Emmanuel Missionary College by H. B. Lundquist

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 23, 1914

Emmanuel Missionary College

By H. B. Lundquist

Missionary Volunteer Society

THE work of the Young People's Missionary Volunteer Society of Emmanuel Missionary College is onward. We have an average attendance of one hundred and twenty-five, each of whom is anxious to do his part. The general feeling which permeates the college, that we are here for earnest work, is also manifest in our society.

On a recent Sabbath afternoon, a temperance program was rendered which was thought by some to be of sufficient worth to be repeated in the village of Berrien Springs near by. A series of meetings having been held there recently, it was thought that by this means any hard feelings toward our people that may have resulted from the meetings, would be softened. A village election, in which the temperance question was the main issue, was the means by which we secured the necessary permission. On Sunday, March 8, our society had the privilege of repeating its program in a union meeting of the churches, held in the Methodist Episcopal church, before an appreciative congregation.

The subject was taken up under three subheads; namely, "The Relation of the Liquor Traffic to Crime and Insanity," "The Cry From Desolate Homes," and "The Crusade Against the Liquor Traffic." A favorable impression was made, and we trust some prejudice broken down. An opening was secured for future activities, which we are hoping to take advantage of in the near future by giving a religious liberty program in the same place.

We are striving to make our programs practical, and so give time in each one for the experiences of those who have actually been doing something. On Sabbath, March 28, this practical feature consisted in the narration of experiences by a band of young women who had campaigned a city near by with the Temperance Instructor. If any one entertained any doubts as to whether these campaigners enjoyed their work, they were quickly dispelled by the earnest words and beaming faces of the workers. Each one expressed herself as happy to have had the privilege of taking part in this work, and ready to go again when opportunity offered.

Realizing that in order to hit the mark we must have an aim, the members of our society have individually pledged themselves to raise sufficient funds between now and the close of school to support a native evangelist in China for one year. One fourth of the entire amount was paid the first week.

Many of our number are, or are becoming, enthusiastic colporteurs, and are looking forward with much pleasure to a period of activity in the Master's vineyard during the coming summer. We are striving to make our school days as nearly ideal as possible, so that we may look back with pride when we shall have left the familiar corridors of the college. H. B. LUNDQUIST.