Convention of Self-Supporting Workers
By D. H. Kress, M. D.
THE Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute of Madison, Tenn., has just closed its annual meeting in the interest of self-supporting missionary work. The entire meeting was of a practical nature. The workers met together for the purpose of counsel, and to study the best methods of tilling the soil, conducting self-supporting schools, and of bettering in general the community in which they are located. A sweet spiritual atmosphere and a spirit of consecration and unity seldom seen in these days, existed among the workers. While obstacles have to be surmounted, and much self-sacrificing work has to be done, in starting and conducting a rural school, not a discouraging note was sounded by any one present. Unconsciously, the workers gave the impression that they had enlisted for life, and were planning to that end. The entire meeting was an inspiration to all who were present. I was pleased to see the advance made by this organized effort to conduct self-supporting work. This movement is in harmony with the demands of the message. All can not go forth as paid employees of the conferences. Many are standing idle because no man has hired them; but if they will move out by faith on the promise, "Whatsoever is right I will give you," they will find that their needs are as well provided for as are the needs of the regular conference employees. If one half of our Seventh-day Adventist farmers, settled in communities where we have so many Sabbath-keepers for the purpose of making money, would sell their houses and lands, and settle in some needy community for the purpose of being missionaries, great blessing would result. The land in the South is cheap, and intelligent cultivation has shown it to be very productive. Those who have already opened schools would welcome help of this kind. Various industries have already been started by the student workers. Brethren Mulford and West, who are located about thirty miles from the school at Madison, have an excellent sawmill, and a canning industry. These furnish employment to people in the community, and also assist in supporting the school in its work of training the children. Brother C. F. Alden's work was very highly spoken of by Senator Albright, Mrs. Pearl Williams Kelley, general secretary of the Tennessee Library Commission, and State officials who were present. Brother Alden's school is located in a district where great poverty exists, and where the land was considered almost worthless. Through intelligent cultivation he has demonstrated that this deserted land may be made to blossom as the rose. He has many visitors from various parts of the State. Brother Alden is regarded as an authority on soils, and his services are sought wherever farmers' institutes are conducted. Plans were also laid at this meeting to open up self-supporting medical missionary work in the city of Nashville. The aim is to secure property outside of the city as a training-center for city workers. The chief burden of the workers is to be a blessing to the community in which they are located by living the Christ-life. The Madison movement was at first regarded with suspicion, but it now has the confidence of the State officials and leaders in reforms. The words of encouragement by Mr. Taylor Stratton, Senator Albright, Miss Moore, State organizer of schools for the study of domestic science, and other influential persons, were highly appreciated. D. H. KRESS, M. D.