Full text of "The Choctaw freedmen and the story of Oak Hill industrial academy, Valliant, McCurtain County, Oklahoma, now called the Alice Lee Elliott memorial; including the early history of the Five civilized tribes of Indian Territory, the presbytery of Kiamichi, synod of Canadian, and the Bible in the free schools of the American colonies, but suppressed in France, previous to the American and French revolutions;"

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THE CHOCTAW FRELDMLN

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AN OAK TREE

On the southeastern slope, near the Academy,

A pretty Oak,

That strong and stalwart grows,
With every changing wind that blows,
is a beautiful emblem of the strength, beauty and eminent use-
fulness of an intelligent and noble man.

"He shall grow like a Cedar in Lebanon; like a tree planted
by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season."

ALICE LEE ELLIOTT
1846-1906

—- 1

THE

Choctaw Freedmen

AND
The Story of

OAK HILL INDUSTRIAL ACADEMY

Valliant, McCurtain County
OKLAHOMA

Now Called the

ALICL LLL LLLIOTT MLMORIAL

Including the early History of the Five Civilized Tribes of Indian Territory

the Presbytery of Kiamichi, Synod of Canadian, and the Bible

in the Free Schools of the American Colonies, but

suppressed in France, previous to the

American and French Revolutions

ROBERT LLLIOTT FLICKINGLR

A Recent Superintendent of the Academy and
Pastor of the Oak Hill Church

ILLU5TRATLD BY 100 LNGRAVING5

Under the Auspices of the

PRLSBYTLRIAN BOARD OF MISSIONS FOR FRLEDMLN

Pittsburgh, Pa.

»/

ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS

IN THE YEAR 1 9 1 4 BY THE AUTHOR

IN THE OFFICE OF THE LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS

AT WASHINGTON. D. C.

#/&

Journal and Times Press, Fonda, Iowa

DEC 26 1914

CI.A391127

-—

TABLL OF CONTLNT5

I. GENERAL FACTS

Introduction— List of Portraits

I Indian Territory 7

II Indian Schools and Churches 15

III The Bible, An Important Factor in Civilization 31

IV The American Negro 39

V Problem of the Freedman 46

VI Voices From the Black Belt 59

VII Uplifting Influences 65

VIII The Presbyterian Church 84

IX The Freedmen's Board 90

X Special Benefactors 96

II OAK HILL INDUSTRIAL ACADEMY

XI Native Oak Hill School and Church 101

XII Era of Eliza Hartford 1° 7

XIII Early Reminiscences 114

XIV Early Times at Forest I 24

XV Era of Supt. James F. McBride 131

XVI Era of Rev. Edward G. Haymaker 134

XVII Buds of Promise I 46

XVIII Closed in 1904 154

XIX Re-Opening and Organization 155

XX Prospectus in 1912 1Q2

XXI Obligation and Pledges 169

XXII Bible Study and Memory Work 173

XXIII Decision Days i83

XXIV The Self -Help Department 185

XXV Industrial Education I 96

XXVI Permanent Improvements 202

XXVII Elliott Hall 210

CONTENTS

XXVIII Unfavorable Circumstances 216

XXIX Building the Temple 227

XXX Success Maxims and Good Suggestions .... 241

XXXI Rules and Wall Mottoes 259

XXXII Savings and Investments 272

XXXIII Normals and Chautauquas 275

XXXIV Graces and Prayers 279

XXXV Presbyterial Meetings and Picnics 282

XXXVI Farmer's Institutes 287

XXXVII The Apiary, Health Hints 294

XXXVIII Oak Hill Aid Society 300

XXXIX Tributes to Workers 308

XL Closing Day, 1912 325

III THE PRESBYTERY AND SYNOD

XLI Presbytery of Kiamichi 335

XLII Histories of Churches 345

XLIII Parson Stewart 351

XLIV Wiley Homer 360

XLV Other Ministers and Elders 370

XLVI Synod of Canadian 382

IV THE BIBLE IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL
XLVII The Public School 391

XLVIII A Half Century of Bible Suppression in

France 418

OAK HILL CHAPEL

[VI]

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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Alice Lee Elliott

Elliott Hall II

Choctaw Church and Court House 14

Alexander Reid, John Edwards 15

Biddle and Lincoln Universities 70

Rev. E. P. Cowan, Rev. John Gaston, Mrs. V. P. Boggs. . 91
Eliza Hartford, Anna Campbell, Rev. E. G. and Pris-

cilla G. Haymaker 108

Girls Hall, Old Log House 109

Carrie and Mrs. M. E. Crowe, Anna and Mattie Hunter. .116

James McGuire and others 117

Wiley Homer, William Butler, Stewart, Jones 148

Buds of Promise 149

Rev. and Mrs. R. E. Flickinger, Claypool, Ahrens, Eaton 160

Reopening, 1915, Flower Gatherers 192

Mary I. Weimer, Lou K. Early, Jo Lu Wolcott 193

Rev. and Mrs. Carroll, Hall, Buchanan, Folsom 224

Closing Day, 1912 ; Dr. Baird 225

Approved Fruits 256

Planting Sweet Potatoes and Arch 257

Orchestra, Sweepers, Going to School 274

Miss Weimer, Celestine, Coming Home 275

The Apiary ; Feeding the Calves 294

Log House Burning, Pulling Stumps 298

Oak Hill in 1902, 1903 299

The Hen House, Pigpen 295

The Presbytery, Grant Chapel 352

Bridges, Bethel, Starks, Meadows, Colbert, Crabtree 353

Crittenden, Folsom, Butler, Stewart, Perkins, Arnold,

Shoals, Johnson 378

Teachers in 1899, Harris, Brown 379

Representative Homes of the Choctaw Freedmen 406

The Sweet Potato Field 407

VII

INTRODUCTION

"The pleasant books, that silently among

Our household treasures take familiar places,

Are to us, as if a living tongue

Spake from the printed leaves, or pictured faces!"

;HE aim of the Author in preparing this vol-
ume has been to put in a form, convenient
for preservation and future reference, a
brief historical sketch of the work and
workers connected with the founding and
development of Oak Hill Industrial Academy, established
for the benefit of the Freedmen of the Choctaw Nation, In-
dian Territory, by the Presbyterian church, U. S. A., in
1886, when Miss Eliza Hartford became the first white
teacher, to the erection of Elliott Hall in 1910, and its dedi-
cation in 1912; when the name of the institution was
changed to "The Alice Lee Elliott Memorial."

Some who rendered service at Oak Hill Academy, be-
stowed upon it their best work, while superintendent,
James F. McBride and Matron, Adelia M. Eaton, brought to
it a faithful service, that proved to be the crowning work
of their lives.

The occasion of receiving a new name in 1912, is one
that suggests the eminent propriety of a volume, that w£U
commemorate the labors of those, whose self-denying pio-
neer work was associated with the former name of the in-
stitution.

2 INTRODUCTION

Another aim has been, to place as much as possible of
the character building work of the institution, in an attrac-
tive form for profitable perusal by the youth, in the homes
of the pupils and patrons of the Academy. As an aid in ef-
fecting this result, the volume has been profusely illustrated
with engravings of all the good photographs of groups of
the students that have come to the hand of the author ; and
also of all the teachers of whom they could be obtained at
this time. The portraits of the ministers and older elders of
the neighboring churches have been added to these, to in-
crease its general interest and value.

In as much as Oak Hill Industrial Academy was in-
tended to supply the special educational needs of the young
people in the circuit of churches ministered to by Parson
Charles W. Stewart, the pioneer preacher of the Choctaw
Freedmen, and faithful founder of most of the churches in
the Presbytery of Kiamichi, a memorial sketch of this
worthy soldier of the cross has been added, that the young
people of the present and future generations may catch the
inspiration of his heroic missionary spirit.

"All who labor wield a mighty power ;
The glorious privilege to do
Is man's most noble dower."

The ministers of the neighboring churches, in recent
years, have been so helpfully identified with the work of the
Academy, as special lecturers and assistants on decision
days, and on the first and last days of the school terms, they
seem to have been members of the Oak Hill Family. The
story of the Academy would not be complete, without a rec-
ognition of them and their good work. This recognition has
been very gratefully accorded in a brief history of the Pres-
bytery of Kiamichi and of the Synod of Canadian.

AIM OF AUTHOR 3

The period of service rendered by the author, as su-
perintendent of the Academy from the beginning of 1905 to
the end of 1912, eight years, was one of important transi-
tions in the material development of Indian Territory.

The allotment of lands in severalty to the Indians and
Freedmen was completed in 1905, and the Territorial gov-
ernment was transformed into one of statehood on Jan. 1,
1908. The progress of their civilization, that made it pos-
sible for the Indians in the Territory to become owners and
occupants of their own homes, supporters of their own
schools and churches and to be invested with all the pow-
ers and duties of citizenship, is briefly reviewed in the in-
troductory chapters.

The author has endeavored to make this volume one
easily read and understood by the Choctaw Freedmen, in
whose homes it is expected to find a place, and be read with
interest and profit many years.

He has done what he could to enable as many of you
as possible to leave the impress of your personality on the
world, when your feet no longer move, your hands no long-
er build and your lips no longer utter your sentiments.

The hope is indulged that every pupil of the Academy,
whose portrait has been given an historic setting in this vol-
ume, will regard that courteous recognition, as a special
call to make the Bible your guide in life and perform each
daily duty nobly and faithfully, as though it were your last.

A life on service bent,
A life for love laid down,
A life for others spent,
The Lord will surely crown.

Whilst other denominations have rendered conspicu-
ous and highly commendable service in the effort to edu-

4 INTRODUCTION

cate and evangelize the Indians and Freedmen, in this vol-
ume mention is made only of the work of the Presbyterian
church. This is due to the fact the Presbyterian church,
having begun missionary work among the Choctaws at a
very early date, it was left to pursue it without a rival, in
the particular section of country and early period of time in-
cluded in the scope of this volume.

Such as it is, this volume is commended to him, whose
blessing alone can make it useful, and make it to fulfil its
mission of comfort and encouragement, to the children and
youth of the Freedmen who are sincerely endeavoring to
solve the problem of their present and future destiny.
Fonda, Iowa, March 15, 1914. R. E. F.

PART I

GENERAL FACTS

RELATING TO THE INDIANS OF INDIAN TERRITORY, THE
CHOCTAW FREEDMEN AND PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF
MISSIONS FOR FREEDMEN.

"In history we meet the great personalities, who have
crystalized in their own lives, the hopes and fears of nations
and races. We meet the living God, as an actor, and dis-
cover in passing events, a consistent purpose, guiding the
changing world to an unchanging end."— W. A. Brown.

"Four things a man must learn to do,
If he would make his record true;
To think without confusion, clearly;
To act from honest motives purely;
To love his fellowmen sincerely;
To trust in God and heaven securely."

—Vandyke.

"The study of history, as a means of cultivating the
mind and for its immediate practical benefit, ever since the
days of Moses, who wrote the pioneer history of Israel, and
Herodotus, the father of profane history, has formed a
necessary part of a liberal and thorough education."— History
of Pocahontas County, Iowa.

I
INDIAN TERRITORY

EARLY HISTORY OF THE FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES— OPEN-
ING OF INDIAN TERRITORY — OKLAHOMA — CLEAR
CREEK, OAK HILL, VALLIANT.

"Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth its
powers, build up its institutions, promote all its great inter-
ests and see whether we, also, in our day and generation
may not perform something worthy to be remembered." —
Daniel Webster.

NDIAN Territory, now Oklahoma, was a part
of the public domain, that was reserved for
several tribes of Indians whose native hunt-
ing grounds were principally in the South-
ern states. While they remained in their
native valleys they proved a menace to the safety of the
frontier settlers, and in times of war were sure to take sides
against them. Thomas Jefferson in his day advised that
they be located together on some general reservation. This
was gradually effected during the earlier years of the last
century.

