If you lower the standard in order to secure popularity and an increase of numbers, and then make this increase a cause of rejoicing, you show great blindness. If numbers were evidence of success, Satan might claim the pre-eminence; for in this world his followers are largely in the majority. It is the degree of moral power pervading the college that is a test of its prosperity. It is the virtue, intelligence, and piety of the people composing our churches, not their numbers, that should be a source of joy and thankfulness. {5T 31.3}

Hvis I sænker standarden for at blive populære og få flere elever og så gøre denne vækst til genstand for glæde, så viser I stor blindhed. Hvis antallet var bevis for succes, kunne Satan få forrang; for i denne verden er hans efterfølgere den største majoritet. Det er (32) graden af Collegets moralske styrke der er kriteriet for dets lykke. Det er folks dydighed, forstand og gudsfrygt i vore menigheder, ikke deres antal, der skal være kilde til glæde og taknemmelighed.