Chapter 5—The Historical Setting of the Counsels Relating to the First Seventh-day Adventist Institutions

Statement prepared by D. A. Delafield,Associate Secretary, The Ellen G. White Estate

A hand press was secured by Elder James White in 1852 and Sabbath-keeping Adventists entered upon the printing of the message with their own equipment. The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association (Review and Herald) was incorporated May 3, 1861, in Battle Creek, Michigan—thus a printing establishment was the first institution founded by this movement.POSDAI 55.1

The first sanitarium, the Western Health Reform Institute, opened its doors at Battle Creek, Michigan, September 5, 1866. H. S. Lay, M.D., was in charge. This health institution became the Battle Creek Sanitarium.POSDAI 55.2

The Battle Creek College opened for school work in 1874, and the newly erected college building was dedicated January 4, 1875, with 13 teachers and an enrollment of 289. Total cost of the building was $53,341.95. Later Emmanuel Missionary College at Berrien Springs, Michigan, emerged, and later still, Andrews University.POSDAI 55.3

These original SDA institutions represent a response on the part of church leaders to counsels from the Spirit of Prophecy. These establishments had their origin in the mind of God, and whatever God begins has a future which serves His stated objectives and goals for His church. There is no reason to believe that any Seventh-day Adventist institution which came into existence in later years was created for any other purpose than that which motivated the original Battle Creek institutions. In this document we wish to examine these goals and objectives.POSDAI 55.4

First of all, let us take a look at a few of the historical developments in connection with our first printing establishment, the Review and Herald; our first sanitarium, commonly known as the Battle Creek Sanitarium; and our first college, the Battle Creek College. It is in this historical context that we see the divinely stated objectives and purposes for our institutions taking shape in the events and experiences of those early times.POSDAI 56.1