The Awakening South by M. Bessie DeGraw

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · May 9, 1912

The Awakening South

By M. Bessie DeGraw

Forty years or more ago, the Lord, through the spirit of prophecy, called upon Sabbath-keepers of the United States to consider the great needs of their closest mission field, the Southern States. At that time this section lay broken and bleeding, apparently in a helpless and almost hopeless condition, as a result of the long struggle between the North and the South. But in that weakened condition, God saw the making of a great commonwealth to which this message must be given, and through which a mighty work might be done for other parts of the world.

It is evident that Sabbath-keepers did not see in this field what their Lord saw; for they have been slow, very slow, about responding to the call. The Testimonies tell us that we have not done what we might have done. They tell us that hundreds of families should move South to live out the truth in places where the every-day life-work of the Christian will have a telling effect.

The whole country is now awakening to the fact that the South is really alive, that it is a factor in history worth considering. Only recently one of the Washington, D. C., papers devoted an entire section to the educational and agricultural recovery of the South. The front page of that same issue made a most vigorous call to men and women of all classes and professions to come South to help in the general growth and prosperity.

I would not argue that our people should use these methods, but certainly in this matter we have another illustration of the Saviour's words that children of the world are wiser in their generation than the people of God. Had our people given a hearty response to the call forty years ago, they might to-day be in the lead of this great Southern movement, and be recognized as the greatest missionary people in the world; for the men who to-day, in the educational conferences of the South, talk of the South's recovery are advocating the very principles of education,—free rural schools of an industrial nature,—the very system of education given us as a people forty years ago.

A little work has been started in the South, but it is such a little work compared with what it should be! Now as educators are calling in clarion tones to all the country, "On to the South!" we should lift our voices and call aloud to Seventh-day Adventists everywhere, "Come South!"

Have you read that farmers, mechanics, tradesmen of various sorts, men of extended education, and men of more limited education can each find a place in the South where his talent can be used, and better still, where his talent will increase? The South needs you. You also need the South, and the experiences which come as a result of pioneer work. Here, we are told, is the best training ground in all the world for foreign mission workers.

The Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute, Madison, Tenn., is preparing workers for this field. Its young people receive a practical education that fits them to take a farm and make of it a school center, or to carry on medical missionary work, or to preach the gospel (every teacher should also be a preacher in the South), or to canvass, or to do city mission work.

During the coming summer term—June 23 to August 31—unequaled advantages are offered those who desire a speedy preparation for self-supporting missionary work. Are you interested? Particulars will be sent upon request. Now seems to be the time for work in the South, and we all should cooperate to meet the situation. There is a time for everything under the sun. Now is the time to work the South.

M. BESSIE DEGRAW.