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The Self-Helping Schools of Northfield
Sometimes as a thoughtless argument against
the necessity for a college education, it is stated
that Mr. Moody was not “a college man”; and
further, that Charles H. Spurgeon himself was not
”a college man.” But be it remembered that each
of these great men acknowledged his need of train
ing and strove heartily and wisely to open the way
for the education of others.
Mr. Moody believed in foundation work in edu
cation as well as religion; and he also believed with
a passion next to his burning love for winning souls,
that education— Christian education— should be
brought close to humanity. In this basic idea of
consecrated sanctity the Northfield schools were
born.
He was their founder when his vigorous, practi
cal life was in the meridian of its splendor, and
he continued their sacrificing friend and advocate,
holding them in his fatherly arms of protection
and development until the day of his death.
His great personality and reputation for stalwart
common sense brought him the financial friendship
of men and women of large means, and thus the
Northfield schools were founded, and have been
i■■ '**'*' ■**■**! By—
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supported, from the standpoint of a far-reaching
investment in Christian benevolence.
The Northfield Seminary for Girls.
In founding the Northfield Seminary for Girls,
Mr. Moody determined to encourage the wholesome
principle of self-help. Girls as bright as any in
the land, and yet not financially able to pay their
way at the expensive fitting schools of New Eng
land, come here and pay one hundred dollars a year
(their other expenses being met by the instituti(V)
and are thus admitted to opportunities as high and
splendid as America can afford.
With more than forty instructors and helpers in
the realm of letters, science and religion, teaching
more than four hundred self-helping girls, while
hundreds more are knocking at the door of this sa
cred opportunity, Northfield Seminary is the heart
beat of a mighty uplift for the womanhood of New
England and the missionary endeavor of the world.
The Seminary’s Beginning.
In “Four Why’s Answered,” an attractive lit
tle booklet, the following quaint and pathetic little
story is given, telling the first “why” of The
Northfield Seminary’s beginning:
“Those three country girls whom Dwight L. Moody
saw sitting by their door braiding hats, as he drove
over the mountain near his old home some twenty
five years ago, showed him a need which he deter
mined to do what he could to meet. They were
to‘him representatives of a class of bright, promis
ing gills with large possibilities, but with small
mjportuujties. He would give them such educational
View of Seminary Campus From West Bank of Connecticut River.
The Golden Age for August 30, 1906.
advantages as he had felt the need of himself, and
he would have them so trained that their lives
should count the most possible for the cause of
Christ.”
With this purpose in mind, an addition was put
on to his own home, a recitation hall erected, twen
ty-five girls gathered, and in 1879 Northfield Semi
nary began to be.
Miss Evelyn Hall, a woman of great strmgth,
culture and consecration, is principal of the Semi
nary,. while Mr. W. R. Moody is, of course, the di
recting genius of the institution.
The Seminary buildings are erected on the village
plan, and crowning the many grass-clad hills of
East Northfield, make a beautiful and inspiring
students’ home.
“The Dew of Hermon”
falls on the flower of American youth, for, from all
over the land boys who mean business with their
lives come to Mount Hermon School for Boys to
lay the foundation of a stalwart and conquering
manhood. For this purpose nature, it seems, has
done her best. On a neighboring hill across the
Connecticut, about four miles from Northfield, are
grouped the Mount Hermon buildings, the most
notable of which is the large, imposing chapel
which was a birthday present to Mr. Moody on his
sixtieth anniversary from his friends in England.
This chapel overlooks one of the most beautiful
landscapes in all the world. Pausing in front of this
chapel the visitor to Mount Hermon stands en
tranced as his eye sweeps that wonderful scene.
The Palisades of the Hudson are hardly so grand
as the lofty hills that speak to him on the other
side; and rolling through the beautiful valley be
tween—
“ Gleaming like a silver serpent seaward watch yon
river glide
Where the slanting sunlight slumbers, quivering on
its burnished tide.”
And the visitor communes with himself and the
Maker of that wonderful scene: “Surely this
height of marvelous inspiration must speak with
Heaven’s voice to the mind and soul of every Mt.
Hermon boy.”
This great school was founded twenty-five years
ago by Dwight L. Moody for boys, for the most
part, like himself. Up from the ranks of the peo
ple he had come. And he determined, under God,
to build a ladder with rungs sure and strong, up
which boys with dreams and struggles could mount
to life’s best preparation.
Mr. Henry F. Cutler, the beloved Principal—a
helpful blending of rugged manhood and gentle
speech, is making Mount Hermon, we believe, more
than Eton or Rugby ever knew.
Nearly five hundred boys, fired by the ideals and
encouragement placed before self-made and self
making manhood, are learning, thank God the old
fashioned truth that “the fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom,” and are being taught that
the basic element in what is called “elemental
manhood” must be based on the Rock of Ages.
Into the Highways and Hedges.
Just back from Northfield the Editor was hurry
ing out to Douglasville to see “the dear ones at
home”—when lo! he unexpectedly ran into a happy
band of Atlantans going out to close that night a
great tent meeting at Mableton. Os course I had
to stop. E. H. Peacock, the indefatigable Taber
nacle missionary and assistant to Dr. Broughton,
had been up to his old tricks out into the highways
and hedges, preaching the gospel every night and
working all day and Sunday besides! Backed by
that royal, loyal spirit, E. H. Thornton, who said,
“Go out there and hold that meeting and call on
me for what you need,” Peacock had gone, while a
faithful band of Tabernacle workers and devout
men and women from other denominations stood by
his side.
Mableton, a pretty little town about a dozen miles
from Atlanta, like many other suburbs and other
urbs, needed a religious awakening. In the out
skirts ot the town the workers’ tent was spread.
The crowds at first were small. Perhaps some of the
people were a little suspicious of those “city folks
coming out to tdl us how to live.” But the unself
ish devotion of the men and women who worked in
the big city every day and then came out every
night at their own expense to try to help the lives
of others, seemed “mighty like” a Christlike ex
ampit with a Pauline tinge of personality, ami the
people came from far and near.
Many notable conversions occurred, among them
a man nearly seventy years old who hail long
“fought shy” of gospel influences.
When the last service which was largely given to
joyous testimonies was over, several of the work
ers went over to the negro church near by where a
big singing convention was being held and preach
ed “the old time religion” which many of the col
ored people love so well.
They reported a “hallelujah time.”
Moral: If these Christian workers can find ac
tual recreation from daily toil by going out into the
highways and hedges and doing so much good, why
don’t you try it, reader? W. D. U.
Our Northfield Trip.
(Continued from page 5.)
down upon the Camp. She must needs tell the
story again; and it was beautiful to witness the at
tentions showered on every hand upon this brave
young woman who, working in an office for years
during the week, has found time to give herself so
unselfishly to uplifting others. And without osten
tation the story of this work, modestly, simply and
tenderly told, will be an inspiration to Christian
workers far and near as a result of her visit to
Northfield.
Get Ready for Next Summer.
Our party had but one voice: “Oh, that I could
stay a month!” or “I wish I could stay forever!”
And they would vote unanimously to advise every
body to begin to plan right now to spend a part of
next summer at Northfield. W. D. U.
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