18.
FAITH AND THE MAN
The Remarkable Story of Henderson Business College, a Bahá’í Enterprise
BY LOUIS G. GREGORY
DURING the autumn of 1915, Prof. George W. Henderson, then in charge of the Business Department of Roger Williams University, Nashville, Tenn., for the first time heard of the Bahá’í Faith. One of his friends had assured a visiting worker that he was keenly interested in the true values of life and would assuredly give a ready response. This expectation was realized. He was one of those rare souls who seemed just awaiting the message and so became aflame with its truth instantly. He made arrangements for a Bahá’í lecture at his college and afterwards declared that during its delivery the veils and clouds over all nations seemed for him to disappear. He arranged for other contacts and soon became both a teacher and exemplar of the great message with its ideals and principles of the New Day. As may be easily fancied, his enthusiasm because of his new discovery brought him many tests and trials, domestic, economic and social. But nothing daunted by these, he resigned his position at the close of the school year and selected another city, the metropolis of the state, Memphis, for pioneer work, and proceeded there on the strength of his faith. His aim was to found a college of his own where he would be entirely free, not only to earn a living, but to teach the Religion he loved.
If his faith was abundant his capital was small, consisting of but $2.20 in cash and two second-hand typewriters. His love and sincerity soon awakened others and in an incredibly short time he had gathered around him many of the brightest youth of that city and had also won the cooperation of their elders. Yet the dual nature of his enterprise, not only to teach business efficiency and methods, but also to train young and old in the Bahá’í Religion, aroused no little opposition. Business rivals and sectarian leaders of the old order did not leave him unscathed. But through many afflictions he adhered steadfastly to his aim.
During the sixth year of the school’s life, on a memorable evening, the entire faculty and student body united in a letter to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Haifa, Palestine. That Holy One very graciously and happily answered, and in another letter, to the friend who had given them the message, He thus wrote about Prof. Henderson:
"Thy letter that thou hast written in the beginning of December, 1920, has been received. Its contents contained very good news, indicating that his honor, Prof. George W. Henderson, has establised a Bahá’í College in one of the cities of the South; that now that college has developed, and the students are studying the Divine Teachings and also the necessary sciences and arts.
"That revered professor has been and will always be favored. The meetings which are formed at that college are bestowed with an emanation from the meetings of the Supreme Concourse. Such are also the meetings for teaching the children. These meetings are spreading eternal graces and are supported by the breathings of the Holy Spirit. His honor, Prof. Henderson, has in reality arisen in the service of the Kingdom. The fruits of this service are eternal bounty and everlasting life. Through the graces of God do I cherish this hope, that he at every moment will receive a new confirmation.”
These noble Words have been indeed
found creative and prophetic in
the evolution of the college.
It was a new sign of
confirmation when, about a decade later,
these friends again united in a letter, this
time to the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith,
Shoghi Effendi, who in reply showered his
love and encouragement upon them. What
was an infant project twenty-four years
ago has obviously grown during the passing
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years. After a few years
of struggle it was
able to change its rented quarters for a
ten-room structure of its own, whence,
through its unusual services to the city,
state and nation, its influence and fame
spread, and as a special sign of favor
the city fathers,
although it was a private enterprise, made it
tax exempt. Within the past year it has
made its greatest step forward. The United
States Government, in connection with one
of its welfare projects, found it necessary
to exercise its right of eminent domain by
taking over, in connection with one of its
welfare undertakings, a considerable section
of the city, included in which were two
colleges, this being one of them. While this
plan was pending, the other college, in view
of the withdrawal of so many of its
students, who felt the uncertainty and
upsetting conditions unfavorable
to planning and
work, found it necessary to close its doors.
On the other hand, Henderson Business
College maintained its morale and discipline
through it all, and through the prayers and
guidance which have shaped its ends, has
gained a new plant and location in every
way better than the old. It is now
beautifully housed in two commodious buildings
and a large campus in the very heart of the
best residential section of the city, a site
which in that city a colored school could
not occupy without the consent of its white
neighbors. The chapel of the college,
devoted to Bahá’í service, is adorned with the
Greatest Name, a picture of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,
another of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár,
and still another with a symbol of the number Nine.
Bahá’í teachers and workers, ever welcome, receive a cordial hearing. The president himself is well equipped as a Bahá’í teacher and attracts friends from the outside, as well as faculty and students. The acceptance of the Bahá’í Faith is of course for all a voluntary matter. The respect, loyalty and reverence which the president commands, the influence which he wields among all classes, are impressive to the visitor.
The Pittsburgh Courier, a weekly newspaper with a national circulation, under the appealing caption From Shoe-shine Boy to College President, tells this story in part of this college and its founder:
“The story of how George W. Henderson, with $2.20 and a resolute determination, an iron will and undaunted faith, created what has become the world’s largest business college for the colored youth in America, reads like that of Aladdin and his magic lamp.
“Firm in the conviction that the Negro’s social and economic plight is due largely to his inability to cope with the ever increasing demands of present day business, and with the firm belief that man has the power to be what he wants to be, to get what he desires, this genius, a Tennesseean by birth (Knoxville), in spite of poignant disappointments from individuals and sources from which he might have expected support, has created and developed Henderson Business College—a $50,000 institution, with dormitory accommodations, and a publishing and printing plant which turns out books, papers and commercial job work.
“Approximately eight hundred graduates and more than one thousand competent students have been recipients of the instruction in this school, scores of whom are employed by the government and in public and private business. Negro insurance companies and other commercial enterprises throughout the country draw largely upon this reputable institution for some of their most competent help.
“The record of Prof. Henderson—holder of many diplomas from various schools and colleges, working his way upward from that of ‘shoe-shine boy’ to the professorship of a college—should be definite inspiration to the Negro youth of the nation as positive proof that ‘It can be done!’ ”
" ‘Up from Slavery’ is one thing; but up from nothing is another. For after one reviews the difficulties overcome by this institution, and the rapidity with which it developed, he becomes mystified and marvels as he revels in the history of the achievements of Henderson Business College, under the mystic guidance of its president and founder, George W. Henderson, ‘The man who would not quit.’ ”
Although Prof. Henderson leads a very
active life, he yet finds time for meditation
and prayer, and attributes all his success to
his discovery of the new world order of a
new day and the Divine Favor which has
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guided his humble
efforts to serve humanity.
As he is a teacher in the true sense, there
is every sign that his influence will widen
with the coming years, causing many souls
to enter the path of God. He has the
distinction of being a pioneer in two ways:
First, in developing this particular phase of
Negro education by the founding and
development of a college. Secondly, by making
its origin and foundation Bahá’í
and devoting his talents and resources to the spread
of the Heavenly Teachings, he has a place in
history which the gladness of the world will
some day acclaim.
