Ellen G. White: The Lonely Years: 1876-1891 (vol. 3)

The Healdsburg School

The starting of the school in the West was marked with earnestness. As noted earlier, on October 20, 1881, at the camp meeting held at Sacramento, which was attended by Ellen White, the delegates took action to establish an educational institution in California. 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].” Before a month had passed, a well-built school building was found at Healdsburg. It cost $10,000, but could be secured, with furniture, for $3,750. 3BIO 191.4

Just at this point the chairman 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 held 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 White was invited to meet with them. The minutes record: 3BIO 192.1

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.—The Signs of the Times, February 16, 1882. 3BIO 192.2

Appropriate actions were taken toward an early opening of the school. Professor Sidney Brownsberger, now recovered from his 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 twenty-six 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 good will among its constituents and also among the community of Healdsburg. 3BIO 192.3

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 for the discussion of the school project. At two-thirty 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. Sidney Brownsberger reported on the rather phenomenal progress being made, W. C. White on the good fortune in being able to assemble such a capable faculty, and Ellen White on the time and need for the school. Her remarks were addressed to a resolution calling for a pledge to labor for the success of the school, and the encouragement of a good attendance: 3BIO 192.4

It is the purpose of managers and teachers, not so much to copy the plans and methods of other institutions of learning, as to make this school such as God can approve. We trust that a high moral and religious standard will be maintained, and that Healdsburg Academy will be free from those pernicious influences which are so prevalent in popular schools.—Ibid., May 4, 1882 3BIO 193.1

Near the close of her address she employed words familiar to us today, apparently something she had found in Good Health, March, 1879, titled “Oh, for a Man!” and credited to the Louisville Commercial. (See also “Men Wanted,” The Review and Herald, January 24, 1871.) 3BIO 193.2

The greatest want of this age is the want of men—men who will not be bought or sold, men who are true and honest in their inmost souls; men who will not fear to call sin by its right name, and to condemn it, in themselves or in others; men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole; men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.—The Signs of the Times, May 4, 1882. 3BIO 193.3

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 the Healdsburg Academy. It would take time to implement some of the elements, particularly the providing of a school home. 3BIO 193.4

The first twenty-week term closed in mid-June with an enrollment of thirty-eight (Ibid., June 8, 1882). By that time a five-acre tract two blocks from the school building had been secured and plans for a school home were under way. 3BIO 193.5

When the second term opened July 26, the fledgling institution had undergone a change in name. Acting on a popular request of the community, the board had named the school “Healdsburg College” (Ibid., July 13, 1882). By this time also, 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 ladies, and the third would be a dormitory for the young men (Ibid., October 26, 1882). 3BIO 193.6