Needed Improvements at Huntsville School
By GEO. I. BUTLER
as many more students in the Huntsville school than there have been in the past. She stated that at least one hundred pupils should have been accommodated last year, and that provision ought to be made for two hundred or more in the future. She said: “The facilities necessary for the success of the school must be provided. At present the facilities are very meager. A small building should be put up in which the students can be taught how to care for one another in times of sickness,” etc. Laundry facilities are very unsatisfactory, and little provision has been made for bathing. A building combining laundry and bathing conveniences is an absolute necessity. Repairs must be made in the old mansion, the large dwelling built many years ago. It is said that Andrew Jackson, the famous president of the United States, attended parties at this old Southern home many years ago. But such historic structures will decay. The foundation sadly needs repairs. It is already settling, and must receive attention, or it will be too late for repairs. This main dwelling has been so crowded up to the present time that it has been impossible to make the repairs without endangering the inmates. Two dwelling-houses have been in process of erection the past few months, which would partially relieve the congested state of things in the old mansion if they were finished, but money is greatly needed to pay for a portion of the lumber used in their erection. In view of what Sister White said, that one hundred pupils should have been in attendance last year, great efforts were made by the management to secure such an attendance. But the present facilities were taxed to the utmost to accommodate eighty persons, teachers and pupils. The premises were literally packed full. The reader can see from this how inadequate the premises must be for the future, although it was said two hundred or more should be provided for. Then there is the orphanage for the children left motherless, fatherless, or both, by God-fearing parents, whose last words were deeply expressive of longing desires that their children should be trained up in God’s truth, rather than be turned over to worldly relatives or friends who were indifferent or opposed to the truth we all believe so important. How can we as a people be indifferent to such a matter as that, and call ourselves Seventh-day Adventists, expecting our Master’s soon return? If he should inquire of us, “What have you done to save these lambs of the flock?” should we have to say, “Nothing”? Dear brethren and sisters, we must not be neglectful of such important matters as these. There will have to be provision made for a greater water-supply, as the Huntsville enterprise increases. Wells will have to be dug, and cisterns made, and these cost money. Last year, during a dry time, they had to drive their stock three miles for water. Perhaps, in view of these facts, and many more that might be mentioned, the reader will not wonder that we expressed great gratitude that the General Conference Committee, with all the heavy burdens pressing upon it, had taken under consideration the needs of the The Needs of the Huntsville (Ala.) Training-School
SINCE the close of the recent General Conference at Washington, the General Conference Committee, after carefully considering the various needs of the whole field, has published a list of recommendations, some of them for the South, among which is the following, relating to the Huntsville training-school:—
“That we encourage the friends of the Huntsville school to raise a fund of five thousand dollars for the enlargement of the buildings and the improvement of the facilities of the school.” From our hearts we thank the committee for this recommendation. We say, from personal knowledge, that this money is greatly needed there. Improvements are certainly demanded, and must be made, or the usefulness of the school will be greatly impaired. Last fall money and pledges for the Huntsville school were taken to the amount of about two thousand five hundred dollars. Those in charge of the school expected a large proportion of this amount would be paid within six or eight months; so buildings and other improvements were begun, but for the lack of funds the work had to stop. This has caused considerable embarrassment. But even had the amount all been received, there would still have been other changes and improvements greatly needed to equip the school as it should be equipped to do the work it ought to do. The writer has a statement recently sent from the sub-committee at the school, entrusted with the management, from which a few extracts will be presented. In it are some of Sister White’s statements made while at Huntsville last summer, which may be of interest to the readers of the REVIEW. She said: “If true zeal and energy are manifested, this school may become a large educational institution for the colored people in the South. There should be15 this important institution, and recommended the raising of five thousand dollars for its upbuilding. Let every Seventh-day Adventist remember that this Huntsville Training-school is the only institution in existence in this denomination for the training of ministers, teachers, Bible workers, canvassers, etc., for this race. How can we neglect such an important branch of our work? We ought to have several such schools to-day. But why talk of others when we have only fairly begun to equip one? May God move upon the heart of every faithful believer in present truth to help in this time of need. Funds for the training-school at Huntsville should be sent to the treasurer of the Southern Union Conference, 1025 Jefferson St., Nashville, Tenn. GEO. I. BUTLER,
President S. U. Conference.