A Place Called Oakwood

6—A Man Is Needed

Date: June 22, 1904
Location: Huntsville, AL
Source: Letter 201, 1904
Status: Previously unpublished

Context: A frustrated Ellen White rebukes the Oakwood board for relying on her too heavily and not acting wisely during her first visit to Huntsville. B.E. Nicola is still principal of Oakwood but the school is not improving as it should and Mrs. White expressly states that he should be relieved of his position and a new leader be installed.

To my brethren who are assembled in council:

I wish to speak a few words to you with my pen. I would not have needed to write this if you would stand in your place as men who have a work to perform. Our Brother Nicola should have been relieved of his responsibilities ere this. To every man is given his work. PCO 97.1

The light given me is that the school Board has not done its duty. Notwithstanding that the work on the farm and in the school has not advanced as it should have done, the same faculty have been permitted to exercise their judgment as fully capable men. The result of this has been that the efficiency of the school has been diminishing rather than increasing. PCO 97.2

I do not condemn Brother Nicola. This is not my work. If the Board have long seen the lack and the necessity of advancement, and yet have made no change in the faculty, the remissness will be charged to them, and the Lord will look upon them with disfavor. They are supposed to take in the situation, and if they pass over deficiencies without making any change, they are guilty of neglect, and the Lord is displeased. PCO 97.3

There is no reason why the Huntsville School and farm should show so little improvement. The Lord looks upon the neglect and charges it to the men who have failed to do their work. It is time that the Board awoke to their duty. The true application of the gospel removes all this spiritual apathy. The Lord calls for fresh power to be brought in by a change of men. No longer let the years pass without new capabilities being brought in—men who will introduce new methods and who will work with determined missionary spirit for the colored people. This school should be enlarging. This can be done and should be done. PCO 97.4

This school should be filled with students; but as long as one stands at the head who feels himself to be all-sufficient, and who cannot see his deficiencies, how can this school be an example for other schools that will be set in operation? PCO 97.5

Brother Nicola has been here for several years. Let him now give place for someone else to be tested and tried. A man is needed to stand at the head of the school with capabilities that he has not. PCO 97.6

It is not right to try to make me carry the burden of doing the work of the Board. I shall not do it. I shall have no more to say in this matter. I shall call upon the Board to do their duty. Act like men, not with hesitancy and with apparent unwillingness to move forward. PCO 98.1

Do not throw on Sister White the burdens that you should carry. PCO 98.2

Unabridged