THE BIBLICAL INSTITUTE

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 22, 1877

THE BIBLICAL INSTITUTE.

CLOSING EXERCISES.

The Biblical Institute at South Lancaster, Mass., closed Sunday evening, Nov. 11. There was an increase of numbers till nearly the close, some students coming in even during the last week, swelling the list of names to sixty-two; and there was an increase of interest to the last.

Twenty-one days were employed in the work of the Institute, during which time forty class lectures were given on Bible subjects, eight sessions were held devoted to instruction in Parliamentary practice, pronunciation, grammatical principles, &c., seven sermons were delivered, and five social meetings were held, besides a half hour devoted to prayer and conference preceding each lecture, making about one hundred distinct meetings. Many, besides the members of the class, regularly attended, so that the house was crowded at each meeting. So far as the occasion itself is concerned, we have reason to think it was regarded as quite satisfactory by those who attended. Its real utility, however, is yet to be demonstrated by the fruits, if any, that shall follow.

The following resolutions, expressive of the feelings of the class were offered at the last meeting:—

“Whereas, We feel that blessings and privileges so great and precious as those we have enjoyed at this Biblical Institute, demand expressions of gratitude to those through whose instrumentality and immediate efforts we have been so highly favored; therefore

“Resolved, 1. That we hereby express our appreciation of the earnest efforts, self-sacrificing labors and unremitting toil of Bro. S. N. Haskell and family, in their endeavors to render this Institute a success, and in caring for the wants, both temporal and spiritual, of those of our company who have been their guests, and we hereby tender them our sincere and heartfelt thanks for their labors of love.

“2. That our thanks are due, and we hereby express them, to the So. Lancaster church for their kind hospitality and generous efforts in providing for our comfort, and also for the encouragement they have given the Institute by their constant and faithful attendance.

“3. That we hereby manifest our thankfulness to Bro. U. Smith for his patient, earnest efforts in expounding and illustrating the principles of present truth, and that we sympathize with him and bid him Godspeed in his faithful labors to advance the work of the third angel’s message.

“4. That, in view of the increased light that shines from the sacred word, the inestimable privileges we have enjoyed, and the encouraging evidences that are opening before us daily, we try to feel the burden of this work as never before; and we hereby solemnly pledge ourselves to make the work of the third angel’s message the work of our lives, and do all that we can by word and deed to hold up the light to our fellow-men.”

These resolutions were passed unanimously. But the expressions of appreciation were not confined to resolutions. Some were of a more tangible nature. Through Bro. Haskell, as speaker, who made some very appropriate and impressive remarks upon the occasion, the class, to our complete surprise, tendered him the gift of a beautiful pocket Bible, the Teachers’ Edition, by the American Tract Society. At the meeting when this was presented, it was accompanied with the following beautiful lines, which, at the unanimous request of the class, are herewith presented. It was also voted that we publish our response, read at the closing meeting. We therefore give them both as follows:—

LINES ACCOMPANYING THE PRESENTATION.

We have prized the words thou’st spoken More than we can ever tell; Hence this small but sacred token, As we come to say, “Farewell.”

May the truths which here are gleaming With a luster naught can dim, Draw our hearts beyond earth’s seeming To the real—up to Him.

Who has said, The many mansions I must leave thee, to prepare. When he comes to claim his chosen, May we meet each other there.

Signed—Students So. Lancaster Biblical Institute.

RESPONSE.

Grateful, I accept this treasure, This best token of your love. Here I link your names, with pleasure, To the hope of joys above.

Precious book! May they who give it, And may he to whom ’tis given, Love its sacred truth and live it, Till we reach the gates of Heaven.

Then in places of glory Shall our songs of triumph swell, All our theme Redemption’s Story, Mingled with no sad “Farewell.”