I need to send simple text emails from the linux shell or more specifically, from a database program running under linux (red hat)

I am able to do this with Pine. My setup includes an smtp server and when I enter Pine, I key in the email address and the rest of the commands and everything works ok.
My problem is that I need to automate this with a program and I am unable to data stack the commands, ^X to send, etc.
I tried the -I options and the ^X gets lost.

I also tried "mail".

When I type the command:
mail -s "test subject" jlaruffa@edirect.com < /home/jrl/me

... nothing happens. I guess I don't have smtp setup for "mail".
Is there an option in "mail" to specify the smtp server? Is it a setup in the sendmail config?

Thanks in advance....