Ellen White: Woman of Vision

Chapter 14—Healdsburg College Opens And Battle Creek College Closes

Soon after returning to Oakland, Ellen attended the camp meeting held at Sacramento where the delegates took action to establish an educational institution at Healdsburg, less than 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of the Bay cities of San Francisco and Oakland. WV 215.1

A school committee of seven was appointed four days later. W. C. White, as chairman, was authorized, among other responsibilities, to “select a building at some eligible point in the State [in northern California].” Less than a month later a well-built school building was found at Healdsburg. It had cost $10,000 but could be secured, with furniture, for $3,750. WV 215.2

Just at this point W. C. White had to leave for Battle Creek and the General Conference session. But he was back in time to attend a meeting of the school board in Healdsburg January 28 and 29, 1882. Five of the seven members, W. C. White, John Morrison, J. H. Waggoner, T. M. Chapman, and William Saunders, were present. Ellen was invited to meet with them. The minutes record: WV 215.3

At the first meeting, Mrs. E. G. White made appropriate remarks upon what should be the aims and ends of a denominational school, such as is purposed to be established in this State by Seventh-day Adventists, the gist of which was that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” and that it was necessary to have a school of our own in order to take the children away from the evil influences found in nearly all the common schools and colleges of the day (Ibid., February 16, 1882). WV 215.4

To attain some of the objectives set forth by Ellen White called for some departures from the program at the Battle Creek school: (1) There must be regular classes in Bible study, not just chapel lectures; (2) there must be a school home, or dormitory; (3) there must be a program that would provide physical activity with study—in other words, an industrial program. These were basic in the planning for Healdsburg Academy. It would take time to implement some of the elements, particularly the providing of a school home. WV 215.5

Some of the problems that the college at Battle Creek was having should be avoided: WV 216.1

a. The college did not have dormitories. WV 216.2

b. Students boarded with families in the community or on their own. WV 216.3

c. This exacerbated problems of discipline. Hosts naturally were inclined to sympathize with and accredit the reports of the students. WV 216.4

d. Disagreements among the faculty, board, and community were common regarding the school policies and goals. WV 216.5

Appropriate actions were taken toward an early opening of the school. Professor Sidney Brownsberger, now recovered from illness, was invited to take charge, and his wife was asked to become one of the teachers. Without delay earnest Adventist families started moving to Healdsburg to take advantage of the academy. It was announced to open Tuesday, April 11 (Ibid., April 6, 1882). That first day 26 students were on hand to register—more than had been expected (Ibid., April 20, 1882). The whole school enterprise was carried forward on a wave of enthusiasm and goodwill among its constituents and also the community of Healdsburg. WV 216.6

On Monday, April 24, the annual meeting of the Pacific SDA Publishing Association was held in Oakland, bringing together a good representation from the churches. Time was found at that meeting to discuss the school project. At WV 216.7

2:30 in the afternoon, less than two weeks after the opening of the school, a large group assembled in the Oakland church to hear reports and review plans for the new enterprise. Professor Brownsberger reported on the phenomenal progress being made. WV 216.8

The first 20-week term closed in mid-June with an enrollment of 38 (Ibid., July 13, 1882). By this time an Adventist woman of some means had made a gift of $5,000, and work could begin on the school home, or “boardinghouse,” as it was known. In the basement would be the kitchen, laundry, and bakery; on the first floor, classrooms and a working parlor. The second story would accommodate the young women, and the third would be a dormitory for the young men (Ibid., July 20, 1882; Ibid., October 26, 1882). WV 216.9