lord and Master. Tuesday, 11 A. M., was the hour appointed for the closing exercises. It consisted in remarks upon the nature and object of the school, and what we might expect of the Lord, if each acted well his part. The students are mostly young. There are but a few young men and women in comparison to the number which attended; and yet of this number there were thirteen who go out during this present vacation to engage in the work of God. They are anxious to be gaining a practical experience in the work, while obtaining theoretical knowledge. During the last three weeks Eld. Waggoner has had charge of the Bible Class, which has contributed much to the interests of the school. During the vacation the professors go out to visit the churches, and we hope that each of the churches may receive a visit from some one of these who have been connected with the school as teachers. They will form an acquaintance with our brethren and be enabled to set before them the true nature and object of the school with its needs. Thus our people will become acquainted with the school and its workings as it will be presented by the professors themselves. Our brethren will be glad to see them, and if there are those who have any thought of attending the school they will have the privilege of consulting the proper persons concerning it. This will be a source of encouragement for our brethren and sisters. The object of the school is not only to raise up laborers for the California Conference, but to prepare men and women to labor in the cause of God wherever260his providence may direct. We expect students from Nevada and the North Pacific Conferences as well as California. Already we have heard of a number who expect to attend the next term. We invite Oregon and Washington Territory, the two Conferences north, to co-operate with us in the enterprise. The islands of the Pacific Ocean, Australia, and other places west of California must have laborers at no distant day and it becomes us to lay our plans accordingly. Already the Macedonian cry comes from across the waters, "Come over and help us." To aid in answering this cry has been one object the founders of the school have had in contemplation. We have a great work to perform, and if we had many years in which to accomplish it, we would not be in so great haste. We must remember that time is short; and what is done in preparing men and women to connect themselves with the work of God, must be done speedily. Seventh-day Adventists have before them a definite object. It is not to give an education in sciences to connect our people with worldly enterprises; but it is to forward the message adapted to this time; and while obtaining this education, to also obtain an experience in labor, so when those who are attending school have acquired some knowledge of the sciences they will also have a practical experience in the work which they have in view. All are invited to come who wish to avail themselves of its advantages. It belongs to the people who have the interests of the cause of God, at heart, and when our brethren become better acquainted with its character, and know that it is already sending forth laborers into the field, their interest in the school will increase. If such results can be seen when the school has been in operation only one year, and many of these came to the school without that object in view, it certainly will be an encouraging feature to all. The school enterprise is of God. It should be patronized and have the sympathy and prayers of God's people everywhere.