Announcement Respecting the American Medical Missionary College.
By John Harvey Kellogg
JUST at the present time a very considerable number of our young people are contemplating the study of medicine as a preparation for work for God and humanity. There is certainly no more useful field of activity than that which is being carried on under the supervision of the Medical Missionary Board. The American Medical Missionary College has been established by the board for the purpose of giving the sort of training required to do the work which is expected of physicians in our sanitariums and medical missions. The training given by an ordinary medical college is not sufficient to equip a person fully for this work. In a sanitarium special attention is given to rational physiological methods of caring for the sick. This method has been developed to what might be termed a special system, which is recognized by scientific physicians everywhere, but which requires special facilities and appliances, so that it is not easily applicable elsewhere than in a scientifically equipped sanitarium. Hence a person may obtain an ordinary medical education without becoming at all familiar with sanitarium methods. The only way to become thoroughly acquainted with these methods is by years of contact with the actual work. A few weeks spent in a sanitarium is not sufficient. Those who expect to work under the International Medical Missionary Board should obtain their training in the American Medical Missionary College. There are scores of applicants to this college who desire the special advantages which it affords, and who are willing to pay any price for admission, but who are not received because they are not willing to consecrate their lives to missionary work. No tuition is charged in this school, for the reason that those who enter it are expected, when their education is completed, to join hands with their teachers, colleagues, previous graduates of the school, and the doctors employed in our sanitariums and missions, in carrying forward the great work which they are doing under the International Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association. The high standing of the American Medical Missionary College is recognized, not only in the United States, but in other countries. The standard has been placed high, so as to secure this recognition, which is very essential for the standing and success of medical practitioners, whether missionaries or otherwise. The raising of the legal standard of entrance requirements in several of the States has made it necessary for the Medical Missionary College to advance its grades somewhat, so that this year the entrance requirements are more exacting than heretofore. It is possible, however, for a student to enter the college, even though he may be lacking in several of the requirements named in the announcement, provided, of course, that he has the fundamentals of a good English education. These advanced studies may be made up during the college year or during the first summer vacation. In some instances a somewhat longer time may be allowed. To assist students in making up these studies, arrangements may be made for special classes during the coming year and next summer, for the benefit of those who have conditions. Professor Kirby, of Battle Creek College, will have general charge of these classes, and the arrangements are such that the student will be given a most favorable opportunity for making up any back work which may be required. All who are expecting to enter upon the study of medicine during the coming year, or at any time in the future, are earnestly requested to write the undersigned at once. Much time and disappointment may be saved by timely suggestions, which will be freely given. It is not the purpose of this note to urge young men or young women whom the Lord has called into other lines of work, to take up medical work, but only to bring those who feel a call of duty in this direction in touch with sources of reliable information. J. H. KELLOGG,
President American Medical Missionary College,
Battle Creek, Mich.