THE COMMENCEMENT by C. W. S.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 11, 1877

THE COMMENCEMENT.

By C. W. S.

What with the commencement of the year, the opening of another College term, and the new classification of our Sabbath-school, we are led to resolve, rejoice, and be hopeful.

With the opening year, we resolve to consecrate ourself anew to the work. With the fair prospects of the Battle Creek College, as it opens with 185 students and a corps of good teachers, we are pleased. As we looked in upon our Sabbath-school yesterday, with its 213 scholars arranged in 23 classes, we were hopeful.

The winter term of the College began Jan. 5. For several days before, students were arriving from California, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, New York, Ohio, Vermont—looking for places to room and provisions and equipments for the siege; and when the morning of the “first day” came, the capacious hall at the College was enlivened by an assemblage of students, composed of men and women, youths, boys and girls, whose faces seemed to tell of an inward satisfaction with the prospect.

After the singing of a hymn, Eld. U. Smith opened the term by prayer. The organization of classes had been kept so that the old pupils had only to begin where they left off, and the new ones were readily assigned their places after an examination.

The school is composed largely of men and women, younger or older, who have entered it with a definite object in view—many for the purpose of fitting themselves to labor in the harvest-field of the Lord. As a consequence, the school is a body of real intelligence. Many are attending, who have to calculate very closely financially. These will know the value of every hour. They have not come here to fool away time. Sons of fathers who are ready to sacrifice strength and means for their education are here. God bless the lads; may they appreciate parental love.

The Biblical lectures by Eld. Smith commenced last Friday morning. Forty-seven were in attendance, and it is expected that several more will join the class. The writer remembers expressing many times, while living among the dear old Green Mountains, the wish that he might attend a course of Eld. Smith’s lectures at Battle Creek. These lines are penned with a heart full of gratitude to God that the unseen way has opened, and the time has come. Would that many others I might name were here. Come, brethren, come and learn how to work.

With the increase of students, our Sabbath meetings are made larger. Last Sabbath there were 450 present by estimate. We tried to speak to them from these words: “Who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?” 1 Chron. 29:5. The subject seemed applicable to the time and place. The special responsibility resting upon the members of this church in view of the large number of young people in our midst demands a consecration of heart and a purity of life, that a proper influence may be exerted, and good examples set.

The social meeting in the afternoon was well attended, and the spirit of the former meeting seemed to rest upon us. Nearly all that spoke expressed a desire for more consecration and a closer walk with God. Some young men spoke for the first time. In seventy-five minutes, 111 testimonies were borne, and ten verses were sung at intervals.

It is good to serve the Lord. Time is none too long to serve him well; nor eternity, his praise to swell. To fit for his kingdom we’ve no time to waste; for the day of his coming approaches in haste. Oh! let us be earnest in seeking the Lord and obeying the precepts contained in his word. C. W. S.