Our Institutions at Battle Creek
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When the college was first started, there was a fund placed in the
Review and Herald office for the benefit of those who wished to obtain
an education, but had not the means. This was used by several students,
who thus had a good start and could earn enough to replace the amount
they had drawn, that others might be benefited by it.
Some provision should now be made for the maintenance of such
a fund to loan to poor but worthy students who desire to prepare
themselves for missionary work. There are among us persons of
ability who might be of good service in the cause were they but looked
after and encouraged. When any of these are too poor to obtain the
advantages of the college, the churches should feel it a privilege to
defray their expenses. The youth should have it plainly set before them
that so far as possible they must work to meet their own expenses.
That which costs little will be lightly appreciated; that which costs
something near its true value will be estimated accordingly. But the
churches in different fields should feel that a solemn responsibility
rests upon them in regard to training youth and educating older persons
to engage in missionary effort. When they see among them any who
give promise of making useful workers, but who are not able to educate
themselves, they should take the responsibility of sending them to the
college to be instructed and developed.
Qualifications of Managers
There should be a thorough reformation on the part of the men
who are now connected with our important institutions. They possess
some valuable traits of character, while they are sadly lacking in others.
Their character needs to have a different mold, one after the likeness
of Christ. They must all remember that they have not yet attained unto
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perfection, that the work of character building is not yet finished. If
they will walk in every ray of light that God has given; if they will
compare themselves with Christ’s life and character, they will discern
where they have failed to meet the requirements of God’s holy law
and will seek to make themselves perfect in their sphere, even as
God in heaven is perfect in His sphere. If these men had realized the
importance of these things, they would today be far in advance of their
present condition, far better qualified to fill places of trust. During
these hours of probation they are to seek for perfection of character.