The official act of congress constituting it an Indian
Reservation did not occur until 1834, but a considerable
number of the Choctaws, Chickasaws and of some other
tribes were induced to migrate westward and locate there
previous to that date. Other leading tribes that were trans-
ferred to special reservations in Indian Territory were the
Cherokees, Creeks and Seminoles.

THE FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES
The Choctaw Indians recently occupied lands in the

8 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

states bordering on the Gulf of Mexico. In 1820 a consider-
able part of them, ceding their lands in Georgia, were lo-
cated on a reservation in the Red River valley west of Ar-
kansas. In 1830 they ceded the remainder of their lands in
Alabama and Mississippi and all, together with their slaves,
were then transferred to their new reservation in the south-
eastern part of Indian Territory.

The Chickasaws, who originally occupied the country
on the east side of the Mississippi river, as early as 1800
began to migrate up the valley of the Arkansas. In 1805,
1816 and in 1818 they ceded more of their lands and more
of them migrated westward, many of them going to the
countiy allotted to the Choctaws. In 1834, when the last
of their lands in the Gulf states were ceded, they were lo-
cated on a reservation south of the Canadian river, west of
the Choctaws. These two tribes lived under one tribal gov-
ernment until 1855, when they were granted a political sep-
aration.

The Cherokees, previous to 1830, occupied the upper
valley of the Tennessee river, extending through the north-
ern parts of Georgia and Alabama. In 1790 a part of the
tribe migrated to Louisiana and they rendered important
services in the army of Gen. Jackson at New Orleans in the
war of 1812.

In 1817 they ceded a part of their native lands for
others and the next year 3,000 of them were located in the
northwestern part of Arkansas in the valleys of the Arkan-
sas and White rivers. In 1835 the remainder of them were
located just west of the first migration in the northeast part
of Indian Territory.

The Creek Indians originally lived in the valleys of the
Flint, Chattahoochee, Coosa and Alabama rivers and in the

INDIAN TERRITORY 9

peninsula of Florida. About the year 1875, a part of them
moved to Louisiana and later to Texas. In 1836 the re-
mainder of the tribe was transferred to a reservation north
of the Canadian river in Indian Territory.

The Seminoles were a nation of Florida Indians, that
was composed chiefly of Creeks and the remnants of some
other tribes. After the acquisition of Florida from Spain
in 1819 many slaves in that section fled from their masters
to the Seminoles. The government endeavored to recover
them and to force the Seminoles to remove westward. These
efforts were not immediately successful, Osceola, their wily
and intrepid chief, defeating and capturing four of the gen-
erals sent against them, namely, Clinch, Gaines, Call and
Winfield Scott. He was finally captured by his captors violat-
ing a flag of truce. In 1845 they were induced to move west
of the Mississippi and in 1856, they were assigned lands
west of the Creeks in the central part of Indian Territory.

These five tribes, the Choctaws, Chickasaws, Chero-
kees, Creeks and Seminoles, were the most powerful in num-
bers. After their settlement in Indian Territory, they made
considerable progress in elementary education and agri-
culture, their farm work being principally done by their
slaves previous to the time they were accorded their free-
dom in 1865. As a result of their progress in the arts of
life, during the last half of the last century, these were
often called "The Five Civilized Tribes, or Nations."

In 1900 when the last census was taken of them in their
tribal form their numbers were as follows : Choctaw nation,
99,681; Chickasaw, 139,260; Cherokee, 101,754; Creek,
40,674 ; Seminole, 3,786.

The Osage Indians were early driven to the valley of the
Arkansas river. They were conveyed to their reservation

10 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

west of that river, in the north part of Indian Territory, in
1870. The supplies of oil and other minerals found upon
their reservation have caused some of the members of this
nation to be reputed as quite wealthy.

Other tribes that were located on small reservations
in the northeast part of the Territory were the Modocs, Ot-
tawas, Peorias, Quapaws, Senecas, Shawnees and Wyandot-
tes.

During this early period the Union Indian agency es-
tablished its headquarters at Muskogee, and it became and
continued to be their principal city, during the period of
their tribal government.

OPENING OF INDIAN TERRITORY
On April 22, 1889, 2,000,000 acres of the Creek and
Seminole lands were opened to white settlers, and there oc-
curred an ever memorable rush for lands and a race for
homes. An area as large as the state of Maryland was
settled in a day. On that first day the city of Guthrie was
founded with a population of 8,000, a newspaper was issued
and in a tent a bank was organized with a capital of $50,000.
Oklahoma and other cities sprang up as if in a night.

On June 6, 1890, the west half of Indian Territory was
created a new territory, called Oklahoma, with its capital at
Guthrie, and with later additions it soon included 24,000,000
acres.

On June 16, 1906, President Roosevelt signed the en-
abling act, that admitted Oklahoma, including Oklahoma
and Indian Territories, as a state, one year from that date.
On November 6, 1906, occurred the election of members to
the constitutional convention, that met at Guthrie January
1, 1907. The first legislature met there January 1, 1908.
Two years later the capital was moved to Oklahoma City.

INDIAN TERRITORY 11

The growth, progress and advancement of the territory
of Oklahoma during the sixteen years preceding statehood
in 1907 has never been equaled in the history of the world,
and in all probability will never be eclipsed. This was due
to the mild and healthful climate of this region, and a pre-
vious knowledge of its great, but undeveloped agricultural
and mineral resources. So great has been the flow of oil
near Tulsa, in the north central part of the state, it has been
necessary to store it there in an artificial lake or reservoir.

OKLAHOMA

The surface of Oklahoma consists of a gently undulat-
ing plain, that gradually ascends from an altitude of 511
feet at Valliant in the southeast to 1197 feet at Oklahoma
City, and 1893 at Woodward, the county seat of Woodward
county, in the northwest. The principal mountains are the
Kiamichi in the southern part of Laflore county, and the
Wichita, a forest reserve in Comanche and Swanson coun-
ties.

Previous to statehood Indian Territory was divided in-
to 31 recording districts for court purposes. In 1902 when
Garvin was founded it became the residence of the judge of
the southeastern judicial or recording district, and a small
court house was built there for the transaction of the pub-
lic business. In 1907, when McCurtain county was estab-
lished, Idabel was chosen as the county seat. The location
of Oak Hill Academy proved to be one and a half miles east
of the west line of McCurtain county. In 1910 the popula-
tion of McCurtain county was 20,681, of Oklahoma City
64,205 ; and of the state of Oklahoma, 1,657,155.

CLEAR CREEK

During the period immediately preceding the incoming
of the Hope and Ardmore Railroad in 1902, the most im-

12 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

portant news and trading center, between Fort Towson and
Wheelock, was called "Clear Creek." Clear Creek is a rust-
ling, sparkling little stream of clear water that flows south-
ward in a section of the country where most of the streams
are sluggish and of a reddish hue. The Clear Creek post
office was located in a little store building a short distance
east of this stream and about three miles north of Red
river.

A little log court house, for the administration of tri-
bal justice among the Choctaws of that vicinity, a black-
smith shop and a Choctaw church were also located at this
place. These varied interests gave to Clear Creek the im-
portance of a miniature county seat until Valliant and Swink
were founded.

OAK HILL

During this early period the oak covered ridge, extend-
ing several miles east of Clear Creek, was known as Oak
Hill and the settlement in its vicinity was called by the
same name.

When the first church (1869) and school (1876) were
established among the Freedmen in this settlement, the
same name was naturally given to both of them. It has
adhered to them, amid all the changes that have occurred,
since the first meetings were held at the home of Henry
Crittenden in 1868.

VALLIANT

Valliant was founded in 1902, and was so named in
honor of one of the surveyors of the Hope and Ardmore, a
branch of the Frisco railway. It is located in the west end
of McCurtain county eight miles north of Red river. It has
now a population of 1,000 and a branch railroad running
northward.

INDIAN TERRITORY 13

The country adjacent to the town consists of beautiful
valleys and forests heavily set with timber, principally oak ;
walnut, ash and hickory, and with pine and cedar along the
streams. The soil is a rich sandy loam, that is easily culti-
vated and gives promise of great agricultural and horticul-
tural possibilities. It is in the center of the cotton belt and
this staple is proving a very profitable one. The climate is
healthful and the locality is unusually free from the prev-
alence of high winds.

II
INDIAN SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES

BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR.— EFFECTS OF THE CIVIL WAR.—
TRANSFER OF THE FREEDMEN'S WORK.— THE INDIANS
MAKE PROGRESS TOWARD CIVILIZATION.— WHEELOCK
ACADEMY. — SPENCER ACADEMY. — DOAKSVILLE AND
FORT TOWSON.

"God, who hath made of one blood all nations of men
and determined the bounds of their habitation, commandeth
all men everywhere to repent." — Paul.

l^^x^^J^HEN Columbus landed on the shores of
\a/ ™ America, the Indians were the only people

he found occupying this great continent.
During the long period that has intervened,
the Indian has furnished proof, that he pos-
sesses all the attributes which God has bestowed upon other
members of the human family. He has shown that he has
an intellect capable of development, that he is willing to re-
ceive instruction and that he is capable of performing any
duty required of an American citizen.

Considerable patience however has had to be exercised
both by the church in its effort to bring him under the sav-
ing influence of the gospel, and by the government in its
effort to elevate him to the full standard of citizenship. Re-
sults are achieved slowly. His struggles have been many
and difficult. He has needed counsel and encouragement at
every advancing step.

In the former days, when the Indian supported his fam-
ily by hunting, trapping and fishing, he moved about from

16 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

place to place. This was finally checked in Indian Territory
by the individual allotment of lands in 1904. He has thus
been compelled by the force of circumstances, to change his
mode of life. He has gradually discovered he can settle
down on his own farm, improve it by the erection of good
buildings, and either buy or make the implements he needs
for cultivating the soil.

The great commission to the church to "go into all the
world and preach the gospel to every creature," will not
be completed until the American Indian and the Freed-

men, who were his former slaves, have been brought under

its uplifting influence.

The Presbyterian church throughout all its history has
been the friend and patron of learning and inasmuch as the
evangelistic work among the Indians and Freedmen, has
been largely dependent on school work for permanent re-
sults, it began to establish schools among the Indians at a
very early date. The work among the five civilized tribes
was begun many years before they were transported from
the southern states to Indian Territory. Some of these
missionaries migrated with them and continued both their
school and church work in the Territory. Rev. Alfred
Wright, who organized the Presbyterian church at Wheel-
ock in December, 1832, and died there in 1853, after receiv-
ing 570 members into it, began his work as a missionary to
the Choctaws in 1820.

The aim of the government in its educational work
among the Indians, as elsewhere in the public schools of the
country, has been mainly to make them intelligent citizens.
The aim of the church, by making the Bible a daily textbook,
is to make them happy and hopeful Christians, as well as
citizens. In the early days there was great need for this

INDIAN SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES 17

educational work, and in the Presbyterian church it was
carried forward by its foreign mission board, with wisdom,
energy and success.

In 1861 the Presbyterian church had established and
was maintaining six boarding schools with 800 pupils and
six day schools among the Indians in the Territory. Two
of these schools, Spencer and Wheelock Academies, were
located in the southern part of the Choctaw Nation.

In 1840 the Presbytery of Indian was organized and in
1848 the Presbytery of the Creek Nation. In 1861 these
included an enrollment of 16 churches with a communicant
membership of 1,772.

EFFECTS OF THE CIVIL WAR

At the outbreak of the civil war in 1861, all of these
schools and churches were closed, and the next year the
Presbyterian church became divided by the organization
of the Southern Presbyterian church, under the corporate
name, "The Presbyterian Church in the United States."

At the close of the war it was left to the Southern
branch of the church to re-establish this school and church
work in the Territory. It undertook to do this and carried
parts of it alone for a number of years. The task however
proved to be too great ; the men and means were not avail-
able to re-open the boarding schools, and to supply the
churches with ministers. The arrangement was according-
ly made for the foreign mission board of the Presbyterian
church, to resume its former work as fast as workers could
be obtained.

