Context: Aboard the Morning Star visiting key SDA places in the South, Ellen White writes to the then General Conference president, A.G. Daniells.
June 13, 1904
I have been instructed that the land on which our schools shall be established should be near enough to Nashville that there might be a connection between the schools and the workers in Nashville. Further than this, there are in Nashville large institutions for the education of the colored people, and our colored school is to be near enough to these institutions for the wing of their protection to be thrown over it. There is less inclination to oppress the colored people in this section of Tennessee than in many other parts of the South. Prejudice will not be so easily aroused. The institutions that have been established for the education of the colored people are richly endowed, and are in charge of white men. The presence of these institutions was one reason why Nashville was designated as the place in which the printing-office was to be established. I was instructed that the work in the South should have every advantage to print and publish books, that this work might gain a standing far ahead of that which it has had in the past. PCO 19.1
Suggestions have been made by some that it might be well to sell our property in Huntsville, and move the school to some other place, but I have been instructed that this suggestion had its birth in unbelief. Our school in Huntsville is in a good location, and the large State Normal school for the training of colored teachers, which is carried on not far from there by those not of our faith, has created an influence in favor of educating the Negro, which our people should appreciate. We should have in Huntsville facilities for the education of a goodly number of students. We should have a primary school and a school for more advanced students. It would take years to build up in a new place the work that has already been done in Huntsville. PCO 19.2
My soul is stirred within me as this matter is presented to me. I have not yet been to Huntsville, but I have an article written regarding what should be there in the future. PCO 19.3
We must plan wisely. God will go before us if we will look to Him as our Counselor and our strength. We need to get away from our selfishness, and begin to work for the Lord in earnest. PCO 19.4
Abridged
Sources: The Madison School, 6-7