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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— - •• ■ * 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. REMEMBER! Remember that everybody who sends $2 will not only get The Golden Age every week for one year, but will also receive free, postpaid, either of Dr. Len G. Broughton’s stirring books, “The Second Coming of Christ” or “Representative Women of the Bible.” Renewals count the same as new sub scriptions. Send NOW. 9