In 1879, four ministers returned and opened six
churches among the Choctaws, Creeks and Cherokees.

In 1882 Spencer Academy was re-opened at Nelson, by
Rev. Oliver P. Starks, a native of Goshen, New York, who,

18 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

for seventeen years previous to the Civil War, had been a
missionary to the Choctaws, having his home at Goodland.

The Indian Mission school at Muskogee was also re-
opened that year by Miss Rose Steed.

In the fall of 1883 the Presbytery of Indian Territory
was re-established with a membership of 16 ministers, 11
churches, 385 communicants and 676 Sunday school schol-
ars.

In 1884 Wheelock Academy was re-opened by Rev.
John Edwards, who for a couple of years previous, had been
located at Atoka. This was a return of Edwards to the
educational work among the Choctaws. From 1851 to 1853
he served at Spencer Academy, north of Doaksville,
and then from 1853 to 1861 had charge of Wheelock Acad-
emy, as the successor of Rev. Alfred Wright, its early found-
er.

In 1883 two teachers were sent, who opened a school
among the Creek Freedmen at Muskogee, known as the
"Pittsburgh Mission." A teacher was also sent to the Freed-
men among the Seminoles.

After a few years the Pittsburgh Mission was transfer-
red from Muskogee to Atoka, where it supplied a real want
for a few years longer. In 1904 when adequate provision was
first made for the Freedmen in the public schools of that
town this mission was discontinued.

TRANSFER OF THE FREEDMEN'S WORK
During this same year, 1884, the Presbyterian Board of
Missions for Freedmen, Pittsburgh, Pa., received the volun-
tary transfer from the Southern church of all the work it
had developed at that date among the Choctaw Freedmen.
This transfer was made in good spirit. The motive that
prompted it was the conviction and belief the Presbyterian

INDIAN SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES 19

church could carry it forward more conveniently, aggres-
sively and successfully.

The work that was transferred at this date consisted
of Rev. Charles W. Stewart, Doaksville, and the following
churches then under his pastoral care, namely: Oak Hill,
Beaver Dam, Hebron, New Hope and St. Paul (Eagletown) .

Parson Stewart had been licensed about 1867 and or-
dained a few years later. With a true missionary spirit he
had gone into these various settlements and effected the or-
ganization of these churches among his people. During
the next two years he added to his circuit two more church-
es, Mount Gilead at Lukf ata and Forest, south of Wheelock,
and occasionally visited one or two other places.

INDIANS MAKE PROGRESS TOWARDS CIVILIZATION

About the year 1880 the social and moral condition of

the Indians in Indian Territory was described as follows:

"About thirty different languages are spoken by the
Indians now in the territory. The population of the terri-
tory, though principally Indians, includes a lot of white
men and negroes, amongst whom intermarriages are fre-
quent. The society ranges from an untutored Indian, with
a blanket for his dress and paganism for his religion, to men
of collegiate education, who are manifesting their christian
culture and training by their earnest advocacy of the chris-
tian faith.

"The Cherokees were the first to be brought under
direct christian influence and they were probably in the
lead of all the Indians on the continent in civilization, or
practice of the useful arts and enjoyment of the common
comforts of life."

"In 1890, the year following the opening of the first
land in the territory to white settlers, the mission work in
the territory was described as "very interesting and unique."
The Indian population represented every grade of civiliza-
tion. One might see the several stages of progress from the
ignorant and superstitious blanketed Indian on the western
reservations to the representatives of our advanced Amer-
ican culture among the five civilized nations. Our mission-

20 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

aries have labored long and successfully and the education,
degree of civilization and prosperity enjoyed by the In-
dians are due principally, if not solely, to the efforts of con-
secrated men and women, who devoted their lives to this
special work. Although their names may not be familiarly
known among the churches, none have deserved more hon-
orable mention than these faithful servants of the Master,
who selected this particular field of effort for their life work.

"Events are moving rapidly in Indian Territory. Many
new lines of railroad have been surveyed, and when they
have been built, every part of the Territory will be easily
accessible.

"A new judicial system with a complete code of laws
has recently been provided, and with liberal provision for
Indian citizenship and settlement of the land question it is
safe to predict a speedy end to tribal government.

"This means the opening of a vast region to settlement,
the establishment of churches and the thorough organiza-
tion of every form of christian work. For this we must pre-
pare and there is no time to lose. Our churches and schools
must be multiplied and our brethren of the ministry must be
fully reinforced by competent educated men trained for
christian work. What the future has in store for the whole
Territory was illustrated by the marvelous rush into and
settlement of Oklahoma Territory during the last year.

"A wonderful transformation has taken place. The
unbroken prairie of one year ago has been changed to cul-
tivated fields. The tents of boomers have given place to well
built homes and substantial blocks of brick and stone. Un-
organized communities have now become members of a leg-
ally constituted commonwealth. Here are found all the ele-
ments of great progress and general prosperity and the fu-
ture of Oklahoma Territory is full of great promise.

"Here the Presbyterian church has shown itself cap-
able of wrestling with critical social problems and stands
today as the leading denomination in missionary enterprise.
Every county has its minister and many churches have been
organized. Others are underway. With more ministers
and liberal aid for the erection of churches the Presbyterian
church will do for Oklahoma what it has done for Kansas
and the Dakotas."

In 1886 the mission school work among the Indians
was transferred from the care of the foreign to the home

INDIAN SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES 21

mission board. Those in charge of the school work of Spen-
cer Academy at Nelson resigned that work and the school
was closed.

In 1895 the Mission school work at Wheelock Acade-
my was undertaken and continued thereafter by the Indian
Agency, as a school for orphan children of the Indians.

WHEELOCK ACADEMY

Wheelock Academy for nearly four-score years was the
most attractive social, educational and religious center in
the southeast part of the Choctaw nation. It was located
on the main trails running east and west and north and
south. But when the Frisco railway came in 1902, it passed
two miles south of it, and a half dozen flourishing towns
were founded along its line.

There remain to mark this place of early historic in-
terest the two mission school buildings, a strongly built
stone church 30 by 50 feet, a two story parsonage and cem-
etery. The church is of the Gothic style of architecture,
tastefully decorated inside and furnished with good pews
and pulpit furniture.

REV. ALFRED WRIGHT
Among the many old inscriptions on the grave stones
in the Wheelock cemetery, there may be seen the following
beautiful record of the work of one, whose long and emi-
nently useful life was devoted to the welfare of the Choctaw
people :

22 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

SACRED

to the memory of the

REV. ALFRED WRIGHT

who entered into his heavenly rest

March 31, 1853, age 65 years.

Born in Columbia, Connecticut, March 1, 1788.

Appointed Missionary to the Choctaws 1820.

Removed to this land October, 1832.

Organized Wheelock Church December, 1832.

Received to its fellowship 570 members.

AS A MAN

he was intelligent, firm in principle,

prudent in counsel, gentle in spirit,

kindness and gravity,

and conscientious in the discharge of every

relative and social duty.

AS A CHRISTIAN

he was uniform, constant, strong in faith,

and in doctrine, constant and fervent in prayer,

holy in life, filled with the spirit of Christ

and peaceful in death.

AS A PHYSICIAN

he was skillful, attentive, ever ready to relieve

and comfort the afflicted.

AS A TRANSLATOR

he was patient, investigating and diligent,

giving to the Choctaws in their own tongue the

New and part of the Old Testament,

and various other books.

AS A MINISTER

his preaching was scriptural, earnest, practical,

and rich in the full exhibition of Gospel truth.

He was laborious, faithful and successful.

Communion with God, faith in the Lord Jesus,

and reliance upon the aid of the Holy Spirit,

made all his labor sweet to his own soul

and a blessing to others.

In testimony of his worth, and their affection,

his mourning friends erect this

Tablet to his Memory.

"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people

of God."

REV. JOHN EDWARDS
Rev. John Edwards, the successor of Rev. Alfred
Wright, was a native of Bath, New York. He graduated
from the college at Princeton, New Jersey, in 1848, and
from the theological seminary there in 1851. He was or-
dained by the Presbytery of Indian Territory December 11,
1853.

The Choctaw Church, Clear Creek.

The Choctaw Court House, Clear Creek.

Both buildings ceased to be used about 1899.

5 -

f-H

i—i

C
4>

INDIAN SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES 23

He became a teacher at Spencer Academy, north of
Fort Towson, in 1851, and continued until 1853, when he
became the successor of Rev. Alfred Wright as the stated
supply of the Choctaw church and superintendent of the
academy at Wheelock. At the outbreak of the Civil War in
1861 he passed to California and after teaching two years in
San Francisco, served as stated supply of various churches
during the next twenty years, having his residence during
the latter part of that period at Oakland.

In 1882 he returned and resumed work among the
Choctaws, locating first at Atoka. In 1884 he re-opened the
academy at Wheelock, and continued to serve as its super-
intendent until 1895, when it became a government school.
He remained the next year in charge of the church. He
then returned to California and died at San Jose, at 75,
December 18, 1903.

In 1897, Rev. Evan B. Evans, supplied the Choctaw
church at Wheelock one year. As its membership of 60 con-
sisted principally of students living at a distance, and they
were absent most of the year, the services were then discon-
tinued. A few years later the services were resumed at the
town of Garvin, where another stone church was built in
1910, during the efficient ministry of Rev. W. J. Willis.

SPENCER ACADEMY

Rev. Alexander Reid, principal of Spencer Academy,
was a native of Scotland, and came to this country in his
boyhood. He graduated from the college at Princeton, N. J.,
in 1845, and the theological seminary there, three years
later. He was ordained by the Presbytery of New York in
1849 and accepting a commission to serve as a missionary to
the Indians of the Choctaw Nation in Indian Territory, was

24 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

immediately appointed superintendent of Spencer Academy,
ten miles north of Fort Towson.

He was accompanied by Rev. Alexander J. Graham, a
native of Newark, New Jersey, who served as a teach-
er in the academy. The latter was a roommate of Reid's at
Princeton seminary, and his sister became Reid's wife. At
the end of his first year of service he returned to Lebanon
Springs, New York, for the recovery of his health, and died
there July 23, 1850. Rev. John Edwards immediately be-
came his successor as a teacher.

Alexander Reid while pursuing his studies, learned the
tailor's trade at West Point and this proved a favorable in-
troduction to his work among the Choctaws. They were
surprised and greatly pleased on seeing that he had al-
ready learned the art of sitting on the ground "tailor fash-
ion" according to their own custom.

The academy under Reid enjoyed a prosperous career
of twelve years. In 1861, when the excitement of war ab-
sorbed the attention of everybody, the school work was
abandoned. Reid, however, continued to serve as a gospel
missionary among the Indians until 1869, when he took his
family to Princeton, New Jersey, to provide for the educa-
tion of his children.

While ministering to the spiritual needs of the Indians
his sympathies and interest were awakened by the destitute
and helpless condition of their former slaves. In 1878 he
resumed work as a missionary to the Choctaws making his
headquarters at or near Atoka and in 1882 he was appoint-
ed by the Foreign Mission Board, superintendent of mis-
sion work among the Freedmen in Indian Territory. In this
capacity he aided in establishing neighborhood schools
wherever teachers could be found. In order that a number

INDIAN SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES 25

of them might be fitted for teaching, he obtained permission
of their parents to take a number of bright looking and
promising young people to boarding schools, maintained by
our Freedmen's Board in Texas, Mississippi and North Caro-
lina. He thus became instrumental in preparing the way,
and advised the development of the native Oak Hill School
into an industrial and normal boarding school.

In 1884, owing to failing health, he went to the home of
his son, Rev. John G. Reid (born at Spencer Academy in
1854), at Greeley, Colorado, and died at 72 at Cambridge-
port, near Boston, July 30, 1890.

"He was a friend to truth, of soul sincere, of manners
unaffected and of mind enlarged, he wished the good of all
mankind."

UNCLE WALLACE AND AUNT MINERVA
Uncle Wallace and Aunt Minerva were two of the col-
ored workers that were employed at Spencer Academy, be-
fore the war. They lived together in a little cabin near it.
In the summer evenings they would often sit at the door of
the cabin and sing their favorite plantation songs, learned
in Mississippi in their early youth.

In 1871, when the Jubilee singers first visited Newark,
New Jersey, Rev. Alexander Reid happened to be there and
heard them. The work of the Jubilee singers was new in
the North and attracted considerable and very favorable at-
tention. But when Prof. White, who had charge of them,
announced several concerts to be given in different churches
of the city he added,

"We will have to repeat the Jubilee songs as we have
no other."

When Mr. Reid was asked how he liked them he re-
marked,

26 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

"Very well, but I have heard better ones."
When he had committed to writing a half dozen of the
plantation songs he had heard "Wallace and Minerva" sing
with so much delight at old Spencer Academy, he met Mr.
White and his company in Brooklyn, New York, and spent
an entire day rehearsing them. These new songs included,

"Steal away to Jesus."

"The Angels are Coming,"

"I'm a Rolling," and "Swing Low."

"Steal Away to Jesus" became very popular and was
sung before Queen Victoria.

The Hutchinson family later used several of them in
their concerts, rendering "I'm a Rolling," with a trumpet
accompaniment to the words:

"The trumpet sounds in my soul,

I haint got long to stay here."
These songs have now been sung around the world.

When one thinks of the two old slaves singing happily
together at the door of their humble cabin, amid the dreary
solitudes of Indian Territory, and the widely extended re-
sults that followed, he cannot help perceiving in these inci-
dents a practical illustration of the way in which our Heav-
enly Father uses "things that are weak," for the accom-
plishment of his gracious purposes. They also serve to
show how little we know of the future use God will make
of the lowly service any of us may now be rendering.

These two slaves giving expression to their devotional
feelings in simple native songs, unconsciously exerted a
happy influence, that was felt even in distant lands; an in-
fluence that served to attract attention and financial sup-
port to an important institution, established for the educa-
tion of the Freedmen.

INDIAN SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES 27

NEW SPENCER ACADEMY

In the fall of 1881 the Presbyterian Board of Foreign
Missions re-established Spencer Academy in a new location
where the postoffice was called, Nelson, ten miles south-
west of Antlers and twenty miles west of old Spencer, now
called Spencerville.

Rev. Oliver P. Stark, the first superintendent of this in-
stitution, died there at the age of 61, March 2, 1884. He was
a native of Goshen, New York, and a graduate of the col-
lege and Theological Seminary at Princeton, N. J. In 1851,
he was ordained by the Presbytery of Indian which, as early
as 1840, had been organized to include the missions of the
American Board.

As early as 1849, while he was yet a licentiate, he was
commissioned as a missionary to the Choctaws, and, locat-
ing at Goodland, remained in charge of the work in that
section until 1866, a period of seventeen years. During the
next thirteen years he served as principal of the Lamar Fe-
male Seminary at Paris, Texas. His next and last work
was the development of the mission school for the Choctaws
at Nelson, which had formed a part of his early and long
pastorate.

Rev. Harvey R. Schermerhorn, became the immediate
successor of Mr. Stark as superintendent of the new Spencer
Academy and continued to serve in that capacity until 1890,
when the mission work among the Indians was transferred
from the Foreign to the care of the Home Mission Board.
The school was then discontinued and he became pastor of
the Presbyterian church at Macalester. After a long and
very useful career he is now living in retirement at Harts-
horne.

These incidents, relating to the work of the Presbyter-

28 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

ian church among the Indians, especially the Choctaws,
have been narrated, because the men who had charge of
these two educational institutions at Wheelock and Spen-
cer Academies, were very helpful in effecting the organiz-
ation of Presbyterian churches, the establishment of Oak
Hill Academy and a number of neighborhood schools
among the Freedmen in the south part of the Choctaw Na-
tion.

DOAKSVILLE AND FORT TOWSON

Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury, an early Presbyterian mission-
ary to the Choctaws, was located at Doaksville near old
Fort Towson. He secured the erection of an ample church
building and rendered many years of faithful service. He
died and was buried in the cemetery at that place in 1870.

Doaksville, though no longer entitled to a place on the
map, is the name of an important pioneer Indian village.
Here the once proud and powerful Choctaws established
themselves during the later twenties, and were regarded
as happy and prosperous before the Civil War.

Fort Towson was built by the government to protect
them from incursions on the part of the wild Kiowas and
Comanches, who still roamed over the plains of Texas. The
name of Ulyses S. Grant was associated with it just before
the Mexican war. The generous hospitality of Col. Gar-
land, who died there after a long period of service, is still
gratefully remembered.

During its most prosperous days, which were long be-
fore the Civil War, a considerable number of aristocratic
Choctaws, claiming large plantations in the neighboring val-
leys, dwelt there near each other. Some were men of cul-
ture and university education, while others were ignorant
and superstitious. Some had previously enjoyed the ac-

INDIAN SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES 29

quaintance and friendship of Andrew Jackson and Zachary
Taylor, and greatly appreciated the privilege of manifest-
ing their chivalrous spirit. Berthlett's store, now used as
a stable, was a noted trading establishment and place of so-
cial resort. Its owner was a native of Canada, who had
come to live among the Choctaws.

While living in this beautiful country, where they were
paternally protected from poverty at home and the en-
croachments of enemies abroad it has been said they were
so addicted to private quarrels and fatal combats, that
there was scarcely a Choctaw family that did not have its
tragedy of blood. These fatal tribal feuds, however, seldom
occurred except on gala days, and the preparations therefor
included a supply of "fire-water."

The old Doaksville cemetery occupies the slope of a
hillside near a little stream skirted with timber. Some of
the leading pioneers of the Choctaw nation were buried
here. The marble tablets that mark their graves were
brought by steam boat from New Orleans, up the Mississip-
pi and Red rivers to a landing four miles south. Some of
the graves are walled and covered with a marble slab, while
others are marked by the erection over them of oddly shap-
ed little houses. In the early days, the full-bloods were in
the habit of burying with the body some favorite trinket
or article of personal adornment. Many of the grave stones
attest the fact that the deceased while living enjoyed a
good hope of a blessed immortality through our Lord Jesus
Christ.

Ill

THE BIBLE AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN
CIVILIZATION AND EDUCATION

THE BIBLE A POWER IN THE FORMATION OF CHARACTER.
—THE ARCHITECT GREATER THAN THE CATHEDRAL.—
THE BIBLE THE BASIS OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC
SCHOOL SYSTEM.— VALLEY OF DIAMONDS.— IMPORT-
ANCE OF CHRISTIAN TEACHERS.

"From a child thou hast known the HOLY SCRIP-
TURES, which are able to make thee Wise unto Salvation."

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for instruction ; That the man of God may be per-
fect thoroughly furnished unto all good works." — Paul

\^^^^/f HILST our religious educational institutions
V \ a J HI where unsectarian instruction in the Bible
is fundamental, have been producing good
results of the highest order, those educa-
tional institutions where only secular in-
struction is given, have been contributing a very small pro-
portion of the world's consecrated moral leaders. Of 1,600
home missionaries, 1,503 received their training in Chris-
tion educational institutions. Of 600 foreign missionaries,
551 received their training in Christian educational insti-
tutions.

It is not correct to say that one standard of education
is as good as another. Fourteen American colleges, recent-
ly established in China by the Christian Missionaries,
though only meagerly equipped, but manned by those of un-

32 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

questioned Christian character, and teaching the plain sav-
ing truths of the Bible, have become educational centers,
from which have gone out the leaders in a peaceful revolu-
tion that occurred there in 1912, that have brought the boon
of civil and religious liberty to one-fourth of the population
of the world. Under the beneficent influence of a few Chris-
tian leaders this ancient empire has been lifted off its
hinges and a new life and spirit of progress have been in-
fused into a civilization, hoary with centuries of stagnant
heathenism. In this wonderful transformation, effected by
trained Christian teachers, the church and the world have
seen the fulfillment of the Bible prediction, "A nation shall
be born in a day."

Training for a noble Christian life is many times bet-
ter than training merely to make a living. The demand for
good and true men, to serve as leaders in church and state
was never greater than at present. The aim of the church
is to supply the world with capable leaders that are "Christ-
led and Bible-fed."

A right education knows no limit of breadth. It in-
cludes a knowledge of the Infinite as well as the finite. It
recognizes the fact that finite things can not be rightly un-
derstood without knowing their relation to the Infinite.
Our Lord Jesus, who came into the world to make known the
will of the Father, "holds in his girdle the key to all the
secrets of the universe, and no education can be thorough
without the knowledge of Him."

Christian schools are established for the culture of
souls. Their aim is to develop men and women as persons
to the full extent of their powers for the sake of their con-
tribution to the personal welfare and progress of society.

THE BIBLE AN IMPORTANT FACTOR 33

THE BIBLE A POWER IN THE FORMATION OF

CHARACTER

All things being equal the thorough Christian makes
a better mechanic, a better farmer, a better housekeeper,
teacher, doctor, lawyer or business man, than one who is
not a Christian. It is the work of a Bible school of instruc-
tion to equip its graduates with the very best elements of
character and progress, and send them forth tempered and
polished for the conquest of the world.

The young have characters to be molded, ideals to be
formed, capacities to be enlarged, an efficiency that may be
increased, an energy to be centralized, and a hope and faith
to be strengthened. The Bible, in the hands of the tactful
and faithful Christian teacher accomplishes all of these re-
sults, by its precepts and interesting biographies.

The Bible, furnishes the young correct ideals of a noble
and useful manhood. The common greed for money, po-
sition and outward appearance is weighed in the balance
and found wanting.

The Bible is the fountain of all true character, and fur-
nishes the means for the betterment of one's self. It fur-
nished the principles and ideals that enabled Washington,
Lincoln, Frances Willard, Queen Victoria, Gladstone and
others, to achieve greatness as statesmen, rulers or na-
tional leaders; and enabled Cary, Judson, Moffat, Living-
stone and others to invade dark, dangerous continents that
they might become heralds of gospel light and liberty
where they were most needed. "Buy the truth, sell it not,
and the truth shall make you free," was the ringing mes-
sage they proclaimed to men, women and children.

34 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

THE ARCHITECT GREATER THAN THE CATHEDRAL

A tourist, visiting the famous cathedral at Milan, ex-
pressed his great surprise at the wonderful vision and per-
fect ideal of the man, who designed it. A guide remarked,
that the mind of the architect, who wrought out the hun-
dred striking features of the design, was greater than the
magnificent cathedral. This led another to remark, "Only a
mind inspired by Christ could have designed this wonder-
ful building.'' How true! The love of Christ constrains his
people to bring to his service and worship their noblest
powers of mind and body.

When the tourist viewed the works of art, which in-
cluded some of the world's most famous statuary and paint-
ings, he found the master pieces of Michael Angelo, the
sculptor, were Moses and David, both of them characters
from the Bible; and the most wonderful paintings were
those of the person of our Lord Jesus, the only Redeemer of
the world.

Hayden and Handel, two of the world's most famous
musical composers, were inspired to write their great choral
masterpieces, the "Creation" and the "Messiah" as a re-
sult of their careful study of the sacred scriptures..

The best the world has produced in law, literature,
poetry, music, art and architecture has been the embodi-
ment of ideals, that have received their inspiration from
reading God's Holy Word, and experiencing saving knowl-
edge of the redeeming work of His blessed Son.

Abraham continues to be the "father of the faithful,-"
Moses, author of the Pentateuch, continues to be the world's
greatest lawgiver and leader of men; Joshua effecting the
conquest of Canaan on the principle, "Divide and Conquer,"
continues to be the inspirer of successful military strateg-

THE BIBLE AN IMPORTANT FACTOR 35

ists; David author of Psalms, continues to be the world's
greatest poet ; Joseph, Daniel and Isaiah, continue to be the
best ideals for rulers and their counselors; Nehemiah, the
best representative of a progressive and successful man of
affairs ; Peter and John, the most noted examples of loyalty
to truth ; Paul, the most zealous advocate of a great cause ;
and our Lord Jesus continues to be the ideal of the world's
greatest teachers and benefactors.

THE BASIS OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC SCHOOL

SYSTEM
"The Bible, the basis of moral instruction in the public
school," was the interesting theme of an address it was the
privilege of the author to deliver at a teachers' institute
forty years ago, when engaged in teaching in central Penn-
sylvania. The conviction then became indellibly impressed,
that the Bible is really the basis of the American public
school system. The fact is now noted with a good deal of
interest, that the legislature of Pennsylvania in 1913, en-
acted a law, distinctly recognizing this fact, and providing
that at least ten verses from the Bible shall be read every
school day, in the presence of the scholars in every public
school within the bounds of the state. Every teacher refus-
ing to comply with this law is subject to dismissal..

Every state in the Union should have a law of this kind.
The Bible is not merely the book of books, it is the only one
that has correct ideals for young people. It awakens the
desire for more knowledge and inspires the courage to do
right.

THE VALLEY OF DIAMONDS

Ruskin, in "The Ethics of Dust", referring to the valley
of diamonds, remarks that "many people go to real places

36 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

and never see them; and many people pass through this
valley of diamonds and never see it."

One great object to be attained in the education of the
mind is to awaken an earnest desire for truth. All real life,
whether it be in the school, shop or field, consists in using
aright the true principles of life, that are found in the Word
of God. Every human heart, that has been illuminated by
this Word of Truth, finds that along the pathway that leads
to God, there are hidden the gems and jewels of eternal
truth, that prevail in every department of life. These gems
are hidden only from the careless and indifferent. Those
that make a diligent search are sure to find them. This
longing desire for truth is not only the mark of a good stu-
dent, but the assurance also that such a one, if circumstances
are favorable will continue to make progress after school
days have ended.

Many pupils, during their youthful school days, fail to
perceive the real mission of their education. They do not
then fully appreciate the real gold of truth, that cultivates
in them "those general charities of heart, sincerities of
thought, and graces of habit, which are likely to lead them,
throughout life to prefer frankness to affectation, reality to
shadows, and beauty to corruption." This enlightenment is
pretty sure to come to them later, if the Bible has been
their daily text book.

THE CHRISTIAN TEACHER
The acceptance of the Bible as the Word of God should
be regarded as essential, on the part of all teachers of child-
ren and youth.

If the Bible is the great fountain of saving truth and
the highest authority on human conduct, and it is to be
used as a daily text book, then, it naturally follows, the

THE BIBLE AN IMPORTANT FACTOR 37

teacher should be "a workman approved unto God, apt to
teach and rightly dividing the word of truth." Persons who
do not believe in the Bible do not care to teach it, and when
they are required to do so, they are pretty sure to vaunt
their unbelief. The influence of such teachers tends to es-
tablish unbelief instead of awakening a longing desire for
more truth.

Emerson in one of his essays, after pressing the fact
that the soul is the receiver and revealer of truth, states an
undeniable fact, when he says :

"That which we are, we shall teach, not voluntarily
but involuntarily. Thoughts go out of our minds through
avenues, which we never voluntarily opened. Character
teaches over our head. The infallible index of true progress
is found in the tone the man takes. Neither his age, nor his
breeding, nor his company, nor books, nor actions, nor tal-
ents, nor all together can hinder him from being deferential
to a higher spirit than his own. If he has not found his
home in God, his manners, his form of speech, the turn of
his sentences, the build, shall I say of all his opinions, will
involuntarily confess it, let him brave it out how he will."

The longings of the human heart are unsatisfied, until

the soul finds its home in God, its creator and preserver.

Teachers that ignore this fact, lack one thing that is vitally

important. Our Lord Jesus, the great teacher, expressed

its relative importance when he said: "Seek ye first the

Kingdom of God, and his righteousness ; and all these things

will be added unto you."

A RAILROAD PRESIDENT

James J. Hill, a prominent railroad president recently

made this important statement :

"We are making a mistake to train our young people
in various lines of knowledge for undertaking the big tasks
of life, without making sure also that those fundamental
principles of right and wrong as taught in the Bible, have
become a part of their equipment. There is a control of

38 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

forces and motives, that is essential to the management of
the vast affairs of our nation, which comes only through
an educated conscience; and to fail to equip young men,
who are to manage the great affairs of the future, with this
control and direction, is a serious mistake of the age and
bears with it a certain menace for the future."

In a recent issue of the Asembly Herald there ap-
peared the following very pertinent paragraphs on this
subject, credited to the Synod of Tennessee:

"In common with all good citizens, we rejoice in the pro-
gress of the cause of popular education in our land. The in-
telligence of our citizenship is a bulwark to the country.
But unless the education of the future citizen is complete
and symmetrical, the body politic becomes a body partly of
iron and partly of potter's clay. The education of the head
and the hand without the heart is not enough.

"The popular education has no place for the heart in
all of its splendid equipment. This is not a reflection on the
fine system. It is merely the statement of a melancholy
fact. The average state school, high or low, is absolutely
colorless as to religion. Even the morality that is taught
is not the morality of the Christian religion, but of philos-
ophical ethics that differ but little from the ethics of the
pagan.

"Our state schools have no place for the God of the
Bible, nor for the Bible of the only living and true God. The
poetry of Homer and Horace are sufficiently honored, but
the finer poetry of Moses, Job and David are unknown in the
courses of study of our schools, except now and then as spec-
imens of Oriental song. The wise sayings of Plato and
Socrates are reckoned worthy of profound study, while the
vastly greater sayings of our Lord Jesus and Paul are un-
known. Cicero and Demosthenes are commended as great
models of public address, while Isaiah and Ezekiel are sel-
dom mentioned in the four years of college life, or in the
longer years of the secondary schools.

"That education is incomplete and inadequate for life's
best, which does not include the whole man, and put first
things first. If the heart be not educated and the conscience
be not enlightened, the best trained hand may strike in a
wrong manner, and the best trained mind pronounce wrong
judgments. . Our citizenship must be Christian if it is to
promote a Christian civilization."

THE AMERICAN NEGRO

RELIGIOUS INSTINCT. — LOYAL AND PATRIOTIC. — THE
FREEDMAN. — HOMELESS AND ILLITERATE WHEN
EMANCIPATED. — FIRST SCHOOLS DURING THE CIVIL

WAR.— FREE NEGROES AND COLLEGE GRADUATES.—
50th ANNIVERSARY.

"All nations whom thou hast made shall come and wor-
ship before thee and glorify thy name." David.

RELIGIOUS INSTINCT
y^^^&ifiN commendation of woman's loyalty and
f W sense of obligation to our Lord Jesus, it has

Ojj been said of her, "She was last at his cross

s&J) anc * ^ rs ^ a ^ *^ s g rave > sne staid longest
there and was soonest here." In recognition
of this fact when he rose from the dead he appeared first to
one of them, Mary Magdalene.

To the credit of men of African descent, it may be said,
that one of them performed the last act of kindness to our
Lord Jesus, and the first individual conversion, of which we
have an account in the book of Acts, relates to another one.

Simon, who assisted Jesus to bear his cross to the
place of crucifixion, was a native of Cyrene in North Africa.
The eastern church canonized him as Simon, the Black one,
because his was the high and holy honor of bearing for the
weary Christ, his cross of shame and pain. Our Lord Jesus
was not long in the black man's debt. A few hours later, he
paid it back by bearing for him all his weary burdens, on

40 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

the very cross the African had borne for him. That was a
good start for the Black man.

Philip, directed by an angel of the Lord to go south and
join himself to the chariot occupied by the Eunuch, a man of
great authority under the Queen of Ethiopia, found him
reading the prophet Isaiah. Explaining the scriptures to
him the eunuch confessed his faith in Jesus, was baptized
with water found at the roadside and resumed his journey,
homeward from Jerusalem, rejoicing. The record of this
Black man's conversion is the first one of an individual in
the book of Acts.

The religious trait of the American Negro has often
been the subject of favorable comment. He has never, in all
his history, been swayed by the false teachings of infidels,
atheists or anarchists.

Dan Crawford, a Scotch missionary, the successor of
Livingstone in the central part of the dark continent, recent-
ly stated he had discovered the fact, that the most ignor-
ant and degraded natives of central Africa, have a relig-
ious instinct, that includes a belief in one God and the im-
mortality of the soul.

Penetrating the jungles of the interior beyond the
reach of a previous explorer, he found a tribe of nearly
nude cannibals. He saw one of them eating human flesh.
Meeting Ka la ma ta, their chief, the next day in the pres-
ence of several hundred of his tribe, he made special inquiry
in regard to their knowledge of God. The result was an
astounding surprise.

Kalamata, gave their name of God as Vi de Mu ku lu

the Great King. When further questioned he said:

"We know there is a God for the same reason we know
where the goats went on a wet night, when we see their deep
foot-prints in the mud. We see the sun and the sun sees

THE AMERICAN NEGRO 41

us. We see the wonderful mountains and the flowing
streams, and both tell us there is a God. He is the one
who sends the rain. No rain, nothing to eat; no God, no
anything."

Concerning a future life he expressed the thought, the
body is the cottage of the soul. The dead do not really die.
When one dies they do not say, "he departed", but "he has
arrived."

The x^merican Negro, like his native ancestor, has always
manifested this religious instinct.

Under the influence of a natural instinct the bee in-
variably builds its cell in the same form for the next brood
and the storage of honey for it; the butterfly prepares the
cradle and food for offspring it never sees, and the migra-
tory birds follow the sun northward in the spring and south-
ward on the approach of winter. All this is natural instinct.
Religious instinct is something very different from the
natural instinct of any creature. It is a natural power pos-
sessed by man alone, and has its sphere in the human con-
science. Paul, writing to the Romans in regard to the bar-
barians of his day, observed, "God is manifest in them, for
the invisible things of God, even his eternal power and God-
head, are clearly seen by the things that are made."
LOYAL AND PATRIOTIC
The Negro in America has always been loyal and pa-
triotic. He has rendered a voluntary service in the army
and navy of the United States that is worthy of special com-
mendation. The records of the war department show that
the number of colored soldiers, participating in the several
wars of this country was as follows :

Revolutionary War, 1775-1781 3,000

War of 1812 2,500

Civil War, 1861-1865 178,975

42 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

In the war with Spain in Cuba in 1898 the first troops
that were sent to the front were four regiments of colored
soldiers, and the service they rendered was distinguished by
bravery and courage.

THE FREEDMAN, HOMELESS AND ILLITERATE
In 1860 the number of Negroes that were in a state of
slavery was 3,930,760. In 1910 their number in the south-
ern states had increased to 9,000,000; and in the northern
states to 1,078,000.

The Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln
was issued January 1, 1863, but it was preceded by a prelim-
inary one on September 22, 1862, that gave the public a no-
tice of 100 days of the coming event.

The Act of Emancipation that severed the relation
binding them to their masters, left them in a very forlorn
and deplorable condition. They were homeless and penni-
less in a country, that had been rendered more or less des-
olate, by the ravages of war and bloodshed. No provision
had ever been made for the spread of intelligence among
them. It has been estimated that only about five per cent
of them at that time could read and write. Their homeless
and illiterate condition rendered them comparatively help-
less and dependent.

In 1885 the number of voters enrolled among the
Freedmen was 1,420,000 and of these as many as 1,065,000
were then unable to read and write. These illiterate voters
then represented the balance of power in eight southern
states and one sixth of the national electoral vote. This was
a matter of vital importance to the nation as well as the
states.

In 1900 the per centage of the Freedmen that could

THE AMERICAN NEGRO 43

read and write had been increased to 55.5 per cent, and in
1910 to 69.3 per cent.

At this latter date however only 58.3 per cent of their
children, of a school age, were enrolled as attending school,
which left more than one million yet to be provided for.

FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL

The first day school among the Freedmen was estab-
lished at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, by the American Mis-
sionary Association on September 17, 1861. This school be-
came the foundation of Hampton Institute, to which the
ragged urchin wended his way on foot and slept the first
night under a wooden pavement, that has since been known
as Booker T. Washington.

In 1862 similar schools were established at Ports-
mouth, Norfolk, and Newport News, Virginia; Newbern
and Roanoke Island, North Carolina, and Port Royal, South
Carolina. In December of that year Gen. Grant assigned
Col. John Eaton the supervision of the Freedmen in Arkan-
sas, with instruction to establish schools where practical.

After the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1,
1863, schools for the Negroes began to be established in
those parts of the south occupied by the Federal armies,
General Banks establishing the first ones in Louisiana.

In 1865 the Freedman's Bureau was established, and it
made the maintenance of schools one of its objects until
1870, when it was discontinued. The work has since been
left to the supervision of the several states, aided by the
generosity of the friends of Christian education through the
missionary agencies of their respective churches.

It is estimated that since 1870 the Freedmen, who con-
stitute nearly one half the population of the southern states

44 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

have received for the support of their schools, only one
eighth of the public funds appropriated for the maintenance
of common schools. In the rural districts teachers only are
furnished, and these are supplied on the condition the Freed-
men in the district build, furnish and maintain the school
building, the same as they do their church buildings.

The number of free Negroes in the United States in
1860 was 487,970. The states having the greatest number
of them were Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Maryland, Vir-
ginia and North Carolina.

A few of these had become graduates of colleges be-
fore the war and were thus fitted for intelligent leadership.
The beginning and increase in number of these colored col-
lege graduates has been as follows ; In 1829, 1 ; in 1849, 7 ;
in 1859, 12; in 1869, 44; in 1879, 313; in 1899, 1,126; and in
1909, 1,613. About 700 of them have graduated from our
northern colleges the largest number having attended
Oberlin college at Oberlin, Ohio, and Lincoln University at
Oxford, Pennsylvania. In 1910 the whole number that had
graduated was 3,856.

50tb ANNIVERSARY

The 50th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclama-
tion was observed by a number of the states in September,
1913. In Pennsylvania it consisted of an exposition at
the city of Philadelphia, that lasted one month. The
exhibit, showing the progress of the negroes from their in-
fantile condition of 50 years ago, was characterized as
"wonderful", and the occasion, one for devout thanksgiving
and encouragement on the part of those, who have labored
patiently and faithfully for their civil, social, moral or
religious development.

THE AMERICAN NEGRO

The Presbyterian was the only one of the white church-
es that attempted an exhibit of its work at this exposition.
Its exhibit consisted of photographs of churches and schools,
and accounts of the results of the work. It included speci-
mens of industrial work done in the schools by the sewers,
cabinet workers and other artisans. It was under the di-
rection of Rev. John M. Gaston, field secretary of the Pres-
byterian Board of Missions for Freedmen.

THE PROBLEM OF THE FREEDMAN

DIFFERENT STANDPOINTS.— REPRESENTATION IN CON-
GRESS.— 13th, 14th AND 15th AMENDMENTS.— NEGRO
SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES.— DISFRANCHISE-
MENTS.— RESULTS CONTRARY TO EXPECTATION.— PROV-
IDENTIAL LEADING OF JOSEPH, ISRAEL, NEHEMIAH
AND DANIEL SUGGESTIVE.— A DIVINE MISSION.— THE
FREEDMAN'S FRIENDS.— FRIENDLY COUNSELS.— THE
GOLDEN RULE.

"Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy
throne ; mercy and truth shall go before thy face."

"Righteousness exalteth a nation but sin is a reproach
to any people."

f^^m

%^/PHE "Problem of the Negro" is an old and fa-
W miliar phrase. It relates to the fact, that,
1 ujj however many and great have been the
«<cfev benefits derived from his labor and loyalty,
the best management of him has been a
troublesome problem to the statesmen of this country,
ever since the declaration of independence, and especially
the Freedman, since his emancipation.

Like a prism or cube, this problem has several sides,
but unlike these symbols, its various sides are unlike each
other. The solution of it has always appeared to be dif-
ferent when viewed from different angles of vision. Ob-
servers in one part of our country unite in saying, "this is
the best way to solve this problem," while others in another
section insist, they know a better way. The statesman

THE PROBLEM OF THE FREEDMAN 47

views it from one point of view, the labor leader from an-
other and the Christian philanthropist from still another
standpoint.

The first part of this problem, the one relating to the
fact of his freedom, has already been solved. The solu-
tion of this introductory part of the problem caused pre-
liminary struggles in Kansas and other places, including the
Civil War. It served to bring out that which was noblest
and best in Harriet Beecher Stowe, William Lloyd Garrison,
Frederic Douglass, Henry Ward Beecher, Horace Greeley,
Charles Summer, Abraham Lincoln and others.

The parts that remain to be solved relate to his uplift
from ignorance, poverty and degradation, to the attain-
ment of the ability to support himself, by a fair chance in
the labor market, and the enjoyment of approved educa-
tional, religious and political privileges.

He has been accorded the right to own property, ana is
enjoying that right to the full extent of his ability to ac-
quire and hold it.

He has been accorded limited educational and religious
privileges, and has made a very commendable progress
along both of these lines.

It is at this point we reach the difficult and unsolved
part of the problem.

The intelligent and prosperous portion of them in the
South, though native and loyal Americans, are discrimin-
ated against, and denied rights and recognitions, that are
accorded other nationalities, though illiterate. The popular
reason assigned, for locally withholding from all of
them certain privileges of citizenship, is the fact that a
great number of them continue to be illiterate.

48 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

In several of the states the Freedman is denied the
privilege of enjoying the instruction of competent white
teachers in their state and public schools, and in all of them
he is prohibited from attending white schools, as in Penn-
sylvania and other northern states. The discriminations
against them are so general, that it is almost impossible for
any of them to acquire skill as workmen, or become fitted to
serve their own people in the professions, except from those
of their own number, or institutions of learning provided
specially for them.

REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS

During the last forty years, the Freedmen have been
counted as a part of the population, in apportioning the dis-
tricts for the election of Representatives in the Congress of
the United States. This inclusion of their number, in the
arrangement of the districts, has enabled the states to
which they belong, to have a considerable number of ad-
ditional congressmen, that they would not have had, if the
districts had been arranged according to the white popu-
lation, which alone has been permitted to vote.

Since 1910 the additional number of Congressmen^
representing the suppressed vote of the Freedmen, has been
82 in a total of 82 members. These additional representa-
tives, based on the population representing the suppressed
vote of the Freedmen, have come from the different states
as follows : Alabama, 5 ; Arkansas, 2 ; Florida, 1 ; Georgia, 6 ;
Louisiana, 4; Mississippi, 5; North Carolina, 4; South Car-
olina, 4; Texas, 1. Total, 32.

This is an unexpected and a rather anomalous condi-
tion. It places the Freedmen in this country on a plane
somewhat similar to that accorded the Philippines and Porto

THE PROBLEM OF THE FREEDMAN 49

Ricans, as regards the matter of government and partici-
pation therein.

It also, however, suggests the goal towards which edu-
cation, religion and consequent material prosperity are
gradually uplifting the race. This goal is clearly expressed
in the following amendments to the Constitution of the
United States.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

Article XIII. Section I. Neither slavery nor involun-
tary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof
the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within
the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
— (Ratified Dec. 18, 1865.)

Article XIV. Section I. All persons born or natural-
ized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction
thereof, are citizens of the United States, and of the state
wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any
law, which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of
citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive
any person of life, liberty or property, without due process
of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the
equal protection of the laws.

Section 2. Representatives shall be apportioned
among the several states according to their respective num-
bers, counting the whole number of persons in each state,
excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote
at any election for the choice of electors for president and
vice-president of the United States, representatives in con-
gress, the executive and judicial officers of a state, or the
members of the legislature thereof, is denied to any of the
male inhabitants of such state, being twenty-one years of
age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way
abridged, except for participation in rebellion or other
crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced
in the proportion, which the number of such male citizens
shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one
years of age in such state. — (Ratified July 28, 1868.)

Article XV. Section 1. The right of citizens of the
United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the
United States or by any state on account of race, color, or
previous condition of servitude.

50 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Section 2. The congress shall have power to enforce
this article (or these articles) by appropriate legislation. —
(Ratified March 30, 1870.)

NEGRO SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES

As a result of these amendments two negroes, one free
born, the other a Freedman were elected to the United
States senate, namely, Hiram R. Revels, 1870-1871 ; and
Blanche K. Bruce, 1875-1881, both from Mississippi.

Twenty others have enjoyed the privilege of serving
as representatives in congress, during the thirty-two years
intervening between 1869 and 1901. The first of these was
Jefferson Long of Georgia, who served alone in 1869 and
1870. During the next four years 1871 to 1874, there were
four representatives, representing Alabama, Florida, Mis-
sissippi and South Carolina, the last having two colored rep-
resentatives during this entire period. Their number was
then reduced to two representatives, and finally to none
since 1901, save that there were three during the terms
commencing 1877, 1881 and 1883. Their last representa-
tives were George W. Murray of South Carolina, 1893 to
1897; and George H. White of North Carolina, 1897 to 1901.

Five of these twenty representatives were re-elected
and served terms of four years ; three served six years, and
Joseph H. Rainey of South Carolina enjoyed the unusual
privilege of serving ten years, 1875 to 1885. Eight of them
were from South Carolina, four from North Carolina, three
from Alabama and one from Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,
Mississippi and Virginia.

DISFRANCHISEMENTS
During the seventies and eighties the Freedmen were
to a considerable extent disfranchised by means of "elec-
tion devices, practices and intimidations."

THE PROBLEM OF THE FREEDMAN 51

Since 1890, when Mississippi took the lead, a number of
the states have passed laws restricting the right of suffrage
on their part to such tests as the payment of their annual
taxes, previous to a certain date; ownership of a certain
amount of land or personal property, the ability to read and
write the constitution of the state or of the United States,
and the "Grandfather Clause" which permits one unable to
meet the educational or property tests to continue to vote,
if he enjoyed that privilege, or is a lineal descendant of one
that did so, previous to the date mentioned therein, usually
1867.

The following states have enacted laws containing the
"Grandfather Clause:" South Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama,
Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and in 1910, Oklahoma.
This part of the Oklahoma statute reads as follows :

"But no person who was on January 1, 1866, or at any
time prior thereto, entitled to vote under any form of gov-
ernment, or who at that time resided in some foreign na-
tion, and no lineal descendant of such person shall be de-
nied the right to register and vote because of his inability
to so read and write such Constitution."

RESULT CONTRARY TO EXPECTATION
This historic record, of representation in the highest
legislative council of the nation, is very suggestive. That
the Freedmen should have been accorded the largest num-
ber of representatives just after the dawn of freedom, when
their general condition has always been described as ex-
tremely deplorable, that this number should have been
gradually diminished with the spread of intelligence among
them; and that finally they should have no representative
during the last thirteen years, when their progress in ed-
ucation and material prosperity has been, at their fiftieth
anniversary, declared to be "wonderful," certainly does not

52 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

seem to be in accordance with what one* intuitively would
expect to be the natural order of things.

It is quite natural the present order of things should
awaken and develop a feeling of protest on the part of the
Freedmen, for they appreciate rights and privileges as
well as other races and nations.

Their segregation, enforced on all alike in cities, public
places and conveyances results also in many disappointing
and humiliating experiences to those who are leaders
among them.

The existing order is, however, an expression of local
public sentiment and of the wisest statesmanship of those,
who claim to be the best friends of the Freedman, because
they live nearest to him and know better than others how
to provide for his needs, including rights and privileges.

He enjoys the privileges of public protection to life,
property and the pursuit of happiness, but to a consider-
able extent is denied the privilege of representation in
making laws and exercising the power of government.

