Several years ago it was my privilege to visit James Bryce, Ambassador of Great Britain in Washington. He was a fine gentleman, a scholar, a historian of repute, and the author of several standard works, such as "The Holy Roman Empire." He was thoroughly acquainted with the American people and the American Government. His questions regarding Seventh-day Adventists revealed his keen interest in religious matters and his acquaintance with religious things. My short visit with this dignified, courteous English diplomat strengthened my respect for the government which he represented.
According to Paul, our workers are, to be "ambassadors for Christ." What a sacred privilege and responsibility ! What carefulness it should beget in us to be fit representatives of the government of God and His grace to lost humanity! What zeal we should have to improve ourselves, and to advance His work !
We busy ourselves with many things—all necessary perhaps—but the one thing of supreme importance to which all other activities should be accessories, is the giving of our message. On the purity and power of the message depends the success of the advent movement. As ministers of God we must present to the people, not speculations and fanciful interpretations, but the pure unadulterated word of God. We must be "mighty in the Scriptures" ("Prophets and Kings," p. 624). We need to be diligent in study, that we may bring forth to the people "things new and old." And thus our "progress" will "be manifest unto all." i Tim. 4:15, A.R.V.
"Above all other people upon the earth, the man whose mind is enlightened by the opening of the word of God to his understanding, will feel that he must give himself to greater diligence in the perusal of the word of God, and to a diligent study of the sciences, for his hope and calling are greater than any other."—"Fundamentals of Christian Education," PP. 243, 244. "If the search is properly conducted, jewels of inestimable value will be found."—Review and Herald, July 12, 1898.
Our General Conference, at great expense, has established a school where our ministers can pursue advanced studies in Bible, religious history, Biblical languages, and homiletics. Regarding the value of the work offered, one who attended the seminary this summer said:
"As one who has done work in other graduate schools, I am constrained to say that for Seventh-day Adventist workers, the work offered at this school has values far transcending anything available anywhere else. The standard of scholarship maintained by the faculty is of the highest, and the Adventist spirit pervades each classroom and recitation period. The instructors endeavor to build spiritual values into each class session, and this is something that no other school of graduate standing can do for Seventh-day Adventist workers."
The time of the winter quarter this year is December 6 to February 27.* The courses offered are The Sanctuary, Epistle to the Hebrews, The Doctrinal Teachings of Jesus, Righteousness by Faith, Prophets of the Assyro-Babylonian Period, Near Eastern Antiquity, The Egyptian Bondage and the Exodus, History of Early Israel, Early American Church History, History of Prophetic Interpretation, Beginning Hebrew, Neiv Testament Greek Translation, Methods of Evangelism, History of Preaching, and Research Technique.
* The seminary is a school for Seventh-day Adventist workers, ministers, teachers, editors, and others who have finished college or whose age, experience, and study have fitted them for advanced work. No one should come without first making application. For information and application blanks, address Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Takoma Park, D.C.
