The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-06-16
MY VISIT TO FERRUM
fBy FRED II. CHENAULT)

work that / had never had before, and
] felt IL our Methodist people In Viz
ginia could only go to Ferrum and
see for themselves the remarka bic
work that is being done there, they
would no longer be skeptical. but
think on the other hand, would be
deeply chagrlrned that our vision Of
Christ has never led US to do more for
thteEe people of the mountains who
have so much In them, and who re-
spond so readily and appreciatively to
every opportunity of Improvement.
Another thing I noticed at Ferrum
and that was this. that there was
strong bond of affection between the
principal, the faculty, and tho students.
The whole school seems to be a great
Christian family bound together In
the love OF Christ. The spirit of help
fulness is predominant. as I heard Or.
Ecckham say to one Of the students.
We want you to come back next year
with or without money, but by all
means come" They have q class poem
at Ferrum, the words Of which / do
not remember, but which the prinoi-
pal repeated with q graduating class
on the might OF comm ncement, the
sentiments Of which was. Tn all
think and do and plan, in all am or
may be. let 1t all be for others" And
! think this is the secret of the beau
IL "a Dbih tl AF&Ffta2i4lF anu tofC re"
tween principal and faculty and nu-
Pills. The principal has made himself
one OF them and his unselfsh acts are
reflected In those people. and there
like everywhere else, love receives a
response that nothing else can draw.
Perhaps / was more impressed with
the intense religious spirit OF the
school than any other one feature.
was educated in a Christian college
and went to a Christian university
and have seen "A number of Christian
schools, but never anywhere have I
even seen such an overpowering re-
ligious s on m m encompassins Is
school as / saw and felt at Ferrum.
From the time entered it's doors until
the time left ! felt in very pecu-
liar sense that I was treading upon
holy ground. and all things there from
the least 10 the greatest had Been
dedicated to God. Beautiful were the
religious sentiments expressed nv the
--r--dUGrfng class. and how splendid to
}SnoW that two young men. who grad
batad were both going into the min
tstry. They were not contem p1attn &
entering, either. without further prep
8ratton, for Ferrum had inspired them
to desire thorough training so az to
he able to use TO the best advantage
the best that God had given them. !
soon discovered that | was not a. any
= era mary commencement, but w
standing In the presence OF people who
were really tasting life because they
had lifted the refreshing cup to the
{ lirs OF those who needed It,
/ have not INDUCED In nay fuIsome
I praise of Ferrum, but I have simply
stated the facts as | have seen them
/ and my Impressions as I have received
! them. However. If what have said ie
not convincing there is a way to be
] rg L. e. g-{a a.
/ school. I wish that every church In
! Virginia conference might he repre-
: scented by some earnest man or WON ar
! and that all of these as n body might
/ 20 together to Ferrum and together see
/ the school. receive the Inspiration
/ catch the vision Of service that an,
sure It viii give IT, ID en- and them 20
/ back again to their respective homes
and churches to be active workers 81
/ a cause that Is worthy to demand the
attention and support OF every Meth
odist in Virginia,