Speedy Preparation for the Work
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you of the conviction of the knowledge of events which show that this
great event is near at hand.
The money which has been expended in additional buildings and
in extensions on existing buildings in Battle Creek, should have been
used for creating facilities for carrying on the work in places where
there is nothing done at all. God is not pleased at the manner in which
His goods have been disposed of. There is no respect of places or of
persons, with Him.
The practice of furnishing a few persons with every advantage of
perfecting their education in so many lines that it would be impossible
for them to make use of all of them, is an injury rather than a benefit
to the one who has so many advantages, besides depriving others of
the privileges they need so much. If there were far less of this long
continued preparation, far less exclusive devotion to study only, there
would be much more opportunity for an increase of the student’s faith
in God. He who long devotes all his energies to his studies alone,
becomes fascinated,—is actually absorbed in his books, and loses
sight of the goal for which he started when he came to school. It has
been shown to me that some of the students are losing their spirituality,
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that their faith is becoming weak, and that they do not hold constant
communion with God. They spend nearly all their time in the perusal
of books; they seem to know but little else. But what advantage will
all this preparation be to them? What benefit will they derive for all
the time and money spent? I tell you, it will be worse than lost. There
must be less of this kind of work, and more faith in God’s power.
God’s commandment-loving people are to testify to the world of their
faith by their works.
When students come to Battle Creek from long distances at great
expense, expecting to receive instruction as to how to become success-
ful missionaries, that idea is not to be sunk out of sight in a variety
of studies. Consider Moses; the one great burden of his soul was that
the presence of God might be with him, and that he might behold His
glory. But if the students are given more studies than are absolutely
necessary, it is calculated to cause them to forget the real object of
their coming to Battle Creek. Now is the time when it is essential that
only such work as is necessary should be done. Long years of prepa-
ration are not a positive necessity. The preparation of the students has
been managed on the same principle as have the building operations.