EGW
When human agencies, as stewards of God, will unitedly take of the Lord's own substance, and use it to lift the burdens resting on his institutions, the Lord will co-operate with them. RH December 3, 1903, par. 1
The Missionary Acre plan of raising means for the payment of the Battle Creek College debt, is a wise and good one. Let us be thankful for this plan, and make it a success. Let all who can, heartily enter into it, thus lifting their part of the burden. Let the labor rest upon many, instead of upon a few. By cultivating land and devoting the profits to the Missionary Acre Fund, we may not only help a worthy cause, but receive a blessing ourselves because of our prayerful, hopeful effort. RH December 3, 1903, par. 2
Brethren Magan and Sutherland and their associates have wrestled with many difficulties in connection with the educational work at Battle Creek and Berrien Springs. But few have understood how heavy have been the financial burdens, and how great have been the perplexities connected with the removal of the school from Battle Creek to Berrien Springs. Much was involved in the transfer, and in the constant effort to build up an educational institution in accordance with the exalted principles underlying Christian education. RH December 3, 1903, par. 3
In harmony with the instruction given by the Lord, our brethren devoted themselves energetically to the task of rebuilding the work in a new place, and of introducing only those books and methods that would help the students to form symmetrical characters, and to become useful workers in the cause. They desired that their school should be approved of by God for the excellence of its work, and for the exalted standard that it maintained. Many of their efforts are largely experimental. They sought to make their work an answer to the question, How shall our training schools for Christian workers be established in the country, and in all features of essential education made acceptable and worthy of approval? RH December 3, 1903, par. 4
In this pioneer effort our brethren advanced, not inch by inch, but in sweeping strides, in the right direction. Some advised delay in the work; some criticised and condemned; many gave a hearty support, and God blessed the efforts of the united band of workers. RH December 3, 1903, par. 5
One of the most perplexing and discouraging matters connected with the effort to establish the work at Berrien Springs, was the question of finances. A heavy debt rested on the old Battle Creek College property. Those in charge of the institution at the time the school work was removed to Berrien Springs, were not responsible for incurring this debt. The buildings and grounds were worth considerable more than the debts, and if the property could have been sold for its full value, there would have remained, after the payment of all debts, a good sum to be used in providing the necessary facilities at Berrien Springs. RH December 3, 1903, par. 6
Those who had conducted the affairs of the College in past years, and who were to some extent responsible for the debts on the institution, should at this time have come forward, and said, We are largely responsible for these debts; and we will take upon ourselves a part of the burden of raising means with which to pay them. We will use our influence to encourage others to take hold of this matter. We will not leave this burden resting altogether upon those who are struggling amid difficulties to establish the school in a place where the surroundings will be more favorable for training our young people. RH December 3, 1903, par. 7
By an effort to share the burden of these heavy obligations, those who were largely responsible in creating them will be acting in harmony with the first four as well as the last six commandments. RH December 3, 1903, par. 8
When the book, “Christ's Object Lessons,” was given for the relief of the schools, those who were connected with Battle Creek College worked very earnestly to carry out the plan for reducing the indebtedness on our educational institutions. They hoped that they might be able so to lessen the debt on their own school that they could feel free to leave Battle Creek, and to reopen the College in some place where they could more fully follow out the Lord's instruction in regard to Christian education. RH December 3, 1903, par. 9
About the time of the General Conference in 1901, the way opened for the sale of the Battle Creek College property; and the understanding was that the buildings and grounds would be used for the American Medical Missionary College, and that our people everywhere should be asked to contribute for the clearing of the debt. In the councils of our brethren, it was arranged that this be raised from the proceeds of the Missionary Acre Fund. It was thought that our people throughout America who had land, could set apart a small portion of it for the Lord, and send the proceeds to the general treasury, to be applied in the payment of the College debts, and the clearing of the property for the use of the American Medical Missionary College. It was suggested that those who had no land to use, might give of their earnings, and that in various other ways persons disposed to help could contribute of their substance. Our brethren felt sure that if our people everywhere would give liberally of the fruit of their toil, a large sum could soon be raised, and the debt quickly canceled. RH December 3, 1903, par. 10
Recently some have questioned the propriety of sending in means for the Missionary Acre Fund, and consequently scarcely anything is now being received for the payment of the College debt. This is not as it should be. Let all our brethren and sisters understand that the purchase of the Battle Creek College property, for the use of the Medical Missionary College, was approved of by the conference, and that the Missionary Acre Fund plan of raising means for this purchase, is a good enterprise. RH December 3, 1903, par. 11
The Lord will bless those who will now do their utmost to wipe out this long-standing debt, which has been such a burden. We call upon the members of our churches to do something, and do it now. Do not allow the burden of this debt to rest upon those in charge of the Berrien Springs school; for it does not belong to them. It was not incurred by them. RH December 3, 1903, par. 12
These brethren need our sympathy and assistance, that the school may be placed where it should be. They should not be left where each one must do the work of three, and where even then they are unable to see the work advancing as they desire it to advance. RH December 3, 1903, par. 13
My brethren and sisters, will you not enter heartily into the carrying out of the plan that has been laid to raise means for the payment of the College debt? The Lord will greatly bless you as you do this. When this debt is paid, those in charge of the Berrien Springs school will be free to carry forward their work as the Lord designs it to be carried forward. Buildings are needed there that ought to have been erected a year ago. These buildings should go up at once, in order that the students may be made comfortable for the winter. Those at this school have been and are working at great disadvantage, because of a lack of facilities. RH December 3, 1903, par. 14
I have been instructed that it is not just for those in charge of the Berrien Springs school to be left to stagger under the load that they have been carrying. They have devoted themselves unsparingly to the double task of raising funds for the new school, and also of clearing the old College property from debt. How pleasing to God it would be for all our people—led and encouraged by the General Conference Committee—to share in lifting this obligation of the old Battle Creek College. RH December 3, 1903, par. 15
The creditors of Battle Creek College must all be paid. The officers of the General Conference should lend a hand in this work. It was by the sanction of the General Conference that many of these debts were incurred, in the erection of large additions to the College,—additions that we could have done without. RH December 3, 1903, par. 16
My brethren and sisters, let us all take part in sharing the burden of this College debt. The Review and Herald needs the portion that is due to it. I entreat you not to find fault. Many sacrifices have been made by those who have striven to lessen this debt. I ask you to show a decided and practical interest in this matter. If all enter heartily into the plan of raising money to cancel this debt by means of the Missionary Acre Fund, it will soon be swept away, and relief will be brought to many who are carrying heavy burdens. RH December 3, 1903, par. 17
Workers for Christ are never to think, much less to speak, of failure in their work. The Lord Jesus is our efficiency in all things; his Spirit is to be our inspiration; and as we place ourselves in his hands, to be channels of blessing, our means of doing good will never be exhausted. RH December 3, 1903, par. 18
Who will unite with us in pressing this matter through manfully? Men, women, and children can act a part. Let all labor disinterestedly to earn means with which to help lessen the Battle Creek College debt. Every faithful effort will be an object lesson, and many others will be led to engage in a similar work. Let our brethren and sisters unitedly take up the Missionary Acre plan anew, and work earnestly to make it a great blessing. RH December 3, 1903, par. 19