Fifty Students More After Camp-Meeting.
By S. Brownsberger
THOUGH the attendance at the College during the first few weeks of the year is all that we could reasonably expect, there is room for fifty more students. We believe that this number is scattered somewhere in California, and should be here after the camp-meeting.
We have learned of quite a number of persons in middle life who intend to leave their farms and other business, to enter the College. Of course these men and women are not expected to enter our regular school-classes. Special classes in the Bible, and the common branches, and missionary work, must be formed for such, to meet their present necessities, and give them practical drill in the very work for which they desire to prepare themselves.
The teaching force now at the College is no more than sufficient to do the work for the classes already organized; it therefore becomes a necessity that some efficient help be secured to do the work for these special classes, which shall be formed immediately after the camp-meeting.
It has been arranged to spare Dr. E. J. Waggoner from the SIGNS Office to undertake this work. All must see that this is done at a great sacrifice to the paper; but it is thought that his services at the College, just at this time, devoted exclusively to preparing laborers for the field, will result in greater good to the cause than it would at the SIGNS Office.
The Doctor is a Bible student, a practical teacher, and is filled with the spirit of the great message. He knows just what preparation is needed by those going out to labor in the message in any capacity; and what is of equal importance—he understands just what instruction will secure them this preparation.
There is no doubt that the closing work of this message will be done principally by men and women who are now on their farms, and in their trades, and have but little idea that they shall ever have an important part to act in teaching the people. The College was established to help such to prepare. They should have practical drill, how to go from house to house with Bible in hand, and read the truths to the people, and to hold Bible-readings in neighborhoods where a general interest to learn the truth can be awakened. The instruction in missionary work will be adapted to the wants of those who cannot leave their homes to labor in the field.
To do this most effectually will require a familiarity with the Bible, a knowledge of general history, a decent respect for “the king’s English,” and withal a discretion in adapting their instruction to the circumstances and minds of those visited.
The instruction at the College for the Biblical students will embrace (1) How to conduct Bible readings, and a thorough drill in familiarizing the student with the matter to be chosen for such readings. (2) A daily exercise in Biblical history. (3) Practical exercises in the use of the English language. (4) Penmanship and letter-writing. (5) Elements of logic. (6) Physiology and Hygiene.
We trust that all interested in this instruction will not allow this opportunity to pass unimproved.
S. BROWNSBERGER.
Healdsburg, Aug. 30, 1883.