Spalding and Magan Collection

Nashville to be Made a Center

Years ago the Spirit of the Lord moved upon the hearts of men to establish in Nashville institutions of learning to educate the colored people of the South. The Lord now desires his people to establish institutions in this center, where a good work has already been done. In this place prejudice is not so easily aroused; buildings that can be utilized to advantage may be secured in which to make a beginning; workers for the colored race are protected, so that they can labor in safety; and the buildings in which they carry forward their work are not so liable to be destroyed. SpM 283.2

Some of our brethren saw these advantages, and decided to make this city a center for the work in the Southern states. The Lord approved of this step. But not a few of the brethren were dissatisfied. Their ideas were not met by the decision to establish the publishing house in this city, and they selfishly endeavored to divert to other places the means that our brethren in the North had given in response to appeals, means that the donors supposed was being used in Nashville. Obstacles were thrown before the workers by our own people, making every step of the way hard and trying. O how much less difficult this work would have been, if men to whom God had given such great light had not brought in their own ideas to hinder the work. SpM 283.3

Notwithstanding this opposition, the Lord wrought, and the work began. A building suitable for a printing office was secured for much less than its real value, and equipped. By the time the institution was ready to be opened, an excellent class of workers had been gathered together. The Lord revealed to me that some of these needed to be carefully looked after and held by the hand of faith, lest under adverse influences they might become discouraged. SpM 283.4

Soon the leaven of criticism and accusation was introduced among the helpers in the office. This was enough to sadden and discourage those who had made a beginning, but still they went forward. Those who have spoken disparagingly of the work that these pioneers accomplished, have not spoken in accordance with God's will; for from the light given me, I know that He who reads beneath the surface, sees that those who have gathered up reports against this work, could not have done so well, with so small an outlay of means, as have those who began by utilizing buildings already erected. SpM 283.5

Notwithstanding the voices that were raised in favor of establishing the publishing work in some other place, the Lord gave light and encouragement to the brethren to begin in Nashville. These voices that have so often been heard on the negative side of questions, were on this occasion silenced by the reproof of the Lord; for His hand was in the work in this place from the beginning. However, these adverse influences have by no means been checked completely by the light that the Lord has been pleased to give. Some of the brethren have been as men convinced against their will, and are of the same opinion still. SpM 284.1

God has wrought in the southern field; yet if these who have received light had walked in the light, how much more might have been accomplished. How much farther advanced the work would have been, if they had used their supposedly superior capabilities, and shown what they could do in working a field that had never been worked before. I have much more to say in regard to the way matters have been treated in this field. In time, these things will all be seen as they are, and those who do not now understand them will then be able to reason from cause to effect. SpM 284.2

The Lord is not pleased with the movements made by those who have opposed the work that centers in Nashville. He reads the heart of every man. Those who have opposed the clear light he gave in regard to making this place a center, should have awakened to a realization of their duty to establish centers of influence by erecting memorials for God. If they had manifested a desire to do their best to help, the work would not have been so hard and trying for the laborers, some of whom, constantly criticized and accused, have nearly lost their lives on account of overwork and anxiety. SpM 284.3