Percy T. Magan Collection

Content Description

Percy Tilson Magan (1867-1947) was born in Ireland and was sent by his father to the United States in 1886 to learn ranching. While on a Nebraska farm, Magan made contact with a young family and later accepted their invitation to attend some tent meetings. For two weeks he attended every meeting and became a Seventh-day Adventist at the age of 18. He became a preacher and evangelist. After working as a licensed minister for a while he attended Battle Creek in 1888, from which he later graduated. In 1889 he accompanied Stephen N. Haskell as his secretary on an around the world trip to seek locations for mission stations. He became associate secretary of the Foreign Mission Board (1890-1891), head of the Department of Bible and History at Battle Creek College (1891-1901), and served with Edward A. Sutherland in the administration of the College its last years in Battle Creek. Magan was a leader in the reforms brought about at the College and in the move to relocate it out of the city. He served as the first dean of Emmanuel Missionary College (1901-1904). Along with Sutherland he was a co-founder of the Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute (1904), which later became known as Madison College, where he also served as dean. Magan took the medical course at the University of Tennessee and in 1915 was elected dean of the College of Medical Evangelists, now Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He served that institution as its president from 1928 to 1942. He was active in raising funds for the medical college and was largely responsible for its accreditation. The collection consists of photocopies of mostly handwritten correspondence to, by, and about Magan from 1902-1903 when he served at the fledgling Emmanuel Missionary College in Berrien Springs, Michigan, now Andrews University. Several sections of photocopies are not legible. The collection is arranged chronologically as it was originally found. The majority of the letters were written to Ellen G. White and W. C. White. Other correspondents include Arthur G. Daniells, C. H Jones, and D. W. Revies.

Provenance

This collection was held unprocessed by the Ellen G. White Estate Branch Office at Andrews University until 2003 when it was incorporated into the manuscript collections of the Center for Adventist Research at the James White Library, Andrews University. It is unknown how it came together and by whom it was organized.

Restrictions Apply

Yes

Use Restrictions

All users of this collection will be required to complete the “Application to Use Unpublished Records,” and to observe the regulations specified in the "Patron Agreement" and "Researcher’s Code of Conduct." All records in this collection are open and available for research. Citation for this collection: Box ___, Fld ___, [Percy T. Magan] (Collection 229), Center for Adventist Research, James White Library, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI.