The Presbyterian of the South : [combining the] Southwestern Presbyterian, Central Presbyterian, Southern Presbyterian. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1909-1931, June 16, 1909, Page 17, Image 17

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June 16, 1909. THJ? all religions. The religious feature of the proposed school was made clear to him and he entered heartily Into a discussion of the plans and location. He said he would give his Interest and cooperation wherever In the State of Nuevo Leon the sfchool was placed, but that he could do more for it, If it were located, as it should be, in his opinion, near Monterey, the capital. We were very pleasantly impressed with our call on the* Governor. At Linares, about 90 miles toward Tanipico from Monterey, we found the Rev. H. L. Ross waiting for us. He was seated in a substantial road wagon, trying to hold to the earth an animal by the name of "Greenwood" (so called from Greenwood, Miss.), who was making frantic efforts to place miles between himself and the locomotive. In due time, however, we arrived in safety at the Graybill home, of which I had often heard. This horse did good service in taking us to see the various places offered for the school; this week he is pulling the same wagon and the Ross brothers on an itinerary, which includes the outlying stations of the mission. We were shown properties ranging in price from ten thousand, to thirty thousand dollars Mexican money, all of them on fine roads and only a few minutes from the center of the city. They would not be considered as large acreage in proportion to the price asked for them, but they are all irrigated and have their own permanent water rights. It must be remembered that irrigable property U worth a good price anywhere. It is especially valuable in Mexico, where such land is limited, and where all produce generally brings a good price. Either one of the larger properties offered would be capable of supplying a considerable part of the funds needed for runuing? expenses, besides furnishing all that would be needed in the way of produce for the table and feed for the animals required in connection with the school. The highest priced place can give early returns from a large planting of sugan cane already in line growing condfTTou. A mill to crush the cane goes with the place. This is run by water power. There is an attractive small grove of orange trees as well as many pecans and aguacates, or alligator pears. I know of no reason wny orange ana lemon growing should not be profitable in Linares. Other profitable industries would be a modern dairy and small ice plant in connection with it and a poultry plant. The large markets of Monterey and Tampico are only a few hours distant The staple crops are sugar cane and corn. It was refreshing to me to see the broad green fields, and the fine large pecan and aguacate trees with their abundant shade. The people were complaining of the long drouth, but to me, even as it was, it was something wonderful. I am accustomed to live where the outlook is ever upon barren mountains and sun-scnrched, windswept plains, where the climate is the very finest, but where running water is scarce and where there has not been a shower since last September. I conthnnch tho woofhnr waa mnra than warm at Linares, and they told me it would be still warmer. Johnson grass also grows along with the sugar cane. Montemorelos had been a strong sec PRXSBYTCRIAN OP THE SOUT ond in Presbytery for the location of the school, so we went there from Linares. It is only thirty-two miles distant in the direction of Monterey and yet claims all kinds of superiority in climate, health and soil. It may be as well to bear in mind that these points are not conceded by Linares, and that hot weather and Johnson grass are common to them both. The town is beautifully located and it also, is a place where irrigation is largely in use. It is becoming celebrated for its fine oranges, and groves of these beautiful trees are to be seen on every hand. Large crops of sugar cane and corn are aiom. a ouaiDer or Americans have settled about the town, giving their attention mainly to orange growing. Montemorelos is notable for its fine city hall, and for its imposing public school building nearing completion Either one of these structures would be a credit to any place, and many much larger Mexican cities can not even approach them. The mayor, Senor Arnulfo Berlanger, is a thoroughly progressive mau. He speaks the English language perfectly and granted our committee a most cordial interview. Recognizing the benefit to a community of such a school as the ono proposed, he offered to give an entire city square, situated in one of the most attractive parts of town, together with all the water necessary to keep it beautiful and for use in the buildings that might be erected on it, entirely free of charge and exempt from city taxes. This property is intended for a city park and could not.be bought for private use. Its value is estimated at $3,500 Mexican. We also found a pretty little orange grove and farm of about 30 acres, which the owner would sell at a reasonable price. should the mission desire it for the school. In general, there is less property available than at Linares. The Montemorelos people claim this also in their favor, as the lands being more valuable, the owners are slow to part with them. The details of all these propositions will have to be worked out by the mission and the Executive Committee. Monte morelos is where Miss Bedinger has labored long. The minister is Don Alejo Espinosa. There is a school for girls and one for boys in connection with the work of the Church. The boys' school will soon move into a neat, new substantial building of its own, erected, in great part, through the effort of Miss Bedinger. Here is also that fine helper, Mr. Henry Ellis, formerly of the Royal British navy, who long ago left the ''natho nf tho ax^a" for the more peaceful pursuit of growing fine oranges and teaching a class In a* Presbyterian foreign mission Sunday school. The picnic dinner at his picturesque home with our mission friends will be long remembered. It was only in keeping with the continuous kind of hospitality and generous friendship shown me from the time Mr. Ross met me In Monterey, until I said gooy-bye to the little group of natives ami foreign workers gathered on the platform at Montemorelos to see me off. It was a source of sincere reeret that Rev .T n flhaihw of Victoria, could not be with us, he beinK detained at the bedside of his sick wife. In conclusion. I venture to offer a few suggestions regarding the "Grayblll Me H. i? morial Industrial School." As others have written to the "little children," 1 will write unto the "fathers" and to others of larger growth. The cnildren of the church have ever responded well to her calls, bat they can do better when the older ones are Interested in their endeavor, and give them encouragement and help. First, then, the school will be well named. On a lonely grave at Linares, is cut into granite this scripture in the Spanish language: "Blessed are the dead which die' in the Lord from honrofnrth yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works dofollow them." The granite will some day crumble, but the words are immortal. How fitting that they should find expression in another memorial which, "far down the future's broadening way," will continue in ever-increasing usefulness, the work of service for Mexico which Dr. Graybill, at the Master's call to rest, laid down and left to other hands and to other hearts. The school will meet a real need. 1 do not know of .another Institution of its proposed scope in the entire Republic and I do know that young men who desire the information it should give, are obliged to go abroad to obtain it. Suitable property can now be acquired and the Interest of influential persons enlisted. They will be the more ready to appreciate its work, because they can comprehend at once the material benefit it will bring their country, and this, is what the leaders are ever seeking. Provision for the school should be madeon broad lines. Property should be secured that will meet all needs for an in/lofinHo I* -u * * *? " ................ i^iiuu, ii auuuia oe cap&Dieof yielding a substantial revenue and should constantly increase in value. But however complete the plant, it can only achieve success and reach its. destiny under the direction and management of men who, from every point of view, are equal to the work required. With all the conditions met, the school should be a success from the start. I am convinced that any general material or spiritual advance that may be hoped for in Mexico can best be realized by using in that hope the endeavor of the Mexicans themselves. It is not, there fore, so much a question of more foreignworkers, as it is a question of more trained native workers. The youth or the country is the material and that only. Through her young men must Mexico boled to her place "in the future that awaits Latin America, immense as her mountains and her seas, brilliant as her skies and her resplendent stars." Here, then, is the ^reat opportunity, for they are willing to be taught?in fact, * they are being taught in Mexico and elsewhere. Some of them can be taught in the Gray-bill Memorial Industrial School. The work of the Southern Presbyterian church has had its difficulties and lta discouragements. Here is a fine chance to help It and to indefinitely extend and broaden its influence. The a.ppeal made to the children for an offering on Mar 23 for the "Graybill Memorial Sohool" Is well worthy the consideration and the contribution of every one who if interested in the foreign work of. thft Southern Presbyterian church. Saltillo, Mexico.