The Crisis at the Southern Training-School
By R. M. Kilgore
ELDER BUTLER and others have written none too strongly in regard to the pressing demands of the Southern Training-school at Graysville, Tenn. Its condition is most needy indeed, and must be changed, if possible, before the opening of the school year. Perhaps no one now living is better acquainted with the history of this school, its conception and birth, its struggles and conflicts during its growth, than the writer, having been with it from its incipiency. It was the first, and therefore is the oldest, institution planted in the South by Seventh-day Adventists. Elder G. W. Colcord started it as a private enterprise, with the indorsement of the General Conference, which then directed the work in these nine Southern States as only a mission field. There were but few believers, and none were wealthy. It was by a great sacrifice and a united effort that the present school building was erected, at a cost of about three thousand dollars. Our first dormitory was burned to the ground, and without financial aid from others, we again built another, costing between three and four thousand dollars. We incurred no debt, but our people could do no more. Both of these buildings are still in use without additional rooms, except as made by partitioning. But they are both sadly in need of repairs. The first must have a new roof, for the present one is too worn to shelter its inmates or the building. The second must be supplied with another heating plant, as the present one has insufficient power, is badly worn, and is unsafe. We have no suitable laundry, and one should be provided at once. Our destitute financial condition has compelled us to accept the most meager facilities, and the health of those doing the work has been endangered. Other improvements are greatly needed, and better furnishings must be provided. The general educational secretary, Prof. F. Griggs, on a recent visit to the school, after taking a careful survey of the buildings and surroundings, stated that ten thousand dollars was actually needed to place the institution in a proper condition. It will be noticed that we are not asking for assistance to pay debts, but to place the institution upon a proper, reasonable footing, so that it can do the work that the spirit of prophecy has definitely pointed out it should do. In speaking about the institutions in the South, the servant of the Lord says: “I saw where there are institutions for the advancement of the Lord’s work. One of these places was Graysville, and another, Huntsville, where we have industrial schools. These schools are to receive encouragement and help; for the Lord led in their establishment.”—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. VII, page 231. In view of this full indorsement of the Southern Training-school by the spirit of prophecy, we feel that it is our duty to present our plea for that “encouragement and help” we so much need just now. Will it not please those who can help to send us the relief called for? Thousands of dollars have been contributed to the upbuilding and support of our other institutions, while there has been no general call made for this one, and but little received from outside of Graysville. Our policy has been to shun debt. In the management of the school we have succeeded in keeping the running expenses within our income, and have incurred no debts, but have made no great gain. We have waited till other institutions might receive assistance. Our people at Graysville have again and again donated to help in that direction, so that the school has received no material assistance for years. But it is now reaching a crisis, and must have help, or a sad loss will surely be realized. Will not our good people in the North and in the South come to its rescue? No appeal in its behalf has been published till the present, pressing conditions were reached. We have endured the poor facilities and furnishings; suffered with the cold on account of incomplete heating apparatus, and waited till we knew that our turn had come. Our young people in the South are entitled to better and more appropriate accommodations than we have hitherto been able to give them. I must believe that our people will not consent to this any longer, and that they will now contribute willingly and liberally to place the Southern Training-school upon the plane the Lord has so plainly declared it should occupy. R. M. KILGORE,
Chairman of the Board.