These historic facts relating to the gradual curtail-
ment of the privilege of representation in legislation and
government have been noted, not merely because they form
an important part in a full statement of the negro problem,
but as a prelude to the following facts, and suggestions to
the Freedmen.

PROVIDENTIAL LEADING
The history of the negro in America has been one of
providential leading and apparently to enable him to work
out his own destiny. From the time the Dutch slave ship
in 1619 landed the first importation, consisting of 20 slaves,
at Jamestown, Virginia, to the present time, every import-
ant event or change in his condition has come to him from

THE PROBLEM OF THE FREEDMAN 53

others, who without aid or suggestion from him have been
moved to act for him.

The experience of Joseph, in passing through the pit
and the prison, on the way to his real mission, the exper-
ience of Israel in Egypt from the death of Joseph until the
time of their deliverance at the Red Sea, and the experience
of Nehemiah and Daniel, captives at Babylon, who were
there providentially led and prepared for the most signal
services of their lives, seem like historic parallels flashing
from inspired Bible story, their comforting and prophetic
light on the servile and dark experiences of the negro in
America.

In all of these instances the persons were subject to
the control of others, the way seemed dark, trying and ut-
terly disappointing, and the opportunities, that prepared the
way for important transitions, came unsought and in ways
wholly unexpected. The things that proved of greatest im-
portance in every instance were the intelligence, integrity,
patience and piety of the individual.

The Godfearing integrity of Joseph was expressed
when he resisted a great temptation by saying, "How can
I do this great wickedness and sin against God?"

Israel in Egypt submissively and obediently under-
took to make the full tale of brick when unsympathetic
taskmasters withheld the usual and necessary amount of
straw.

Nehemiah, a captive cupbearer of a heathen prince,
won his confidence and when honorably permitted to return
and rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, nobly answered his idle
opposers, "I am doing a great work I cannot come down to
you."

54 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Daniel, when a captive youth, "purposed in his heart
not to defile himself with the King's meat or the wine which
he drank," or be swerved from his fidelity to the living and
true God by threats of the lion's den. When the lives of
the wise men of Babylon were in danger of being suddenly
taken by royal command, he is introduced to King Nebu-
chadnezzar with the significant words, "I have found a MAN
of the captives of Judah that will make known to the King
the interpretation." He was a man whose power of vision
enabled him to forecast the future correctly and possessed
the courage to act prudently. Though a captive and denied
many privileges, he proved himself an intelligent and trust-
worthy man and, serving as a special counsellor of five suc-
cessive heathen kings, achieved for himself the worthy rep-
utation of being the greatest statesman of his age.

All of these men discovered, that their imprisonment or
captivity was a part of the divine plan, that providentially
led and prepared them for their real mission, which in each
instance proved to be one of prominent usefulness.

All of them were true patriots, but none of them were
"office seekers" or "corrupt politicians." They loved more
than any other their own native land, because of its sacred
literature and religious institutions, but they were loyal
and true to those who ruled over them in a foreign land.
If any of them had manifested a political ambition, the
divine plan, in regard to their promotion and usefulness,
would have been immediately frustrated, and the memory
of their names would have perished with their generation.

A DIVINE MISSION
May we not believe that God had a plan and purpose,
in bringing the negro to the christian colonies, that estab-
lished our government on the fundamental principles of

THE PROBLEM OF THE FREEDMAN 55

civil and religious liberty. His condition during the period
of servitude, which lasted 246 years, was perhaps in many
places but little worse than that of most of his kinsmen in
Africa, during this same period; while now, at the end of
the first fifty years of freedom, the condition and prospects
of the intelligent and prosperous ones among them, are de-
clared to be better than those enjoyed by their kinsmen,
any where on earth.

THE FREEDMAN'S FRIENDS

The Freedman has hosts of friends, who are interested
in his welfare. He has interested neighbors, amongst
whom he lives, and also friends at a distance. Both are
trying to solve the problem of his true relation to Ameri-
can institutions and privileges. While both have been co-
operating together to a considerable extent and in a very
commendable manner for the betterment of his condition,
it remains to note however that if one is considered by the
other as moving too slowly, or too rapidly, one acts as a
gentle spur or check to the other.

This is the harmonizing process that is now going on
among the friends of the Freedman. He is scarcely regard-
ed as a participating factor in this harmonizing process.
There are times when to him every new event seems to be
one moving him in the wrong direction. His natural im-
pulse, on experiencing these apparently adverse movements,
is to raise the voice of bitter complaint against one set of
his friends. When this is done in a personal or partisan way
it is offensive and always does more harm than good. This
method of procedure should therefore never be approved or
adopted.

56 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

FRIENDLY COUNSELS

A respectful protest against a wrong and an appeal
to have it removed, addressed to the person or body having
the power to remove it, is an inherent right and a proper
method of procedure whenever deemed advisable.

"Love thy neighbor as thyself" should be regarded as
a fundamental principle by every Freedman. When the
herdmen of Abraham and Lot had a little trouble over
cattle and pastures, Abraham, who had received all the
land by promise and Lot was really a troublesome intrud-
er, discovered the greatness of his soul and settled the dif-
ficulty by saying to Lot,

"Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and
thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen, for we be
brethren.

"Is not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself
from me, if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to
the right, or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go
to the left."

Do not become impatient. Your friends at a distance,
especially those in the churches, are generously endeav-
oring to help you to climb the ladder of progress, until a
larger proportion of the race has been uplifted to the plane
of an enlightened christian civilization.

That the Freedman, notwithstanding his wonderful
progress during the last fifty years, is still in an infantile
condition, is freely confessed. It was eighty years from the
time the helpless babe was uplifted from the river, before
Moses was called to be the leader and deliverer of Israel.
The uplift from the river and training in his case came
from the gentle hands of others. This fact is quite signifi-
cant.

THE PROBLEM OF THE FREEDMAN 57

The Freedman who, avoiding the worthless and cor-
rupt politician and over zealous office seeker, makes a good
success of his farm and co-operates cordially with his
friends and neighbors in effecting the educational and moral
uplift of his race, will be happiest while he lives and do
most to hasten the day, when political privileges, now tem-
porarily withheld, will be restored to those who are found
capable and worthy of their enjoyment.

If you happen to live in a state where your neighbor
does not wish you to be a politician and hold office, do not
worry. There are thousands of citizens every year and in
all parts of our land, who do not vote and merely because
they do not care to do so.

The voice of protest, against the useless and corrupt
politician, is now heard in all parts of our land. In many
of our cities, he has already been relegated to the junk
heap, by the adoption of the commission form of govern-
ment. Two of the states, Kansas and Oklahoma, are now
vieing with each other, to see which shall be first to adopt
the same system in the management of the public affairs
of the state, and thus dispense with a lot of unnecessary
public officials.

"A public office is a public trust" and affords an op-
portunity to render a useful and honorable service, but
holding public office is not essential to the happiness and
prosperity of any of us. An over eager desire to hold pub-
lic office often suggests nothing more, than an effort to find
employment for the idle. The better way, as in the cases
of Saul and David, kings of Israel, and of Washington and
Grant, commanders-in-chief of our armies, is to let the of-
fice seek the man.

58 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

THE GOLDEN RULE

"As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to
them."

The application of the Golden Rule to this part of this

problem, suggests that every man is entitled to recogni-
tion according to his worth.

"Our country can fulfil its high mission among the na-
tions of the earth, conferring lasting benefits on ourselves
and all mankind, only by guaranteeing to its humblest citi-
zen his just right to life, liberty, protection from injustice,
the enjoyment of the fruits of his own labor and the pur-
suit of happiness in his own way, as long as he walks in the
path of rectitude and duty and does not trespass upon the
rights of others," declares ex-President Roosevelt.

"Morality, and not expediency, is the thing that must
guide us," is the emphatic declaration of President Wood-
row Wilson. The false assumption that "the end justifies
the means has come from self-centered men, who see in
their own interests the interests of the country, and do not
have vision enough to read it in wider terms, the universal
terms of equity and justice."

VOICES FROM THE BLACK BELT

"If any man hear my voice and open the door."

i^^^tf/^N a discussion of the Negro problem it is
\[ eminently appropriate the Freedman and

his neighbor be accorded the privilege of
expressing their respective views. The
thoughts expressed in this chapter have
been gleaned principally from the columns of the Afro-
American, a colored weekly, published by the faculty of
Biddle University, Charlotte, North Carolina.

The problem of the negro relates to his capacity for im-
provement and self-support. Is the American negro, after
centuries of slavery, that kept the race in an infantile con-
dition, capable of development and self support?

Over this question the people of our country have ex-
pressed differing opinions, many insisting that the servant
condition is the better one for the American negro. The
Presbyterian Standard, published at Charlotte, N. C, a sec-
tion of country in which the latter sentiment still prevails,
recently bore this testimony to their progress.

"While it is true of them as a mass that they are an in-
fantile race, it is not true of them in many individual cases.
There are thousands of them, who have advanced wonder-
fully during the last fifty years. They have made progress in
every line. They are owning more farms every year, and in
our cities they are buying homes, which sometimes would
do credit to a more enlightened people. Their churches are
not only built in better taste, but their preachers are be-

60 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

coming better educated, and are exerting a stronger moral
influence than ever before."

This frank statement fairly represents the sentiment
of the thoughtful christian people of the south. Some who
have thought otherwise have been led to admit that, "while
great advance has been made by a race only fifty years old,
it is still in its infancy and therefore in the servant condi-
tion." Nor is it any exception in this respect.

Through adversity and hard treatment, the Irish people
who first came to this country were largely in a servant con-
dition. They accepted it. They became our domestics and
built our railroads. But "Pat" is not on the railroad now. He
is found occupying the seat of the chief justice, or serving
as private secretary of the president and filling many other
positions of honor and influence throughout the country.

What is thus true of the Irishman, is also true of other
Europeans, who came to this country. It is an honor to
them, that they truly appreciated their condition, accepted
it and, through an honest and valiant struggle, rose above
that condition to something better.

The American negro is now making it evident, that he is
no exception to this general law of progress, under favorable
conditions. It is neither necessary nor prudent to blind
their eyes in regard to their real condition and status. Their
best friends are those who encourage them to accept the sit-
uation in which they have been placed by an over ruling
providence, and, through a noble endeavor, worthy of divine
favor, rise to something better.

Their friends assist them best by aiding and encourag-
ing them to make this noble endeavor, without which they
cannot rise. The mass of the people must have native teach-
ers and preachers to serve as leaders. This suggests the

VOICES FROM THE BLACK BELT 61

need of two kinds of educational facilities. A common in-
dustrial education, that will enable the mass of the people
to achieve success in their daily avocations ; and some spec-
ial educational facilities of a higher grade, to prepare the
needed supply of teachers, preachers and other leaders.

The mass of the people need an education, the scope of
which will reach their physical, mental and spiritual nat-
ures. Their greatest need is instruction in the Bible, that
it may exert its saving power on their early lives and ani-
mate them with noble aspirations.

THE CRY OF THE BLACK BELT

"They shall cry unto the Lord because of the oppres-
sors and he shall send them a Saviour and a great one and he
shall deliver them." — Isaiah.

The following appeal in behalf of the Freedmen, by
Rev. A. W. Verner, D. D., president of Scotia Seminary,
Concord, North Carolina, one of the five normal schools of
the Presbyterian board, especially intended for girls, is so
well and forcibly expressed, we are sure it will be appre-
ciated by every reader.

"The urgent call from the black belt is the cry of souls
in distress, the cry of humanity. Fifty years of unprece-
dented progress, in every line of industrial and intellectual
pursuits and religious development, on the part of a con-
siderable number of the colored people, show clearly, that
the negro is capable of receiving and using to good advant-
age the education and training of the christian school.

"Industrial education, that lacks genuine christian cul-
ture, does not provide leaders of the right character to re-
deem the race, and many of our friends in the south do not
care to open to the negro the doors of opportunity, to de-
velop and manifest the best that is in him. It is therefore
to the christian church of the north and to individuals, who
have come to recognize the bond of human brotherhood, to
whom this infant race still makes its appeal.

