The Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute
By M. Bessie DeGraw
A few weeks ago I was in one of the most interesting homes it has ever been my lot to visit. In one of Tennessee's cities I was introduced to the father of this family, and he invited me to drive with him and his wife that evening to their home in the country. At the appointed hour I found the carriage waiting, and we drove out into the hills. Farther and farther we went along the winding road at set of sun, through oak groves, ever climbing higher and higher. Just as it was growing dark, I found myself in a four-room cottage in a valley, hidden from view by the surrounding trees. It was not the place that impressed me, for that was very simple, and many a mother and daughter who read this would shrink from adding visitors to a family of nine in such small quarters. But none of that spirit was here. Of children there are six,—the oldest a girl of thirteen, the youngest a babe of a few months. The father is in ill health, and maintains his business only through the relief and relaxation afforded in this quiet retreat. Worship that night made me think of heaven. The eleven of us gathered in the sitting-room. The mother sat at the piano. Various hymns were called for by the children, and such melody one seldom hears. The hymns were familiar, and books were unnecessary. Everybody sang because everybody was happy, from the mother, who had spent the day in the city with baby and three other children, to the three-year-old Esther, who was fondly styled “queen.” Angels undoubtedly joined in those songs. I could scarcely keep back the tears as I watched and listened. And after the Scripture was read,—it was the Sabbath-school lesson that was studied,—we knelt in prayer, and even that little three-year-old queen, who was kneeling by my side, offered prayer. The quiet, simple faith of that family living in that secluded spot; that father and mother united in bringing up their family to be servants of our God,—what more beautiful sight in earth or heaven? I found one secret of that family's happiness. Only a few steps from the cottage was a little log schoolhouse, and there, day by day, that mother teaches her children and the children from other homes in the neighborhood. In that little home school I found the Bible, Bible readers, Dr. Kellogg's physiology, and other familiar text-books. The mother is anxious for help; she would like to have some young woman, some consecrated teacher, work with her, so that home duties and gardening may be made a part of the daily training. How many such homes there should be in this South land! How many devoted teachers we need to step into such homes to supplement the mother's work; and then think of the still greater number of homes where no effort is made to teach the children. How many neglected children in these States to whom we should lend a hand! I thought of these things, and came home filled with a new courage concerning our own school, which is now only in its infancy. My brief visit opened my eyes anew to the needs about me, and gave me a fresh glimpse of God's reason for leading us to Nashville to establish a school. I felt more eager than ever to see young men and women fitted to stand alone where great strength of character is needed. I want to see them true to the third angel's message, loyal to the truth that God taught Israel and is teaching us to-day, that every man should have a plot of ground, and from that should be able to support himself. I long to see them so loyal to the principles of healthful diet that they can carry that part of the message to people in the cities who are slaves to appetite, and people in the mountain districts who have seen but faintly if at all, the light of this truth. Health of body, health of mind and soul, is the thing for which they cry, and it is the mission of the Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute to prepare for this work. We have been on the farm less than one year. These months have been filled with lessons for us. The great question of labor confronts us. The dignity of manual labor is faintly recognized. Most schools have emphasized mental culture to the neglect of the physical, and the results are seen all about us. The whole social problem centers in this. Shall we have a school which meets the situation fairly and without any compromise? It is a time when God is pointing men to the South. He says, “Behold the needs!” Are there young men who want to become workers here? The Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute can give employment to a number who may want to work now and lay up a credit on school expenses. The work will be on the farm and in the building department. Several cottages should be built before the opening of the fall term, and we would be glad to hear from young men who wish to enter the Southern field. The problems I have mentioned are the problems such will have to meet. We would be glad to correspond with any who feel drawn in this direction, and to them particulars will be given. Such ones may address E. A. Sutherland, Madison, Tenn.