North Carolina by A. W. Spaulding

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 7, 1910

North Carolina

By A. W. Spaulding

NAPLES.— This district, upon and behind the mountains that extend toward Hickorynut Gap, is widely known as “the dark corner of Henderson County.” Brother Laursen and I have been going up there, four miles by trail, Sunday after Sunday, to a poor little Sunday-school that the people have been trying to hold. Last Sunday I stayed all day, and by request led their afternoon prayer-meeting. They are all users of tobacco and snuff, many of them live in tiny, dirty log cabins, but they are earnest. In their prayers and testimonies some of them spoke with fervor of God’s answering their prayers to send some one up to help them. Since the first visit or two, they have welcomed us gladly. There are bright faces, bright minds, among them, some precious jewels to be gathered for the Master.

Their school, like most of the country schools here, is held only four months in the year, and sometimes not that long; for there is no compulsory school law, and unless the teacher is a vigorous young man, the school is not likely to continue the full term. But the right kind of school will be welcomed, and we hope to see one established among them soon.

A different class we meet at another Sunday-school nearer us, in the valley, where Prof. S. Brownsberger, Brother Hall, and others have been attending. There we meet our neighbors, mostly a substantial farmer class, and some of the more aristocratic villagers. Everywhere we have been welcomed, and seed is being sown that we trust will bear fruit in due time.

We should be able to respond to the eagerness of many to read. The children and young people need to be given a wider horizon. If we could establish a small circulating library, it would be very helpful. Biographies of missionaries, interesting books of science and travel, nature-story books, and some of our own works, could well be used. By judicious management, such a library may be the means of widely disseminating the truth among those who now have almost no access to reading-matter. Others have started reading-rooms and libraries in parts of this mountain country, in which works of fiction predominate. We should not be behind in our efforts. If there are any who would like to give books to help establish such a work, they may correspond with the writer, at Naples, N. C. Any books sent should be in good condition and have transportation prepaid.

A. W. SPAULDING.