The Story of our Health Message

The Plan Announced Publicly

The first notice to the public that such a move had been effected was found in the The Review and Herald, June 11, 1895. The college was to be located in Chicago and incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois. The instruction was to be given partly in Chicago and partly in Battle Creek. Arrangements were made with the Battle Creek College for a portion of their building, located near the sanitarium, to be used for laboratory room and classrooms. The lecture rooms at the sanitarium were also made available. SHM 281.3

The course of instruction was to extend through four years, with about three or four weeks’ vacation each year. Only such students would be received as were imbued with the true missionary spirit, all of whom would be received on probation. It was announced that “those who are found, on trial, to be incompetent for the work, or who lack consecration or a true missionary spirit, and who do not make a satisfactory change for the better after being duly admonished and instructed, will be dropped out of the class.” The Review and Herald, June 11, 1895. SHM 281.4

The few weeks remaining before the opening of the medical college were filled with bustling activity both in Chicago and in Battle Creek. By the first of October, 1895, everything was in readiness for the opening. Considering the brief notice that was given, and judging by past responses to appeals for prospective medical students, leaders did not expect that the first class in the American Medical Missionary College would be large, but the response exceeded all hopes. Forty-one students had enrolled by the opening date, October 1, and it was announced that these were as many as could possibly be accommodated. Ibid., Oct. 8, 1895. SHM 281.5

Thus was established in Battle Creek, Michigan, such an enterprise as had been the dream of Dr. Dowkontt for New York City. His expectations and hopes had been doomed to disappointment largely because of the opposition of the medical colleges. Dr. Dowkontt was ever a firm friend to the founders of the American Medical Missionary College, and in later years he often visited the school and addressed the students. SHM 282.1

It will be remembered that, while in New York City, Dr. Paulson had been impressed that the Lord wanted a medical college started in Battle Creek, and that on his return from New York he was not surprised to learn that the sanitarium board had just taken action favorable to the undertaking. Many times, both before and after the launching of this enterprise, the Lord worked in unexpected ways to meet urgent needs as they arose. SHM 282.2