Springs are Flowing Again
Another Day Along the Way
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Another day,
We often crave a return to good old days. More often and more real, are our longings for true, fresh, alive wells of living water. Though we think former forms are preferable, what works best is new life of ancient tradition.
Here is a news story from Sara Ray in "Columns," the Emmanuel College newspaper. Read the report and see what you crave to come alive in your true self. And pray, for the river to flow.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Springs are flowing again
Last October, one of the EC maintenance men made a surprising discovery at the Pavilion. A natural spring has begun flowing out of an old city well, much like mineral springs for which the City of Franklin Springs earned its name. The water from this spring has been steadily flowing for the past four months, and a second spring has been bubbling up as well.
"It really is kind of a miracle that the water started flowing again," observes Franklin Springs City Councilman Charles Powell.
"Getting the water flowing again will be a huge thing for our area. This is tremendous for city pride," he explains.
Although many students do not realize it, Franklin Springs used to be known for more than Emmanuel College. About 100 years ago, the land now owned by EC was once occupied by a resort. Locals and tourists came to the area for vacations and therapeutic visits to the mineral springs flowing out of the natural wells, which were shaded by a wooded pavilion. When the resort closed down shortly before World War I, the original hotel remained and became what is now the eastern portion of Jackson Hall.
According to research by Franklin Springs resident Beth Kidd, the natural springs continued to flow and be enjoyed by EC students and local residents until the 1950s. It was during that time the city diverted the water from springs, causing them to cease flowing, as they developed a new city-wide water system.
Although the springs have been dry since that time, the original pavilion remained as a monument to the glory days of the springs. During the 1990s, Franklin Springs Mayor Brian James, who was then EC Director of Alumni Affairs, headed an effort to rebuild the pavilion and restore the area. Part of the landscaping project included a fountain and stream flowing into a small pool reminiscent of the springs.
The water for the fountain was supplied by a new well. Now, however, Mayor James is excited that the fountain may soon be powered by a real spring.
"It's a monumental thing because this place was completely dry seven or eight years ago to the point that you couldn't find water down here anywhere. For it to becoming out of the ground now is amazing," Mayor James says.
EC plans to partner with the City in order to get the water flow under control before any serious damage is done to the pavilion area.
"It all started out really slow, but I would say that in the last two or three weeks the water has begun to flow at a much faster pace. At first it was not really a big deal to us, but all of a sudden it has become what you see now," Director of Campus Operations Ron McCullar says as he motions toward the soggy ground and rapidly growing mud hole around the pavilion.
"For the time being, students need to use some common sense and not come down here and wade around in it. We are working with the city to resolve the issue and take advantage of the water coming out of the old city wells by diverting it back into the stream that is part of the pavilion's original design. Hopefully, we can get that work started in the next several days as soon as we determine what needs to be done. It shouldn't take more than a couple of weeks to complete the repairs," McCullar adds.
For many involved with the community and the campus, the rejuvenation of the springs symbolizes a great deal about life.
"Many associated with the springs see a real connection between the physical water supplied for the weary traveler and the spiritual implications of a small spot in Georgia where students, community residents and visitors can sense the presence of a Savior who supplies a life with living water which will never run dry," Kidd writes.
No matter what you make of it, the Franklin Springs are flowing again, and it looks like they are here to stay.
http://www.emmanuelcollege.edu/Special/Columns/default.asp
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Another day,
We often crave a return to good old days. More often and more real, are our longings for true, fresh, alive wells of living water. Though we think former forms are preferable, what works best is new life of ancient tradition.
Here is a news story from Sara Ray in "Columns," the Emmanuel College newspaper. Read the report and see what you crave to come alive in your true self. And pray, for the river to flow.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Springs are flowing again
Last October, one of the EC maintenance men made a surprising discovery at the Pavilion. A natural spring has begun flowing out of an old city well, much like mineral springs for which the City of Franklin Springs earned its name. The water from this spring has been steadily flowing for the past four months, and a second spring has been bubbling up as well.
