Chapter 2—Our College
[
Read in College Hall, December, 1881, before Conference delegates
and leading workers in Review and Herald office, sanitarium, and
college.
]
There is danger that our college will be turned away from its
original design. God’s purpose has been made known, that our people
should have an opportunity to study the sciences and at the same time
to learn the requirements of His word. Biblical lectures should be
given; the study of the Scriptures should have the first place in our
system of education.
Students are sent from a great distance to attend the college at
Battle Creek for the very purpose of receiving instruction from the
lectures on Bible subjects. But for one or two years past there has been
an effort to mold our school after other colleges. When this is done, we
can give no encouragement to parents to send their children to Battle
Creek College. The moral and religious influences should not be put
in the background. In times past, God has worked with the efforts of
the teachers, and many souls have seen the truth and embraced it, and
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have gone to their homes to live henceforth for God, as the result of
their connection with the college. As they saw that Bible study was
made a part of their education, they were led to regard it as a matter of
greater interest and importance.
Too little attention has been given to the education of young men
for the ministry. This was the primary object to be secured in the
establishment of the college. In no case should this be ignored or
regarded as a matter of secondary importance. For several years,
however, but few have gone forth from that institution prepared to
teach the truth to others. Some who came at great expense, with
the ministry in view, have been encouraged by the teachers to take
a thorough course of study which would occupy a number of years,
and, in order to obtain means to carry out these plans, have entered the
canvassing field and given up all thought of preaching. This is entirely
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