The Orphanage

Sanitarium, Cal., 

February 16, 1909. 

The question has been asked if the orphanage for colored children ought to be located on the Oakwood school farm. SpTB12x 2.1

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. SpTB12x 2.2

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 raised, and orchards bearing abundance of fruit. SpTB12x 2.3

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. SpTB12x 2.4

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.... SpTB12x 2.5

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. SpTB12x 2.6

Ellen G. White 

Note.—The following pages were prepared for publication in the summer of 1908, but the manuscripts were lost on their way to the printer. Then, for use at the camp-meetings, other selections from the testimonies regarding the work, were printed and circulated, under the title of “special testimonies, series B, NO. 12.” and now that the lost manuscripts have been restored, they are issued as “special testimonies, series B, NO. 12x.” the delay in publishing makes it possible to include the message of February 16, 1909, regarding the Orphanage. SpTB12x 2.7

W. C. White