p. 285 | TENNESSEE by John A. Brunson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 1, 1900

TENNESSEE

By John A. Brunson

GRAYSVILLE.—At the close of the District Conference which convened at Graysville in January, I assumed the duties of Biblical instructor in the Southern Industrial School, continuing my work therein till March 27, the date at which the winter term closed.

A room was given me in the student's home, and I lived among them as one of them. This gave me an excellent opportunity of observing the manner in which the home is conducted, and of witnessing the deportment of the students in their social relations. The rules and regulations are few and simple, but judicious, and are enforced with care and wisdom. The students, as a body, recognize the justness of the government under which they are placed, and respond with becoming grace to the requirements. Order, neatness, and decorum prevail. A genial, hospitable spirit pervades the place, which happily divests the life in the home of rigorous formality and artificiality. This fact contributes largely to success, for homelike contentment pacifies and composes the mind, and renders it more receptive and retentive.

A good work is being done in the school, and it deserves a liberal patronage. The entire management constantly keeps before the students the real purpose for which the school was established. It is recognized as an institution the main design of which is not simply the impartation of literary and industrial knowledge, but the thorough preparation of young men and women for active service in propagating the truth of God. To this end all work is planned to contribute. Anxious solicitude is manifested for the students that each one may come into the possession of a personal and experimental knowledge of Christ as his Saviour. The chapel hour is frequently devoted, not to the conventional reading, singing, and praying, but to clear and brief expositions of Scripture, followed by practical, pointed exhortation to godliness, at the close of which students are invited to speak. Some most helpful and encouraging experiences have thus been enjoyed within the last few weeks. Real victories have been gained, languished hopes revived, and true courage received, all as the result of understanding God's word more clearly and relying upon it more firmly.

The influence of the school upon the work throughout the entire district will be felt. The impress that is made upon the student is in turn conveyed by him to those with whom he comes in contact as he goes out to labor. Thus the school becomes a center from which waves of truth are begun that continue to widen until they embrace the whole territory. It is an indispensable factor in the cultivation of this large Southern field, and ought to be cheerfully supported and liberally patronized.

I am glad to say that it has enjoyed a fair degree of prosperity this year. The entire number of matriculants is greater than a hundred, representing many of the States comprised in the district. Of these students, many are of mature years and give promise of immediate usefulness.

May the prayers of the people, their contributions and their children, be directed to the Southern Industrial School. JOHN A. BRUNSON.