Permanent School Plant Called For

The school proved helpful and satisfactory to the students during the first year. Encouraging reports were sent out to parents and friends; and so many others decided to attend the next year that it was found necessary to rent a third building. Thus progress was being made in this new undertaking.AGP 310.2

But all this time we were being counseled through the spirit of prophecy that this place in the city was not suitable for a permanent school. Our school, it was declared, should be located and developed as follows:AGP 310.3

1. Located in the country, away from the large cities.AGP 310.4

2. Provided with sufficient land for farming, gardening, fruit growing, dairying, and the like.AGP 310.5

3. Furnished with varied industries for the employment of students on a basis remunerative both to the school and to the students.AGP 310.6

4. Operate industries with such efficiency as to give the students skill, lead them to estimate rightly the value and dignity of labor, and to make them self-reliant men and women.AGP 310.7

Here is some of the written instruction given us:AGP 310.8

“Where shall our Australasian Bible School be located? I was awakened this morning at one o’clock with a heavy burden upon my soul. The subject of education has been presented before me in different lines, in varied aspects, by many illustrations, and with direct specification, now upon one point, and again upon another.”

“Never can the proper education be given to the youth in this country [Australia], or any other country, unless they are separated a wide distance from the cities [Italics mine].”

“We need schools in this country to educate children and youth that they may be masters of labor, and not slaves of labor.”

“Manual occupation for the youth is essential. The mind is not to be constantly taxed to the neglect of the physical powers [Italics mine]. The ignorance of physiology, and a neglect to observe the laws of health, have brought many to the grave who might have lived to labor and study intelligently.”

“Habits of industry will be found an important aid to the youth in resisting temptation [Italics mine]. Here is opened a field to give vent to their pent-up energies, that, if not expended in useful employment, will be a continual source of trial to themselves and to their teachers. Many kinds of labor adapted to different persons may be devised. But the working of the land will be a special blessing to the worker.” “Fundamentals of Christian Education,” chap., “Work and Education,” pp. 310-327.

As we studied this great outline, we felt it necessary to remind Mrs. White of what it would mean to a small constituency, few of whom owned their homes, to purchase high-priced land, erect necessary buildings, and establish, equip, and operate the industries called for. We told her that the task seemed utterly impossible. While acknowledging all these difficulties, she steadily pointed to the “blueprint” of the school that had been shown her.AGP 311.1