p. 15 | Pacific Union College by C. W. Irwin

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 5, 1914

Pacific Union College

By C. W. Irwin

THE Lord has been gracious to the teachers and students of Pacific Union College. On the opening day of the school year it was evident that he had set his hand to bless the work. The increased attendance, amounting to sixty per cent in the academic and collegiate departments, the mature and excellent class of students, their helpful spirit of cooperation and good cheer, and withal the measure of the Holy Spirit they had brought with them were preliminary omens of a successful term. The conduct of the students has been good. It has not been necessary to dismiss a single student, and no serious case of discipline has occupied the attention of the faculty. As the blessing of God follows in the wake of obedience to his law, that school whose student body is willing and eager to cooperate with its teachers in conforming to a few simple but necessary rules for its guidance, is sure to reap the approval of God and be crowned with his blessing.

We, of course, looked forward to the week of prayer as a time when the work of grace would be strengthened in all our hearts, and we were not disappointed. The readings were given at the morning worship hour, accompanied by a season of prayer in which as many students took part as time would permit. The chapel hour was occupied with definite and connected instruction in Christian living, followed by social service. The evening worship hour was devoted to division meetings, in which teachers and students sought God together in small groups. These meetings were all very helpful in producing a real revival of Christian service.

Three Notable Meetings

At seven o'clock on Wednesday evening of the week of prayer, the entire school met in the chapel and listened to an impressive address by Prof. G. W. Rine. At its close, Elder E. J. Hibbard adopted the good old-fashioned plan of inviting all those who felt special need of spiritual help to come forward. Students began at once to respond to the invitation, and the next hour was a busy but solemn time, in which teachers and students were engaged in personal work for the unconverted and backslidden. An after meeting was called, and those who wished to go were dismissed. Probably three fourths of the audience remained, thereby signifying their desire to be classed with the seekers after God. In the social meeting that followed there were deep repentance and a full and free confession of sins, such as foolish words and actions, unkind thoughts toward teachers and fellow students, remissness in missionary activity, neglect of prayer and Bible study, dishonesty in work and study, and numerous other specific sins or faults. As usually happens when such things are laid upon the great Burden-Bearer, a peace and joy followed which the world could neither give nor take away. The meeting did not close until eleven o'clock. It was an occasion long to be remembered because of the presence of the converting power of God.

Before the students returned to their homes for the Christmas vacation, Elder Hibbard gave some very earnest counsel regarding the proper use of the time. The young people were counseled to resist the temptations which are so numerous and so strong during this season. They were advised to engage in active missionary work as a safeguard against the deceptions of the evil one. The testimonies given by the students after the holidays showed that many of them had been blessed greatly by engaging in active personal work for souls.

YOUNG MEN IN PACIFIC UNION COLLEGE PREPARING FOR THE MINISTRY

One company of a half dozen students had decided to spend the entire week in a series of meetings in a near-by town, for the purpose of reviving the local church and dispensing the bread of life to the unconverted in the vicinity. This company gave a report at the first missionary meeting of the new year. Their faces were aglow with joy and enthusiasm as they related how God had worked through them to the conversion of sinners, the reclaiming of the backslider and skeptic, and the healing of differences between brethren. They reported that the local pastors of other churches had made favorable mention of their work, and had advised the people to attend their meetings. These pastors had also invited the students to assist them in their services and to occupy their pulpits, and urged them to remain longer and help them in their week of prayer. Much personal work was done by visiting the sick, the discouraged, and those bound by the shackles of Catholicism. On the last Sabbath and Sunday of the meeting, Elder E. W. Farnsworth, the president of the conference, united with the company, and a special meeting of five hours' duration was held in which bitter feelings between brethren were laid aside, unchristian letters were burned, and love and concord once more reigned in the church. One strong feature of the services was the Spirit-filled singing.

The simple narration of the above facts and the singing of the songs used in the services produced a profound effect upon the school. There were no more recitations that day. Many students were soon on their feet to renew their consecration, to announce their determination to become soul winners, or to express a wish that they had spent their vacation in like manner. The meeting was an exemplification of the proverb that "he that watereth shall be watered also himself."

The nature of the third meeting was entirely different from the two preceding. The large increase in attendance had made it absolutely necessary to spend large sums of money in finishing new rooms, in purchasing furniture, machinery, scientific equipment and supplies, and in enlarging pumping and laundry equipment, heating facilities, etc. The local members of the board and the faculty had spent a day in earnest counsel concerning the needs of the school. The result of the meeting was a proposition that the members of the board present, the faculty, and the students attempt by personal solicitation to raise ten thousand dollars to be credited to the improvement fund of the college.

It was decided to set the plan before the school on the next day at chapel exercises. Elders E. E. Andross and E. W. Farnsworth led out by clearly explaining the proposition to the students. All were then asked to respond to the suggestion as it seemed best to them, "and this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord;" for prior to the consideration of finances, an opportunity was given to the students to name the work each felt called to do. Twenty-eight young men signified by rising to their feet that they believed God was calling them to the ministry, ten young women expressed their desire to become Bible workers, fifty-three expressed a wish to become teachers, and thirty-three hoped to enter medical missionary work either as physicians or nurses. Still others expect to fit themselves to become clerical workers, secretaries, stenographers, bookkeepers, etc. About fifty students have had experience as canvassers, and a good proportion of these will enter the work for the summer vacation. In response to a general question relative to foreign missions, one hundred and forty-one signified their willingness to enter foreign mission work.

The giving of themselves was an excellent introduction to the raising of funds. It was made plain to the students that they were not asked to pledge a certain amount, but were asked to do their best to solicit what they could for the upbuilding of the college. The members of the board and faculty led out with liberal sums, and the students took hold with enthusiasm. A final reckoning showed that we had agreed to do our best to solicit ten thousand dollars. Definite plans were also laid to prosecute the work intelligently and systematically. We then sang, "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow," and closed the meeting.

In view of what God has done for us, our dim vision is beginning to catch the glimmerings of a glorious light which will soon burst forth to gladden the eyes of those teachers and students who consecrate themselves to God in wholehearted surrender. C. W. Irwin.