Healdsburg College by S. Brownsberger

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 3, 1885

FromThe Signs of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 34

Healdsburg College.

By S. Brownsberger

THE OUTLOOK FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.

THE new college year has opened, and we are now in the second month of the fourth year of labor. We start out with a much better attendance than we anticipated in this busy season of the year with the “hard times” upon us.

This new year brings together faculty and students for another year's work. We may expect, judging from past experience, as well as from our short acquaintance with students now present, that, at the close of the year, we shall see a large majority of them greatly improved by their coming to the college. A few, after spending the means their parents have furnished them, and having been frequently sustained in their wrong course by the false sympathy of tender mothers, who perhaps have almost ruined them by a mistaken indulgence in the past, will perhaps go away hardened by their long resistance to the powerful influence exerted here to correct their errors.

But few realize the earnest solicitude we feel for these few unfortunate ones, their present condition being the more unfortunate because their naturally perverse traits of character have not been eradicated, but instead, by a long period of mismanagement, have become the ruling power in their lives. At the beginning of every year, there are in Healdsburg College a few of that class who expect to pursue a course of conduct which is indicated by their own inclinations regardless of consequences.

The Board and Faculty have been planning to make the coming year as profitable as possible for those in attendance. The range of instruction has been widened, and experienced and well qualified persons have been secured to take charge of the new classes that shall be organized. The importance of the Bible instruction, and the relation it sustains to the advancement of the cause on this coast, have not been lost sight of.

Elder A. T. Jones, who has been during the past year rendering valuable service in the editorial department of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, will begin his instruction to classes in the Biblical Department immediately after the camp-meeting, and will continue it until the holidays. His work will be based upon prophecy, and will deal largely with both ancient and modern history.

This course of instruction will be of the highest importance to a clear understanding of the prophecies, and will be indispensable to those who expect to prepare themselves to teach the people. Elder Jones has been for years a devoted student of history, and his researches in the wide field of historical literature, for the purpose of amassing facts and data to establish the fulfillment of prophecy, have been untiring, critical, and exhaustive. Without doubt there is no one in the ranks of Seventh-day Adventists better qualified to do this special work for our Biblical students than Elder A. T. Jones.

As the prophecies of the Bible forecast every period in the history of the world, it is not expected that all the facts in this wide field could be dwelt upon in the short time allotted, but there are many important points which the student has not fortified with historical facts so as to make his position impregnable. Such points will receive special attention in this class work. By their clearness and conclusiveness, the new facts brought out in these researches will delight those who have studied only the historical outline of these periods.

The services of Elder E. P. Daniels have also been secured for the ensuing year. Much of his time will be devoted to vocal training, stenography, and book-keeping.

After the holiday vacation, Elder E. J. Waggoner is expected to come and remain during the spring term. The method of his instruction in the Biblical Department, and the good results to the cause in this Conference from his past labors here, are well known.

During the coming college year, better advantages will be offered the students at Healdsburg College than ever before. We should be grateful for past opportunities and successes with which the Lord has blessed us, but he does not want us to be content with anything short of the highest qualifications attainable to fit us for efficient labor in his precious cause. He therefore provides better advantages year after year, in order that there may be, on the part of his laborers, a continual and steady growth in the knowledge of his truth. Though the “times are hard,” yet many who now think it impossible might come and be greatly benefited by this year's work at the college, if they would exercise more faith in God and be ready to make a little more sacrifice.

We look for God's blessing upon the work this year as never before. It has already been foreshadowed by the special work lately done for the Healdsburg church. The Lord's Spirit has worked wonders for this church, and has revived it as never before. I have never witnessed more thorough work in going to the bottom in confessing sins than was done by nearly every member of this church. I know the Lord loves his people, and will work through them for great good if the rubbish is only cleared away. S. BROWNSBERGER.