HILDEBRAN.- by Daniel T. Shireman

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 18, 1900

HILDEBRAN.—

By Daniel T. Shireman

At the request of the General Conference ten years ago, I came to this State, asking the Lord to lead me every step of the way. As opportunities came, I tried to improve them, and I can now see how wonderfully the Lord has blessed my efforts.

For the last three years I have spent much time and money to build up a school, which was greatly needed. I feel repaid for all the toil and trials which I have had to pass through. Each has proved a blessing in disguise, causing me to move more carefully, and drawing me nearer to the dear Lord. The school soon outgrew its one room, and a two-roomed building was erected. During the summer this has been repaired and enlarged ready for the opening of the fall term. Miss Anna M. Nicholas, of Toledo, Ohio, who has been teaching for the last ten years in South Carolina, where she accepted the truth, has kindly consented to be its principal. It will be necessary, on account of its growth, to thoroughly reorganize and grade it, and as soon as consistent, to introduce industrial training. Sister C. D. Wolf takes the position of first assistant. Brother Wm. Johnston also stands ready to help with the extra classes. The older pupils, who have shown sufficient ability in this direction, will be taught to assist in some of the lower classes. Calls have come to us from persons outside our faith, to start schools in their neighborhood; so we shall look to our trained pupil-teachers to fill these openings. No one can claim that these teachers have entered our school from any pecuniary inducement. Love for souls has led them to join us in this field of labor.

Our land and buildings are free from debt. We go no faster than we can pay, and obey the apostolic injunction to “owe no man anything.” We have tried to follow the mind of the Lord all along the way. We have not advertised the school abroad; and within the last two years have had only four hundred announcements printed. It has taken my time, early and late, to clear the ground and to erect buildings. I have been carpenter, mason, and painter, but have counted it all joy, so that I could humbly serve my beloved Master Builder. Sister Nicholas has put up, at her own expense, a two-story, six-roomed house, for a teachers' home, where she will reside.

We are all of good courage, and pray the Lord of the vineyard to send His Holy Spirit.

DANIEL T. SHIREMAN.