Dedication of the Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute
By Percy T. Magan
FOUR years ago last June the property upon which the buildings of the Nashville (Tenn.) Agricultural and Normal Institute now stand, was purchased. The erection of the buildings never proceeded very rapidly, as money came in quite slowly, and the work of construction was carried on by the teachers and students, with very little help from skilled mechanics. Consequently it was not until this autumn that we felt that things were far enough along to hold the dedicatory services. On Sunday afternoon, October 18, during the Convention of Self-Supporting Missionaries, the services of dedication were held. About four hundred persons met in the chapel of Gotzian Hall. This, our main school building, is the gift of Sister Josephine Gotzian, of California. The weather was perfect, — a warm and sunny southern autumnal day, which made the old oak grove, in which the buildings are largely situated, look its best. It was a great pleasure to have with us on this occasion a number of our General Conference brethren, whose words of encouragement relative to the work here were greatly appreciated. Our company of teachers and students were glad to see the faces of Elders A. G. Daniels, S. N. Haskell, Geo. A. Irwin, Geo. B. Thompson, R. A. Underwood, W. A. Westworth, John Christian, and C. F. McVagh, and Prof. Frederick Griggs, and others. A large number of friends and neighbors from the city of Nashville and from the surrounding country were present, and manifested a deep interest in the work which has been accomplished. The services opened with singing by the school, under the direction of Mrs. S. V. Sutherland. After this there was a Scripture reading by Professor Griggs, followed by the invocation, which was offered by Elder Daniels. Prof. E. A. Sutherland, president of the faculty, then gave a brief sketch of the founding of the school:— In November, 1904, when the little company of teachers and students first took possession of the farm, the prospects for a school were not very flattering. When school was opened, we were quite crowded. The room which served for chapel also served for class room, and at still another time of the day for dining-room. But from this humble beginning there have gone forth about one hundred self-supporting missionaries who are now doing what they can to spread the truth of the gospel. Seven men and women from the school have gone to the island of Cuba, and two schools have been opened among the Cuban people. Four years ago there were no small family schools scattered over the South; to-day there are a number of them, and the number is increasing all the time. When we came here, the spot where this building — Gotzian Hall — now stands was covered with an old and most unsightly stable. The lawn surrounding the buildings since erected was a pasture, and across the avenue, where the Phelps building now stands, was a large swine yard. A number of cottages have been erected. These have been donated, for the most part, by conferences, churches, and friends. We have the Nebraska cottage, donated by the brethren and sisters in that conference; the Boulder cottage, donated by the Boulder (Colo.) church; the Oregon cottage; the Upper Columbia cottage; the Paton cottage; and others. We also have a small sanitarium. It is not fully equipped yet, but already we have had a number of patients. Dr. Newton Evans, formerly of Murray, Ky., has been chosen medical superintendent. Dr. Evans has also been elected professor of pathology in the medical department of the University of Tennessee; this will undoubtedly give some prestige to our work. It is our aim to train young men and women to lead lives fraught with the highest and most noble purposes, and thus consecrate and devote their power to carrying the gospel of the kingdom to all the world. After a solo by Professor Griggs, “The City That Lieth Foursquare,” Elder Underwood, president of the Northern Union Conference, delivered the dedicatory address. The theme of this address was the building of the temple of Solomon, as an example of the great work of God in the earth in gathering out a people for his name, who ultimately will become a spiritual temple in the kingdom of heaven. The address was greatly enjoyed by the teachers, students, and friends present. After this address the writer made a few remarks in regard to the mission of the school, and the kind reception which has been accorded to its founders by the friends in the neighborhood and the citizens of Nashville. Professor Davis, of Madison and Nashville, one of the best-known educators in Tennessee, responded in behalf of the citizens, with very appropriate remarks, delivered in a most cordial and earnest manner. He referred to the simple and practical way in which the founders of the school had gone about their work, and to the deep impression which the simplicity and lack of display in building and in the equipment had made upon the people of the neighborhood. He referred to the great advantage of having schools located in the country, and to the fact that this country needs men whose constant cry shall be, “Away from the cities,”—men who will call the people back to the simplicity of the lives of their fathers. Squire J. M. Johnson, one of Madison’s leading citizens, who has been a warm friend of the school and a hearty supporter of the principles for which it stands, followed with a speech of welcome. Elder S. N. Haskell then offered the16dedicatory prayer; and after another hymn the visitors scattered to inspect the grounds and buildings; and thus a very pleasant and happy occasion in the history of the Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute came to a close. We are thankful that the blessing of God in a most marked manner has attended the humble efforts which have been made to establish the work of this school, and it is our constant prayer that he will preserve this institute in the simple lines of training necessary for his service, for which he has brought it into being.