A Place Called Oakwood

Purpose

It was for the education of Christian workers that, in the providence of God, the General Conference purchased a beautiful farm of three hundred acres near Huntsville, Ala., and established an industrial training-school for colored students. During the past two or three years I have often received instruction in regard to this school, showing what manner of school it should be, and what those who go there as students are to become. PCO 155.3

Sources: The Review and Herald, September 21, 1905; Testimonies to the Church Regarding The Strengthening of Our Institutions and Training Centers, 19; The Huntsville School, 4

Long before I visited Huntsville the Oakwood School Farm was presented to me, both as it then was and as it might be in the future if wisely managed and properly cared for. PCO 155.4

The presentation of what the place ought to be, included an orphanage and a sanitarium. I was also shown cultivated fields, gardens where vegetables were cultivated, and orchards bearing abundance of fruit. PCO 155.5

Instruction was given me that the Lord would have consecrated, unselfish Christian workers connected with the Oakwood School, who would use skillfully the advantages of the Oakwood Farm for the benefit of the students in the school and the children in the orphanage. These advantages were to be used wisely in helping to supply the necessities of the orphans and in obtaining for them an education and training that would be pleasing to the Lord. PCO 155.6

I have been instructed that for the development of the Oakwood enterprises, the very best class of workers should be secured, because a special work is to be done here in revealing what religious education will do for the orphans and the outcasts through the labors of consecrated and skilful teachers. The teachers connected with the school must bear in mind that they are dealing with the purchase of the blood of Christ, with souls who, through earnest, God-fearing labors may become members of the Lord's family. PCO 156.1

Sources: To Those in Charge of the Colored Orphanage Enterprise, 1-2; The Huntsville School, 2

At the Huntsville School a thorough work is to be done in training men to cultivate the soil and to grow fruits and vegetables. Let no one despise this work. Agriculture is the ABC of industrial education. Let the erection of the buildings for the school and the sanitarium be an education to the students. Help the teachers to understand that their perceptions must be clear, their actions in harmony with the truth; for it is only when they stand in right relation to God that they will be able to work out His plan for themselves, and for the souls with whom, as instructors, they are brought in contact. PCO 156.2

Sources: Southern Field Echo, May 1, 1910