Healdsburg College, and Its Relation to the Pacific Slope.
By S. N. H.
THE subject of education has ever been one of importance to the people of God. When the Lord brought Israel into the wilderness and gave them the law, he gave special instruction concerning the education of the children. Of his commandments, he said: "Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." The children of Israel were not only to be familiar with the law and statutes themselves, but were to teach them to their children, so that they also might understand the requirements of God. They were to instruct their children in every important transaction which showed the character and power of God. When they crossed the River Jordan, one man from each tribe was required to take a stone from where the priests’ feet had stood, and carry it to the place where they were to lodge the following night. This was to be a sign among them so that when their children asked their fathers in time to come, saying, "What mean ye by these stones?" then they were to answer that "the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord." The recital of these events to the children would make lasting impressions upon their minds of the wonderful dealings of God with his people. The success of the people in keeping from idolatry, lay in storing the minds of their children with a knowledge of God as shown in his marvelous works. After Israel became settled in the land of Canaan, schools were established called the "schools of the prophets." From the meager reference we have concerning them, it is evident that those who attended them not only performed manual labor but they went forth instructing Israel, and then returned to receive further instruction in these institutions of learning. The Bible does not inform us to what extent they were instructed in the sciences, but it is evident that some of the Bible writers, who must have been connected more or less with these schools, were educated in the various sciences. Every precaution was taken to guard Israel from imbibing heathen customs. At one time they were required to wear in the borders of their garments a ribbon of blue, that they might look upon it and remember God’s commandments to do them. To send their children to the schools of the heathen, would have brought upon them the wrath of God. In the days of our Saviour this school system was in great repute among the Jews. Jewish parents, although living in the great centers of learning, sent their children to their own schools at Jerusalem. Those who attended the schools among the Greeks, were looked upon with suspicion by the more devout Jews. As long as they faithfully served God, this proved a source of strength and piety. The Saviour in teaching the disciples, carried out the same principles which had been established in the law, and570which had ever been regarded by the Jews as very sacred. In the instruction which he gave to the disciples, he sanctioned mental training combined with moral discipline. There is nothing in the Scriptures, by precept or example, that countenances sending the youth of God's people to unbelievers for their education. The principles of the school system which has been established by the people of God, are in harmony with divine revelation. Those looking for the second coming of Christ, cannot afford to sacrifice the morals of their children by sending them to unbelievers to receive instruction in the sciences. There are but few such schools among us, and these of themselves cannot accomplish all that should be done among our people. What should be the nature of these schools, and how should they be conducted, so that their influence may reach and benefit those who cannot attend them, is an important question. There are, at present, three large schools, established at the expense of about $150,000. It is of the highest importance that these be more than ordinary schools in discipline, in method of teaching, and in moral training, and that they be surrounded with the best of influences. It is exceedingly difficult in these large schools to secure that class of teachers and surroundings that will give the right mould of character to those who attend. There should be among the people of God hundreds of schools where these same principles are taught to those who cannot have the benefit of attending the schools already established. It would be an undertaking far beyond our means and ability, to establish many such schools through the different Conferences of our people, and yet our people need their influence in all parts of the field. Our large schools should be more devoted to the education of laborers who will go forth as ministers, colporters, and teachers of the youth and children in the churches and in private families. These teachers should not only be prepared to teach the sciences and the fear of God to the children, but to instruct the churches in missionary work and in the Sabbath-school interest. Our colleges should also develop instructors who can hold institutes at our camp-meetings and other large gatherings. Missionaries should go from these schools to new fields, and be prepared not only to labor in the ordinary manner, but to impart instructions to others, in harmony with the principles taught in the larger schools. If this plan be carried out, then the friends in the various Conferences, and in fact all over the field, can receive the benefit of the large schools which are now in successful operation. We say, Select your best men and women who are apt to teach, send them to these large schools, and then multiply your small schools and institutes. The responsibility of these large schools is too great for any one small Conference to take. They should have the moral support of the people of God, throughout the length and breadth of the land. We do not say that there should be no more large schools than what we now have. If the proper instructors could be found, and if sufficient means could be obtained, we would heartily indorse the idea of having many such schools. But with the scarcity of laborers and the importance of raising the standard high, as it should be in our schools, we would suggest that before entering upon any more large school enterprises the matter be well considered. The Pacific Coast has one school in successful operation. It has been established in the providence of God. And it requires a capital of not less than $50,000 to make such a school a success, combining with it manual labor, teaching the higher branches, and carrying out the principles which are necessary to qualify men and women to labor successfully in the cause of God. It would be exceedingly difficult for these smaller schools to have the labor system connected with them, and to have the higher branches taught. We see no reason why the Northern Conferences of the Pacific Coast cannot have each spring, the labors of a competent person in giving instruction to those who wish to go out to labor. It would be well for those who wish to labor as ministers, colporters, in holding Bible readings, and in teaching, as far as possible, to take one or more terms at the Healdsburg College. Then, by means of institutes and smaller schools, its influence will be felt all over the Pacific Slope. It has been truly a Godsend that on the Pacific Coast there has been such a school established as the Healdsburg College. It should have the patronage, moral and financial, of all the friends, old and young, on the Pacific Coast. Laborers have already gone from it as far as Washington Territory and the islands of the Pacific Ocean. We cannot speak too highly of combining all of the principles of education, mental, moral, and physical training. But we long to see the time when our brethren and sisters will wake up to the importance of having teachers that have been properly instructed by those of experience in every branch and phase of the work, go forth all through the land, giving that help to the various churches which is so much needed. Our schools and colleges should be great missionary centers, from which men and women will go forth to all parts of the world. The same spirit that the Saviour infused into the disciples should characterize these seminaries of learning. The disciples loved not their lives unto death; they went everywhere preaching the word, the Lord working with them in signs, and converting power attended their labors. Our schools are missionary schools of the highest type, and should ever be conducted by those who have drunk deeply of the spirit of the heavenly Master. May God bless our schools, and those that are connected with them, and hasten the time when teachers from them will be instructing many thousands of children all through our churches, in a practical knowledge of divine things.