Cumberland (Tenn.) Industrial School
By Clifford G. Howell
The first summer of my sojourn in this southland I heard a lecture by President Council, of Alabama. He spoke of his struggles to get an education, and related the turning decision of his life, when, with his right hand lifted to heaven and tears streaming down his face, he resolved that if God would help him to gain an education, he would in return make it easier for the feet of some of those who should follow after. At seventeen he learned to read; and when I heard him, he was still in the prime of life, and was president of the State normal near Huntsville. At that time, my own feet were in new paths; for I felt that God had called me to establish a school in a woody wilderness of central Tennessee. But I knew that the same God who had answered Mr. Council would soon call from workshop and plow those who would recognize the call, as did Elisha, and with such speedy preparation as they could gain in a short course of training, they would go forth to their life-work to plant the banners of the cross above the battlements of the enemy. It was a busy time of the year when Elisha left the field, his home and friends and went forth to his training for the work of God. One lesson he had learned while following the plow,—not to fail or be discouraged. Almost four years I have waited, watched, worked, and prayed. Now it seems that my hopes are about to be realized, of offering to this great cause of the third angel's message a school in the wilderness, as it were, where, amid hardships and privations, those who are willing to struggle as I have done to gain an education may have the opportunity. God has sent me helpers; and the thrill of the onward movement in this cause has met a response in all our hearts. And although even the food to feed a multitude seems not nigh at hand, yet we have banded together to bring our barley loaves to Jesus, and we believe they will increase as we impart. One sister suggested that members of the church bring in a baking of bread now and then if the supply should run short. And the brethren were willing to borrow money to purchase a team, wagon, and tools, and seeds, that the work might move forward; and this will be done. My first term of school here was attended mostly by outside students. I received sixty cents in cash on tuitions, the rest mostly in labor. I have had a feeling that energetic young persons who could earn a living on the home farm could pay their way in a home-farm school. We now offer an opportunity for this to be demonstrated. One day last week, in company with Brother Thompson, I drove ten miles to a sale. Before we reached the place, we saw a beautiful green field ahead, and found it was where the sale was being held. The soil was loose far down, showing careful tillage. We went into the barn and saw such fat, sleek horses as one seldom sees. The cows were fit for a fat stock show. In the bay was fine clover hay which sold for a high price. That farm was bought a few years ago by a Northern man, and at that time it was said to be one of the poorest, worn-out farms in the county. By diligent efforts he has brought it up to a high state of fertility. This demonstrates what the spirit of prophecy has told us—that false witness has been borne against the soil. This farm, from which this man fed his horses, mules, and cattle, was not a thousand-acre tract, but contained less than seventy acres. It reminded me again of the word that the Lord could cause twenty acres to yield as much as one hundred. I long to see more twenty-acre farmers demonstrating the truths that the Lord has given us. Returning to the school question: we have elected a board of directors, of which Elder W. W. Williams, president of our conference, is a member; Brother J. E. Vosburgh is superintendent of the farm; Ona E. Offerle is treasurer. It has been my hope from the first to build up a school which could offer to those who desire a better training for this grand cause the opportunity to receive at least a preparatory training, and at the same time do self-supporting work, and help to make the school self-supporting. We have now undertaken to do this, and I wish to correspond with those whose hearts may stir them up to come to this field of which the spirit of prophecy has so often spoken. We have at present but two buildings on the school farm, neither of which is fully completed, and a sawmill. Most of the one-hundred acre farm is to be cleared and prepared for cultivation. We are determined that no one connected with the school shall have to overwork; and that each one who works so much each day shall have part of each day for study and recitation, and further, that the best part of each day for study shall be given to that purpose. Now, young friend or older one, if you have been waiting for an opportunity of this kind, let me hear from you as to your desires and purposes, and I will give you further details of the work. Former address, Earleyville, now R. F. D. 2, Daylight, Warren Co., Tenn. CLIFFORD G. HOWELL.