School Work in the South by D. T. Shireman

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 28, 1908

School Work in the South

By D. T. Shireman

[In the April issue of the Toluca Industrial Advocate, a paper published in the interest of the Toluca (N. C.) Orphans’ Home, we find an article by Elder D. T. Shireman concerning his work in behalf of the poor and neglected. This article, with a view of one of the buildings mentioned in it, is given herewith.—Ed.]

TOLUCA (N. C.) SCHOOL BUILDING AND TEACHERS’ HOME

WHILE traveling through the mountains of the Southland doing colportage work, such as placing Bibles and reading-matter in the homes of the people, was I found many persons, both old and young, who could neither read nor write. The disadvantages these unfortunate people lived and labored under were great. The days of the cruel war no doubt had something to do with the existing conditions. As they told of the hardships they experienced during that mighty struggle, my heart was touched, and as I looked into the many bright little faces, this question came home to me, “What can I do to help these people?”

My means were limited, as I was unfortunately left a homeless orphan boy, with only a few months in the public school, and most of that before I was seven years of age. What could I do? I resolved I would make an effort, and by beginning in a humble way do what I could. A young man who was with me volunteered his services, and he began work in a small church building, teaching the children during the day and the older people at night. This was the beginning of the Hildebran Academy. When we turned the school over to other parties, there were about seventy students enrolled.

By earnest request of the citizens of a country place, now called Toluca, we located there. This is our present site. It is seventeen miles south of where we started the first school. Here we are making a home for children whose parents are too poor to pay their tuition. We have erected a school building that will seat seventy pupils, with a home for teachers attached. This is very convenient. We have likewise erected a sixteen-room building, with cellar, bath, and green room. Some more land has been purchased, and we hope soon to erect another home for children. When this is completed we expect our work to be self-supporting.

We have given ourselves and all we have to be used for this needy work, believing the Lord will impress men, whom he has made stewards of means, to assist us in this work of charity.