Battle Creek College by S. Brownsberger

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 9, 1875

Battle Creek College.

By S. Brownsberger

The fall term closes the 17th of this month. One week still remains. The attendance is not as good this term as it should be, yet, considering the fact that until within a few months no effort has been made to encourage attendance from abroad, but rather to discourage it, our numbers have met our expectation. The time has now fully come, when every effort on the part of all interested in the prosperity of our school, should be put forth to fill our building with worthy persons desiring an education.

By the providence of God, a school has been established to which you may send your children, where they will not be exposed to the influences which so largely prevail in other schools.

It was supposed that the need of such an institution was deeply felt by all those who had children to be educated and who deplored the necessity of sending to the public schools. Such, indeed, should hail with joy the announcement of the successful operation, thus far, of this enterprise. Successful to this degree: that a noble response has been made to the call for subscriptions for stock; that beautiful grounds have been purchased; that a building that does honor to such an enterprise has been erected, one that will accommodate triple the number now in attendance; that the current expenses have almost fully been met thus far by tuition received from the students (a fact that cannot be said perhaps of any other school, in the first years of its existence); that those who have come to enjoy its benefits have gone away with good reports; finally, that it has a good report from without, and many of our citizens with those in the surrounding country deem it a privilege to send their sons and daughters to share in the benefits of the discipline and the safeguards guaranteed to all in attendance.

It is an interesting fact that of the whole number of students that have come here this term, about one-fifth are from the city of Battle Creek and vicinity, and are from families not in the Advent faith.

Moreover, some have been refused admittance for the sake of guarding the interests of those comparatively innocent.

Battle Creek College exists for the benefit particularly of Adventists, and if God has deemed it a necessity, those have a duty whose necessities it is designed in the providence of God to meet. There are hundreds of young people in our ranks who would honor God and secure his blessing, if they would devote their lives to his service, and would at once seek that cultivation of heart and mind that would make them useful in his cause. Does not God hold parents accountable for the manner in which they treat this matter—whether they act promptly or pass the matter by with indifference? Parents can certainly afford to sacrifice in a matter of so much importance. Giving their children the advantages of mental culture under special religious influences, is the best legacy they can bestow upon them. It is an effort that God will certainly approve.

Let us, then, qualify ourselves for more efficient labor by cultivating heart and mind, particularly at this time, when we are called upon to prepare for a conflict in which our safety and triumph will depend on what we have done in the cause of God’s truth.

How much we shall accomplish will depend upon how much cultivation we possess and with what degree of zeal and discretion we apply ourselves. Certainly God is our dependence under all circumstances. Through him we triumph. Nevertheless, he requires us to make the most of our abilities by a judicious cultivation.

The cause of God must have laborers, devoted and efficient laborers. Are parents willing to give their children as a free-will offering to the cause of God? The work of God is great, and few have put their hand to it. When I contemplate its greatness, and see so few who are preparing for it, from so vast an army of our young, my heart is pained. Is there any doubt how God views the scene? It is certain that he would be pleased to have his people improving every opportunity presented to shield and instruct our young people. God is blessing our school. His Spirit is with us. It takes hold of the unsanctified, softens their hard hearts, and leads them to love his precious truth. The way is open. Who will come?

S. BROWNSBERGER.