Ellen G. White: The Early Elmshaven Years: 1900-1905 (vol. 5)

No Cheap Land

By this time it had become apparent that the main object of the journey to find land at reasonable prices was not going to be accomplished. The land that was expected to be available for $2 or $3 an acre, or $8 or $10, was running about $60 an acre. Willie concluded that the low prices he had heard about were those offered twenty or thirty years earlier. But nobody seemed to mind too much. Ellen White became more and more emphatic that any schools they would establish should be near Nashville. So on Monday morning the Morning Star started back down the river. Much better time was made with the river current carrying them along. In a letter written that day to Elder Daniells, she outlined their plans: 5BIO 344.3

Tomorrow morning we shall reach Edgefield Junction, which is only twelve miles from Nashville. We shall stay there for the rest of the day, for we wish to visit a farm which is for sale at Madison, about seventeen miles from Nashville, and two and a half miles from the railway. It is said that this farm contains nearly 100 acres of good bottom land, more than 100 acres of second-quality agricultural land suitable for grain and fruit, and about 200 acres of pasture land. We think that it can be purchased for about $12,000. It is said that there are on it over $2,000 worth of stock and farm implements. 5BIO 344.4

I desire to look at this farm, and if it be the will of the Lord, I shall do so tomorrow afternoon. The farm has a roomy house, barns, and other buildings, and two and a half miles of good stone fence. Considering its advantages, its price is less than anything else we have seen in this part of Tennessee.—Letter 195, 1904. 5BIO 345.1

She elaborated a bit about its general relationship to Nashville: 5BIO 345.2

I have been instructed that the lands on which our school shall be established should be near enough Nashville for there to be a connection between the school and the workers in Nashville.— Ibid.

Tuesday, on looking over the Ferguson-Nelson place, near Madison, Ellen White was pleased and thought it would serve well for the new school. Brethren Sutherland and Magan were considerably less optimistic. They had hoped for something better for less money. Ellen White reports that “I felt so thoroughly convinced that it was a favorable location for the work that I advised our brethren to make the purchase.”—Letter 215, 1904. 5BIO 345.3

The price with standing crops was $12,723. The professors, as they recounted the story in later years, told of how, when they witnessed Ellen White's certainty about this matter and remembering the experience in Australia with the Avondale school, they felt they must move in this direction. So that Tuesday they made their decision to purchase. 5BIO 345.4

But it proved to be anything but a simple transaction. Mrs. Ferguson, who had to sign the papers, at first refused to sell the farm to men from the North, declaring, “I'll never sell to a Yankee.”—Ira Gish and Harry Christman, Madison, God's Beautiful Farm, p. 23. After several interviews and many prayers, and a demand from Mrs. Ferguson for an extra thousand dollars, she put her signature by her husband's, and the contract was made secure. 5BIO 345.5

There was some hesitation about the extra thousand dollars, and some took it as an omen that they should withdraw. But Ellen White exclaimed, “Do you think I'd let the devil beat me out of a place for a thousand dollars? Pay the extra thousand. It's cheap enough. This is the place the Lord said you should have.”— Ibid., 27. 5BIO 345.6

With the property bargained for, the men hurried North to find friends who would help meet the purchase price. Writing to a friend, Ellen White reported on the four-hundred-acre place: 5BIO 345.7

The size of the farm, its location, the distance that it is from Nashville, and the moderate sum for which it could be purchased seemed to point it out as the very place needed for our school work here. The house is old, but it can be used until more suitable buildings can be erected.—Letter 215, 1904. 5BIO 346.1

Rather exuberantly she noted: 5BIO 346.2

Included in this sale are a number of horses, cows, and other stock, carriages and farming implements, also a house, that would be of use to the school. There are many beautiful cedar trees on the place. Fifty acres of the land is under cultivation, and the crops are in a flourishing condition. Portions of this land can be sold to those connected with the school for dwelling houses.—Letter 249a, 1904.

In another letter she explained the cherished plans and objectives of Brethren Sutherland and Magan: 5BIO 346.3

The plan upon which our brethren propose to work is to select some of the best and most substantial young men and women from Berrien Springs and other places in the North, who believe that God has called them to the work in the South, and give them a brief training as teachers. Thorough instruction will be given in Bible study, physiology, the history of our message; and special instruction will be given regarding the cultivation of the land. 5BIO 346.4

It is hoped that many of these students will eventually connect with schools in various places in the South. In connection with these schools there will be land that will be cultivated by teachers and students, and the proceeds from this work will be used for the support of the schools.—Letter 215, 1904. 5BIO 346.5