“God leads in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.” These words are forced from the lips of those who have watched the progress of events since the first steps were taken toward moving Battle Creek College. Where to locate was the great question. God had promised to lead. He has led in a miraculous way.
I.— FRONT VIEW OF THE COURTHOUSE BUILDING.
When the disposal of the Battle Creek plant was the all-important question, Dr. Kellogg arranged for the purchase of the buildings. He has promised the educational society its equity after the mortgage sale, the first of November. This equity will be applied on the new buildings at Berrien Springs. To escape an $80,000 debt and have about $25,000 to put into the new plant was recognized as providential leading. At first it was as if we were compelled to move forward by some unseen force, but to-day we look upon the temporary quarters, and thank God for having directed us to Berrien Springs. As work on the farm progresses, and the site for the buildings is cleared, it becomes evident to all that the choice was a wise one.
Among all the locations which were considered, in no other place could the school have rented buildings to accommodate its students until the institution could erect permanent buildings. Cut 1 gives a view of the courthouse buildings, in which the school work will be carried on. There is a chapel with a seating capacity for three hundred, and ample room for offices and class work. When the first service was held in the chapel, some one expressed the thought that these buildings must have been held in trust for just such a time as this. There was another cause for rejoicing that same evening. For weeks it has been a question what to do for a dormitory and dining-room. The village is small, and it seemed impossible to find room enough for the prospective students. It was a test of faith. Cuts 2 and 3 show the north and east sides of the hotel which has been procured for a students’ home. This building has over fifty sleeping-rooms, a large dining-hall, plenty of kitchen room, besides several public rooms. Mrs. H. P. Holser, a woman of wide experience, will act as matron and preceptress. Without doubt God has directed in this movement.
The time has fully come for a training school which will be such in the truest sense of the term. There are men and women of ability scattered all through our churches who should become missionaries. They are waiting for the opportunity to take a brief training. They can now get this training. Emmanuel Missionary College offers it.
“It should be the aim of our schools,” says the Spirit of Prophecy, “to provide the best instruction and training for Bible workers. Our Conferences should see that the schools are provided with teachers who are thorough Bible teachers, and who have a deep Christian experience. The best ministerial talent should be brought into our schools.”
This instruction has been followed. The General Conference recognized the importance of the time and the demand for laborers. As a result the school will have the assistance of Elders W. W. Prescott, A. G. Daniells, and W. A. Spicer, and we hope Elder and Mrs. Haskell. These individuals will spend some time in the school, giving regular instruction to ministers and other evangelical workers.
The Lord has done abundantly above what we could ask. The Conference has followed divine instruction in furnishing teachers. What remains to insure success? The answer is given in “An Appeal for Missions” addressed to and published by the Foreign Mission Board in 1898. Here is the instruction:—
“The churches have a part to act. They should see that those who ought to receive its benefits attend the school. They should assist worthy persons, who have not the means, to obtain an education.
“If our church-members were awake, they would multiply their resources; they would send men and women to our schools, not to go through a long course of study, but to learn quickly, and to go out into the field. . . . Let workers enter the field without going through many preliminaries.”
2.— NORTH FRONT OF HOTEL.
Aside from the attention given to the ministerial department, the entire force of the faculty will be devoted to the training of workers to enter our various institutions and to work everywhere in the cause. Students are prepared by this institution to enter the medical school or the nurses’ class. Christian business men, office help, bookkeepers, and stenographers can receive a training here. Ministers, canvassers, and teachers not only receive a training, but, when qualified, will be put to work.
It is time for individuals and for the churches to step out. The Third Angel’s Message called us out of the world to keep the Sabbath. To-day it calls us to take another step,—to grasp the principles of Christian education and become active missionaries. Let us cut loose from those things which bind us, and come at once. Let the faith which was required to move the institution out of Battle Creek now lead churches and individuals to follow the further direction of the Lord in the education of an army of workers.
As God directed in the selection of the new site; as He has provided commodious winter quarters for the school; and as a strong corps of teachers has been provided by the General Conference, the questions still to be answered are these: First, will those who should take a preparation now respond to the call? Secondly, will men of means who hear the pleadings of needy fields assist worthy persons who lack means, to prepare for this work?
The fall term opens October 30. Every student should endeavor to be present at the opening session. Write for calendar. All who are interested in the school or who desire to help in any way should correspond with