"It really is kind of a miracle that the water started flowing again," observes Franklin Springs City Councilman Charles Powell.
"Getting the water flowing again will be a huge thing for our area. This is tremendous for city pride," he explains.
Although many students do not realize it, Franklin Springs used to be known for more than Emmanuel College. About 100 years ago, the land now owned by EC was once occupied by a resort. Locals and tourists came to the area for vacations and therapeutic visits to the mineral springs flowing out of the natural wells, which were shaded by a wooded pavilion. When the resort closed down shortly before World War I, the original hotel remained and became what is now the eastern portion of Jackson Hall.
According to research by Franklin Springs resident Beth Kidd, the natural springs continued to flow and be enjoyed by EC students and local residents until the 1950s. It was during that time the city diverted the water from springs, causing them to cease flowing, as they developed a new city-wide water system.
Although the springs have been dry since that time, the original pavilion remained as a monument to the glory days of the springs. During the 1990s, Franklin Springs Mayor Brian James, who was then EC Director of Alumni Affairs, headed an effort to rebuild the pavilion and restore the area. Part of the landscaping project included a fountain and stream flowing into a small pool reminiscent of the springs.
The water for the fountain was supplied by a new well. Now, however, Mayor James is excited that the fountain may soon be powered by a real spring.
"It's a monumental thing because this place was completely dry seven or eight years ago to the point that you couldn't find water down here anywhere. For it to becoming out of the ground now is amazing," Mayor James says.
EC plans to partner with the City in order to get the water flow under control before any serious damage is done to the pavilion area.
"It all started out really slow, but I would say that in the last two or three weeks the water has begun to flow at a much faster pace. At first it was not really a big deal to us, but all of a sudden it has become what you see now," Director of Campus Operations Ron McCullar says as he motions toward the soggy ground and rapidly growing mud hole around the pavilion.
"For the time being, students need to use some common sense and not come down here and wade around in it. We are working with the city to resolve the issue and take advantage of the water coming out of the old city wells by diverting it back into the stream that is part of the pavilion's original design. Hopefully, we can get that work started in the next several days as soon as we determine what needs to be done. It shouldn't take more than a couple of weeks to complete the repairs," McCullar adds.
For many involved with the community and the campus, the rejuvenation of the springs symbolizes a great deal about life.
"Many associated with the springs see a real connection between the physical water supplied for the weary traveler and the spiritual implications of a small spot in Georgia where students, community residents and visitors can sense the presence of a Savior who supplies a life with living water which will never run dry," Kidd writes.
No matter what you make of it, the Franklin Springs are flowing again, and it looks like they are here to stay.
http://www.emmanuelcollege.edu/Special/Columns/default.asp
5 Comments:
We pray the springs flow and bring living water better than many years ago there in north GA.
That is really awesome! I think this maybe a huge change for Emmanuel. Already I have seen changes in students attitudes! Did you notice the great change and breaking of bondages in convocation Tuesday? I did and I know I was extremely blessed!
I wish I could see the springs.
Many of the students have been praying for revival and renewal on the EC campus that would spread to the whole town of Franklin Springs. Being known as one of the highest counties for teen pregnancy is not good for any town or county, especially one that has a Christian college in it. Also, Franklin Co. Schools have had some trouble with weapons and drugs coming into the school system. Furthermore, residents faced the rise of a liquor store in the town that would cause no telling what. I hope that the flowing of the Springs represents a new movement of God at EC and in FS. Even though most students leave FS, we are still apart of the town. I hope a revival on campus could spread to the residents of the town and even the whole county or the state. I know that God wants to do something special in this area, he is just waiting for us to get with His program!
The springs flowing are diffently a sign of how God has moved and is contining to move at Emmanuel and throughout the surronding community. God has settled in our midst. Chris, I had a dream after this story that I believe to be from the Lord. Remind me to share it with you!
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