Our College
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their seasons of prayer, which bring them in connection with Jesus
Christ, the best teacher the world has ever known. In no case should
they deprive themselves of religious privileges. Many students have
made their studies the first great object, and have neglected prayer, and
absented themselves from the Sabbath-school and the prayer-meeting;
and from neglect of religious duties they have returned to their homes
backslidden from God. A most important part of their education has
been neglected. That which lies at the foundation of all true knowledge
should not have been made a secondary consideration. “The fear of the
Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” [
Psalm 111:10
.] “Seek ye first the
kingdom of God and his righteousness.” [
Matthew 6:33
.] This must
not be made last, but first.
The student must have opportunities to become conversant with his
Bible. He needs time for this. A student who makes God his strength,
who is becoming intelligent in the knowledge of God as revealed in
his word, is laying the foundation for a thorough education.
God designs that the College at Battle Creek shall reach a higher
standard of intellectual and moral culture than any other institution of
the kind in our land. The youth should be taught the importance of
cultivating their physical, mental, and moral powers, that they may not
only reach the highest attainments in science, but through a knowl-
edge of God, may be educated to glorify him; that they may develop
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symmetrical characters, and thus be fully prepared for usefulness in
this world, and obtain a moral fitness for the immortal life.
I wish I could find language to express the importance of our
College. All should feel that it is one of God’s instrumentalities to
make himself known to man. The teachers may do a greater work
than they have hitherto calculated upon. Minds are to be moulded, and
character is to be developed by interested experiment. In the fear of
God, every endeavor to develop the higher faculties, even if it is marked
with great imperfection, should be encouraged and strengthened. The
minds of many of the youth are rich in talents which are put to no
available use, because they have lacked opportunity to develop them.
Their physical powers have been strengthened by exercise; but the
faculties of the mind lie hidden, because the discernment and God-
given tact of the educator have not been exercised in bringing them
into use. Aids to self-development must be given to the youth; they
must be drawn out, stimulated, encouraged, and urged to action.