A Place Called Oakwood

B. Oakwood Quotables

1. He has given you talents to be improved. He has bestowed on the colored race some of the best and highest talents. He will bless in the work of transforming mind and character. PCO 160.1

Sources: The Southern Missionary, June 1, 1904; Manuscript Releases 6:211; Manuscript 60, 1904

2. I say again, I am so glad that we have this farm. Not long ago one came to me, and said, “I think it is a mistake to keep that large farm. It is not half cultivated. I think they might better sell a portion of it.” That night instruction was given me regarding the matter. It was God's purpose that the school should be placed here. He saw that the workers here would not have to fight every inch of ground in order to establish the truth, as the workers in some places have had to do. The instruction was given me, Never part with an acre of this land. It is to be used in educating hundreds. PCO 160.2

Sources: The Southern Missionary, June 1, 1904; Manuscript Releases 6:214; Manuscript 60, 1904

3. I need not say any more this morning. I am very thankful that I could visit your school. For years I have done what I could to help the colored people, and I have never found the work so well begun in any place as I find it here at the present time. PCO 160.3

Sources: Manuscript 27, 1909; Manuscript Releases 2:85; Southern Field Echo, June 1, 1909

4. It have been shown that with proper management the Huntsville School and the Graysville School could be self-supporting. But I was instructed, also, that the difficulties to be overcome in the Huntsville School would be far greater than in some other schools. A school for colored students cannot be compared with or treated in the same way as a school for white students. PCO 160.4

Sources: Letter 200, 1903; Manuscript Releases 2:66

5. Recently the suggestion has been made that the school at Huntsville is too large, and perhaps it would be better to sell the property there, and establish the school elsewhere. But in the night season instruction was given me that this farm must not be sold. The Lord's money was invested in the Huntsville School Farm to provide a place for the education of colored students. The General Conference gave this land to the Southern work, and the Lord has shown me what this school may become, and what those may become who go there for instruction, if His plans are followed. PCO 160.5

Sources: Letter 215, 1904; The Review and Herald, September 1, 1904; Manuscript Releases 2:67-68; Manuscript Releases 14:38; The Oakwood Manual Training School, 7; Spalding and Magan Collection, 359; Last Day Events, 102

6. Over and over again the light has been given that a special work is to be done in Huntsville. Those who are rooted and grounded in the truth, in all its bearings, are to be placed in charge of the work. A beginning has been made on the orphanage for colored children, but this work stands unfinished. On the beautiful farm of over three hundred acres, God purposes that an efficient missionary training school shall be conducted, which will develop many workers for the colored people. PCO 160.6

Sources: Letter 205, 1905; The Watchman, August 29, 1905; Spalding and Magan Collection, 380; To Those in Charge of the Colored Orphanage Enterprise, 3

7. There are among the Negro race those who have superior natural intelligence, and who, if converted to Christ, could do a good work for their own people. Many should be given the opportunity of learning trades. Others are to be trained to labor as evangelists, Bible workers, teachers, nurses, hygienic cooks, and colporteurs. Many can be taught to be home missionaries. PCO 161.1

Sources: The Review and Herald, September 28, 1905; The Huntsville School, 15

8. Several years ago it was presented to me that the Gentile world should be called upon to make donations to our work in the Southern field. Let discreet, God-fearing men go to worldly men that have means, and lay before them a plan of what they desire to do for the colored people. Let them tell about the Huntsville School, about the orphanage that we desire to build there, and about the colored mission schools that are needed all over the southern States. Let the needs of this work be presented by men who understand how to reach the hearts of men of means. Many of these men, if approached in the right way, would make gifts to the work. PCO 161.2

Sources: Letter 295, 1905; Manuscript Releases 2:70

9. The neglected South is to be especially favored now, because of the neglect of the past. The atonement for the failure of the past to meet the needs of this field, should be full and ample. The institutions in the South that for years should have stood on vantage ground are now to be especially favored. The Huntsville School must be encouraged to enlarge its work. Every possible advantage should be given to these schools, that they may show what can be done in making the earth to yield her treasures. The Madison and Huntsville Schools are to be an object lesson to the people in their vicinity. PCO 161.3

Sources: Spalding and Magan Collection, 401; The Madison School, 4

10. Some very decided instruction has been given me in regard to the work to be done in Huntsville, and the necessity of our placing the Training School there on vantage ground. Let us delay no longer to do the work that so long has been left undone in the Southern field. Soon this work of training colored people to be laborers in the cause of God will be much harder to handle than it is now. PCO 161.4

Sources: Letter 228, 1907; Manuscript Releases 2:72

11. The land at Huntsville was a donation from our people to the colored work. A much broader work would have been accomplished there had our people moved forward in faith and self-denial. It was God's design that Huntsville should have convenient school buildings and a sanitarium for the colored people. This sanitarium building has become a positive necessity. Some of the brethren have been free to give their advice concerning this institution, saying that it should be “a small sanitarium.” The advice I have had to give has been that we should have a modest but roomy sanitarium, where the sick can be taken in and treated. The colored race should have the benefits of such an institution as verily as should the white people. PCO 161.5

Sources: Letter 322, 1907; Manuscript Releases 2:77

12. When this light was given me, I had never seen Huntsville. I was shown that Huntsville would be a place of special interest to those who would act their part to help the colored people. PCO 162.1

Sources: To Those in Charge of the Colored Orphanage Enterprise, 2-3; The Huntsville School, 2

13. Had our people in the Southern States taken the interest in the Huntsville School that God would have been pleased to see them take, this institution would now be on high vantage-ground. Tried men should have gone from church to church in the Southern field, setting before our people the needs of this school. I have been burdened so heavily over this matter, that I have felt that if my strength would be sufficient to enable me to travel from place to place in the South, and arouse our people to fulfill their duty toward this school, I would then be willing to die. From the light given me, I know that God is in earnest with us regarding our neglect of duty toward this institution. PCO 162.2

Sources: The Southern Missionary, September 1, 1904

14. Many may talk discouragingly in regard to the Huntsville School, but do not let this lead you to look at the school in their light. There is a bright side to the picture. Try to find it. In a humble, prayerful, consecrated spirit, talk the matter over together, and light will come in. PCO 162.3

Source: Letter 99, 1904

15. There cannot be a place more appropriate for the colored school, the college for the intermediate class, if parents of good, sound minds will come in and act a disinterested part in the working out of the problem. We are not to go searching for other lands and purchasing other grounds for the colored people. I have been shown that the land in Huntsville will yield her treasures. PCO 162.4

Source: Manuscript 143, 1904