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Editorial Correspondence

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 1, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 5.

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Editorial Correspondence

By F. M. W.

COLLEGE VIEW, NEBR., JAN. 19, 1912.
IMPORTANT denominational interests are centered at this place. Here is located Union College, the largest and one of the oldest educational institutions of the denomination. Formerly it operated departments of instruction for the German, Danish-Norwegian, and Swedish, in connection with a large English department. Two years ago the foreign departments were discontinued, and separate institutions established for the preparation of workers in these tongues. This naturally reduced the general enrolment of the school. The present attendance, however, numbers over two hundred ninety. An excellent spirit seems to actuate the students. The very large majority are preparing for direct work in connection with this movement. Many will go out to sell the printed page; others will engage in Bible work and in the preaching of the Word; some will labor in connection with the various conferences of the home field, and some in other lands.
Already nearly two hundred students from this school have found places in the mission fields. This is but an earnest of the greater number who, we believe, will go out in the future. One has only to look into the bright, earnest faces of the young men and women in this and similar educational institutions to see there the hope of the speedy completion of this message in the future. These are the men and women who will grow into the responsibility of to-morrow, and who will go forth to meet the trials and difficulties which must be encountered in the carrying of this message to earth's remotest bounds. Prof. Frederick Griggs and his earnest associates are doing excellent work in this important institution. The curriculum of study is generous and practical, affording an excellent opportunity for the young men and women who desire to obtain a liberal education to fit them for a part in this great work.
At this place is also located one of our four large publishing houses in the United States, the International Publishing Association. Established in the autumn of 1903, this publishing house was beset by many difficulties, and passed through a severe struggle incident to the establishment of its work. It is succeeding admirably now. Publications are issued in the German, Danish-Norwegian, and Swedish tongues.
Four regular periodicals are issued in German: the Christlicher Hausfreund, a sixteen-page weekly, with Theodore Valentiner editor; the Deutscher Arbeiter, an eight-page biweekly, with G. W. Erfurth editor; a monthly paper for the youth, and a missionary quarterly. In the Danish-Norwegian is printed the Evangeliets Sendebud, with C. A. Thorp editor; the Missionaeren, with Hansigne Strunge, editor; and a health quarterly, Lys over Landet. Tidens Tecken och Sions Vaktare is the name of the leading Swedish paper, a sixteen-page weekly, with Alfred Vermelin editor. The Signalen, an eight-page monthly, with Bettie Svenson editor, is likewise issued in the Swedish tongue. These periodicals have a growing circulation and are creating a large constituency of readers. God is using them for the accomplishment of a great work in the giving of the message to the foreign nationalities in this country.
The annual sale of literature for the association has increased from sixteen thousand dollars in 1906 to over thirty-eight thousand dollars in 1911, more than double the output in the last six years. Here is found a company of devoted and faithful workers who, under God, are laboring hard to spread abroad among their own nationalities a saving knowledge of the gospel message for this time. Brother F. F. Byington is the manager of the association.
The Nebraska Sanitarium, one of our oldest medical institutions, was established at College View some fifteen years ago. We are pleased to note many improvements in the institution since our last visit. Much has been done in the way of needed repairs and improvements. Here is being demonstrated that faithful medical attention in the care of patients, with the manifestation of a kindly Christian spirit, will succeed in accomplishing much for afflicted humanity and in winning souls to Christ without costly and expensive buildings. Three nurses’ classes are in operation, and the institution has an excellent class of young people preparing to go out in the cause of medical missions. Drs. Orville Rockwell and Amy Humphrey are doing good work with the facilities with which they have to labor. Recently Elder Lars Neilson has taken charge of the institution as business manager, and is carrying forward the work with faithfulness. Elder H. R. Johnson is doing good work as chaplain. The branch sanitarium at Hastings is making a place for itself in the hearts of its constituency, and an excellent report comes of the work that is being carried forward by Dr. O. H. Hahn as medical superintendent and Brother W. A. Williams as business manager.
One of the largest churches of the denomination is centered at College View. Elder F. M. Burg has oversight of its spiritual interests in addition to his work as Bible instructor in the college. A great responsibility is thrown upon the conference and the church officers in this large congregation of Sabbath-keepers. It is to be hoped that those who have come here for the education of their children, or otherwise, may obtain that preparation for service which will enable scores to go out from this great center as light-bearers in connection with this closing work. The spirit of the gospel is the spirit of diffusion, of giving. Our large churches should be great training centers from which workers will be going out continually into needy fields.
As stated last week, the ministerial institute has opened most encouragingly. Three lines of instruction are being carried forward; namely, the message, the messenger, and the power of the messenger, or the Holy Spirit. Elders Daniells, Thompson, and Salisbury are giving some excellent instruction. Two hundred fifty conference workers are in attendance, nearly as large a number as attended the General Conference held at this place fifteen years ago. This of itself indicates the wonderful strides being made by this great movement with which we are connected. We are nearing the time of its final triumph. God’s people are reaching out after that mighty power from heaven which will bring the work to a speedy close. May we all have a part in this glorious refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and be fitted more efficiently to carry forward the message committed to us. A more detailed account of the special work of the convention will be given next week.
F. M. W.