10—Blossom as a Rose

Date: July 11, 1904
Location: Takoma Park, Maryland
Source: Letter 239, 1904
Status: Previously unpublished

Context: Mrs. White writes another letter on the day she returns, this time to her grandnieces, the Walling sisters.

Dear children Addie and May,

I have desired to keep up a correspondence with you, and this is why I write. I have a deep interest in you both. I pray that in your lifework you may glorify the Lord.PCO 101.1

I wish that Addie could be connected with some one of our schools, as a teacher of Spanish. And I wish that May could work in some one of our sanitariums, not to give heavy treatment, but as a teacher or a head nurse. I believe that she would be a blessing in the San Diego sanitarium, which, we hope, will soon be ready to open.PCO 101.2

I ask you to tell me frankly whether you would be willing to connect with the work in the way I have mentioned. I am sure that there are openings you could fill without finding the labor wearisome. Please think of this. I feel unwilling that either of you should remain in New York through another winter....PCO 101.3

On Monday morning we went to Huntsville. We found the school situated in a beautiful country place. There are over three hundred acres in the school farm, most of which is under cultivation. But for several years the land has not received the attention that it should have had, and the present showing is not the most favorable.PCO 101.4

Not long ago the suggestion was made to me, “Would it not be well to sell the school land at Huntsville, and buy a smaller place.” Instruction was given me that the land should not be sold; that the situation possessed many advantages for the carrying forward [of] a colored school. I was shown what the school could become, and what those could become who go there for an education, if the will of God is carried out. But in order for this to be, a man of managing ability must be placed in charge, a man who can give the students an example of how things are to be done and make the school farm blossom as a rose.PCO 101.5

We stayed at Huntsville till Wednesday. I spoke several times. We saw but few of the students, as school had closed, and most of the students had gone their different ways.PCO 101.6

Abridged