p. 211 | Visit to Healdsburg by Ellet Joseph Waggoner

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 10, 1883

Visit to Healdsburg.

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

THE meeting at this place was in many respects one of the most important that has ever been held in the State. Many advanced steps were taken; and the plans adopted, if properly carried out, cannot fail to have an influence on the cause for good, until the close of time. These things will appear more fully in the official reports of the business meetings, and in special reports. We design to simply speak of the general features of the meeting, and give some items in regard to the work here, in which all our people on the coast have, or should have, an interest.

Friday forenoon was devoted to a meeting of the stockholders of the College. On entering the building we were struck with the floral decorations of the school-room. The busy hands of students had been at work, and the doors, chandeliers, rostrum, organ, and clock had been neatly ornamented with roses and evergreens. We were pleased with this, not so much for the decoration itself, as for the evidence it afforded that the students have a love for the school-room, which can only come from a love of the studies there pursued.

The favorable impression thus received was deepened by a brief visit to the school on Monday. About ninety students were present, and quiet study seemed to be the order of the day. The professors have naturally felt a little discouragement because as yet there are no students in the higher branches; but we could see no reason for discouragement. The recitations showed that the students have already received a discipline of mind that will not readily be lost; they are forming correct habits of study, which is the essential thing. These things would be more readily noticed by a visitor than by one closely connected with the school. We can most heartily recommend the Healdsburg College; and we feel assured that the improvements in contemplation by the professors, who are devoted to the work, will add a hundred-fold to its usefulness. Opportunities for mental and spiritual culture are here afforded, which it would be a sin for our people to neglect.

We were much pleased to note the interest manifested in the Sabbath-school. This is now the second school in size in the State, and with the influx of students will doubtless soon be the first. This school will be, from the nature of the case, the most important school in the State. An increase of numbers will bring increased responsibility in far greater measure than in ordinary cases, for as the students go to their homes, the influence of this school will be felt on all the schools on the coast. We believe that the officers of the school realize this responsibility, and will do all in their power to make the school what it should be. We hope that all who attend will second their efforts.

There has been a vast improvement in this school since we were there last. The organization of the school is good, and there seemed to be a feeling of harmony present. At the teachers’ meeting Monday evening twenty-two of the twenty-five teachers were present, and a good degree of interest was manifested. So long as an interest is kept up in the teachers’ meeting the school cannot fail to prosper. But it should not be forgotten that united prayer is one great object of this meeting.

There is but one thing now lacking, and that, unfortunately, is not peculiar to this school. The same lack exists in Oakland, and we believe it exists in all our schools, and among our people generally. There is a lack of appreciation of the importance of the Sabbath-school work as affording discipline of mind and a thorough education in the things of God. There is a lack of thoroughness in Bible study. The Sabbath-school has been regarded as different from the day-school, in that it was not expected that the lesson should be learned perfectly. There has been such an apparent fear of formalism, and a desire to be able to generalize and state things in our own language, that we have neglected that accurate knowledge of the Bible which alone can enable us to generalize. The particular is before the general. Before we venture to state a Bible event or truth in our own words, we must be familiar with the words of the sacred text; then, if necessary we can paraphrase. But the instances where it is necessary or proper to change the expression in the least, in order to convey its exact meaning, are more rare than is commonly supposed.

This thoroughness of work depends on the individual members of the schools. The officers and teachers cannot demand a perfect recitation, as they would in ordinary schools, however much they may desire the result; but if each member of the school will realize the importance of being able to think and talk in the language of the Bible, especially in these last days, our schools will be improved a thousand-fold.

The sermons during the meetings were by Elder Haskell, Elder Waggoner, and Sister White. They were all of a practical nature, designed to show us the necessities of our present position. Sister White’s two sermons were mainly on the subject of the atonement, especially Christ’s closing work in the heavenly sanctuary. Christ will soon cease his pleading, and probation will close for all mankind. We know not how soon our individual cases may come up for decision. As on the typical day of atonement the people were to afflict their souls, so in this most important time, there should be an absence of lightness and frivolity, and, in their stead, deep searching of heart and entire consecration to the work. The cause of God is all-important, and we should learn to attend to its wants in preference to our own work or pleasure.

Elder Waggoner spoke Sabbath afternoon from the fifth chapter of Peter’s first epistle. We are commanded to be sober and vigilant, because the devil as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. The inference is plain that those who are not thus watchful will be devoured. We are helped in this by casting all our care on God, who cares for us. Too often we feel great confidence in God in times of comparative safety, but foolishly attempt to care for ourselves when we see trouble and danger. He dwelt much on the text, “Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility.” A failure to comply with this injunction is the cause of all the church difficulties that exist. Many persons quit the service of God because of some grievance, oftener imaginary than real, which they have received from their brethren. The wickedness and absurdity of such a course was vividly illustrated as follows: “I have a father who is kind and loving, lavishing on me every gift that heart could desire. Nothing that is good is withheld from me. He studies my needs, and anticipates my slightest want. But I have a brother who is selfish, and who slights and even abuses me; contrary to my father’s will. Now because of this petty slight from my brother, I will turn my good father out of doors, and refuse to have anything more to do with him!” We believe that many made a profitable application of this sermon to themselves.

Friday afternoon Elder Haskell spoke briefly of the Waldenses, whom he visited on his recent trip to Europe. He spoke of the persecutions which they had suffered for their unswerving devotion to the truth of the Bible. Their children were instructed from the Bible, and were taught to love it. The Bible was their text-book, and their characters were molded by it. The result is seen in their descendants, who are characterized by a sturdy simplicity and uprightness that is in marked contrast to the immorality that prevails in Southern Italy, where Catholicism has borne sway, and the Bible is almost an unknown book. These people are all ready to receive the whole truth of God, but where are the men who have the knowledge, the missionary zeal, and enough of the spirit of sacrifice to go and instruct them in the way of life? A strong appeal was made, and both speaker and congregation were deeply affected. His sermon Sunday morning was on the subject of faith applied especially to labor in the cause of God.

These plain testimonies and earnest appeals were not without effect. As one brother remarked, “Any one who could go through these meetings and not be stirred with a desire to labor in God’s cause, is in a hard case.” Eight or ten students volunteered to spend their vacation in the missionary field, in active service. With most of them this is their first attempt. Others, who are not able to go into the field, will engage in the work at home. If these students spend their vacation in earnest, conscientious labor, they will not only be a great blessing to the cause in this State, but their own souls will be watered, and they will enter upon the work of the next college year with clearer minds and enlarged ideas, much better prepared than now to profit by the instruction which they will receive. We hope to soon see the number of earnest missionary workers who shall go out from the college largely increased.

E. J. W.