62 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

"The sad and degraded condition of great masses of the
race in many localities of the south, ought to be an appeal,
silent indeed but sufficiently strong, to awaken the sympa-
thy of every one, capable of being touched by the cry of
needy humanity. As a representative of the great Pres-
byterian church, that has called me into a very important
and necessary field of her work, I earnestly appeal to our
people to do more for the establishment and fostering of
christian schools among the great masses of the black belt.

The christian church and the christian school have
something to give, that can be gotten nowhere else. The
public school where established and industrial training
where available are good and necessary. But the
christian school is still needed and very greatly, to give
moral and spiritual ballast to the individual. The leaven of
gospel power and purity is needed, to give moral strength
to the character and the highest degree of usefulness in
life.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

"Christian education is not narrow, it takes in every
phase of training that is essential to produce a well devel-
oped and useful life. Jt touches and tints industrial train-
ing with a brighter and richer glow. It quickens the facul-
ties of the mind, adds keenness to the power of perception,
forms permanent habits of industry and strengthens the
will or purpose to do right.

"Christian education emphasizes the fact that it is not
merely book learning — storing the mind with knowledge of
facts or training the hands to work, but includes moral ele-
vation, as well as intellectual development. It includes
everything that tends to make the life purer, better and
more useful. It begets and fosters a spirit of hopefulness.
It develops that patience and perseverance that is needed
for the best performance of every day's duties.

"Christian education emphasizes personal purity, pur-
ityof the family life and the sacredness of the marriage re-
lation. Its whole trend and effect is upward. Its genius
is moral, spiritual, industrial, domestic, social and individ-
ual elevation. It creates a hunger and thirst for higher and
better things. It is the mountain summit from whose
height one gets a broader vision, a clearer view of the pos-

VOICES FROM THE BLACK BELT 63

sibilities and demands of life and a truer conception of all
human relations.

This is the provision that must be made for our black
brother. Nothing less will meet his needs. A great respon-
sibility rests with negro leaders who have attained a good
degree of intelligence and refinement, but a greater re-
sponsibility still rests upon the people of richer blessing and
greater power.

"If the spirit of true democracy, which declares, 'op-
portunity for every one, according to his capacity and
merit,' and the spirit of Christianity, whose principle is,
'Help for the weaker as the stronger is able to give it,' be
exercised toward the negro, many of the difficulties will
vanish, better conditions will prevail and more desirable
results will be secured."

This cry of humanity from the black belt of our land
is very touching and suggestive. It suggests the negro's
greatest and most urgent needs, the Bible, the Bible school
and the christian teacher.

It is the silent appeal of Joseph while passing through
the pit and the prison in the land of Israel's enslavement.
Beyond these dark and unpleasant experiences there await-
ed for Joseph a career of great usefulness in the land of
his previous imprisonment.

Let us recognize the fact that God has a great use for
the Freedman in this our native land, because he has provi-
dentially brought him here and increased his number so
greatly.

A spirit of true patriotism, as well as the tie of chris-
tian brotherhood, prompts the lending of a helping hand
and an encouraging word, while he solves the problem of
his own destiny of great usefulness in the home, the school,
the church, in the shop, on the farm and in the fields of pro-
fessional opportunity and business activity.

CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

It may be truly said of the Freedmen that they repre-
sent the poor of this world, of whom the Lord Jesus said,
"Ye have the poor always with you, Me ye have not al-
ways. Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least
of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto Me."

VII

UPLIFTING INFLUENCES

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT.— AN HISTORIC COMPARISON.

"Look unto the rock whence ye were hewn, and to the
hole of the pit whence ye were digged." — Isaiah 51:1.

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

MZ^x^^ff* HE historic incidents, having an uplifting
J' T^ >\Y influence that occurred among the Choctaw
til Freedmen of Indian Territory, from the
time of their first instruction in the Bible
to the establishment and present develop-
ment of Oak Hill Industrial Academy, when briefly sum-
marized, seem like a reproduction on a miniature scale of
those greater events that occurred among the Christian na-
tions of Europe and America preceding the adoption of
their systems of public instruction.

I. THE CHOCTAW FREEDMEN
Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury, a generous hearted missionary
to the Indians, having charge of a church building at
Doaksville, encourages the slaves in the vicinity to meet in
it occasionally on Sabbath afternoons, for the purpose of re-
ceiving instruction in the Bible and shorter catechism.

This Bible instruction does not result in the organiza-
tion of a church at that place, but opportunity is given for
the manifestation and development of the religious in-
stinct of a number of persons, amongst whom there are two

66 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

young men, who were destined later to become influential
leaders among the enslaved people whom they represented.
After their emancipation, one locates on the west bank
of the Kiamichi river and later becomes known as Parson
Stewart, the organizer and circuit rider of a sufficient num-
ber of churches, at the time of his decease in 1896, to form
the Presbytery of Ki a mich i.

The other, accompanied by several personal friends,
migrates fifteen miles eastward and founds a home in the
Oak Hill neighborhood. In the course of a short time he
is visited by the parson and his home becomes a house of
worship, where a church is organized and Henry Crittenden
is ordained as its ruling elder.

A Sunday school for Bible instruction follows the es-
tablishment of public worship, and two years later it is
followed by the establishment of a week-day school, for
the benefit of all the children and youth in the neighbor-
hood. Eight years later, when the trained missionary teach-
er arrives, the inspiration of a new life is infused into the
church and Sunday school, and the week-day school be-
comes an important industrial academy, where the Bible
is the basis of the moral and religious instruction. In 1905
they receive an allotment of lands that they may become in-
dependent owners of their own homes. In 1908 statehood
brings the rural public school and in 1912, an intelligent
Freedman is entrusted with the management of the Indus-
trial Academy, church and farm.

This sequence of events includes the dark period of
slavery and illiteracy followed by instruction in the Bible,
the light of the world ; the development of the native preach-
er of the gospel as a leader, the organization of the church,
followed by the Sunday school, the week-day school, the

UPLIFTING INFLUENCES 67

academy, normal, public school and finally a native superin-
tendent of the academy and independent ownership of land.

II. THE EUROPEANS AND AMERICANS

THE DARK AGES

The period from the 8th to the 12th centuries of the
christian era has been classed by historians as the "Dark
Ages" of the world, because of the general prevalence in
Europe of ignorance, superstition and barbarism. Some
of the leading events that occurred during this gloomy
period, immediately following the decline and fall of the
Roman Empire, tended almost wholly to check the spread
of intelligence and the prosperity of the people, rather
than to promote their welfare. The Scrptures were neglect-
ed and the clergy as well as the people became worldly, ig-
norant, selfish and superstitious.

THE SARACENS AND NORMANS
These unfavorable events included, at the beginning of
this period, the invasion of Palestine and southern Europe
including Spain, its most western state, by the Moham-
medans of Arabia, often called Saracens and Infidels, who
were fanatically inflamed with a passion to destroy with
the sword all the people of the world, who would not obey
Mohammed, their prophet. During the next century Ger-
many, Britain, Holland and France, then called Gaul, were
ruthlessly invaded by conquering hordes of the adventurous
and barbarous Normans, who came from Norway, Swed-
en and Denmark, countries north of the Baltic Sea.

THE CRUSADERS OR CROSS-BEARERS
These invasions were followed by the period of the
Crusaders, 1096 to 1271, when as many as seven great
armies or multitudes of people were assembled at the call

68 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

of the popes, and wearing crosses on their shoulders, march-
ed through the intervening countries to Palestine. Their
object was to rescue the city of Jerusalem and the holy
sepulchre from the infidels. The first crusade was organ-
ized in France, and it enlisted an army of 800,000. God-
frey, duke of Lorraine, was placed in command, and the
multitude was arranged for the march in three divisions.
Peter, the hermit, a wrong-headed monk, was appointed lead-
er of the first division and experienced an inglorious and ir-
reparable defeat on the way. Godfrey, after the siege and
conquest of Jerusalem in 1099, was chosen King to rule
over Palestine and the holy city, as his kingdom. At the
time of his coronation he made the noble remark, that,

"He could not bear the thought of wearing a crown of
gold in that city, where the King of Kings had been crowned
with thorns."

The brave soldier and manly man, who gave expres-
sion to this noble sentiment, died the next year.

Under weak and unskilful chiefs the crusaders while
on the way wandered about like undisciplined bands of rob-
bers, plundering cities, committing the most abominable
enormities, and spreading misery and desolation where-
ever they passed. There was no kind of insolence, injustice
and barbarity of which they were not guilty. The seven
successive crusades drained the wealth of the fairest prov-
inces and caused the loss of a prodigious number of people.

Those of the first crusade, that remained in Palestine,
were divided by sordid ambition and avarice, and in 1187
Saladin, sultan of Egypt and Syria, the most valiant chief of
the Mohammedan warriors, recaptured Jerusalem and
subsequent crusaders were not able to regain it.

UPLIFTING INFLUENCES 69

FIRST RAYS OF LIGHT

The first rays of light, that serve to dispel the dark-
ness of prevailing night, may be briefly summarized in the
following leading events.

In 901 Alfred the Great, king of England, founds a sem-
inary at Oxford to promote the study of sacred literature.
Later it becomes a university, the first one in Europe, and
it is still distinguished as one of the greatest institutions in
the world for publishing the Scriptures in a form suited for
the use of preachers and christian teachers. Two centur-
ies later the second university is founded at Cambridge,
England.

About 1170 Peter Waldo of Lyons, France, committing
to memory such portions of the Scriptures as he could ob-
tain, and taking for his favorite saying, the command of
our Lord to the rich youth, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and
sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt
have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me," commences
to preach the gospel, as the Apostles had done, in the homes
of the people and in their market places. As he attracts
followers, who also commit portions of the Scriptures, he
sends them out like the seventy, two and two, to preach the
Word of God. They are called Waldenses, after the name of
their leader, and oppose corrupt doctrines and practices
with the plain truths of the Word of God. They oppose
the crusades, as fanatical expeditions on the part of those
who were not Jews, and therefore were unjust and unlaw-
ful. They insist the church consists not merely of the clergy
or priests, but includes the whole family of believers.

The advocacy of these principles and by laymen, causes
them to be excommunicated, then anathematized and fin-
ally to be condemned by a council at Rome in 1179. Peter

70 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Waldo, their leader, flees from land to land, preaching as
he goes and dies in Bohemia in 1197.

In 1215, King John of England, yielding to the insistent
demand of the barons, issued the Magna Charta, (Great
Charter) the first grant of English constitutional liberty,
pledging the right of trial by jury and protection of life,
liberty and property from unlawful deprivation. It is im-
mediately denounced by the pope, Innocent III, who ab-
solves the king from all obligation to keep the pledges there-
in expressed and solemnized by the royal oath.

In 1366 John Wiclif, a graduate of Oxford and member
of the English Parliament, presents to that body indisput-
able reasons, why, without the approval of the Parliament,
not even the king of England could make their lands sub-
ject to a tax claimed by a foreign sovereign, representing
the papacy. As a religious leader, he instructs his follow-
ers, called "poor priests," to pass from village to village and
city to city, and to preach, admonish and instruct the peo-
ple in "God's Lav/." He accomplishes the translation of the
Latin Vulgate into the English of his day, that his coun-
trymen might have the Scriptures in their own language.

Charles V, king of France, has the scriptures translat-
ed into the French language, for the enlightenment of his
people.

During this 14th century seventeen universities are
founded and they include the one at Geneva in Switzerland,
Heidelberg in Germany and Prague in Bohemia.

THE MORNING STAR

In 1401 John Huss of Bohemia, the Morning Star or

John Baptist of the Reformation, appears as "the voice of

one crying in the wilderness." His mother, left a widow in

early life, gave him to the service of the Lord as he lay in

BIDDLE UNIVERSITY, CHARLOTTE, N. C.

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UPLIFTING INFLUENCES. 71

the cradle, and later, like Hannah of old, took him to the
school at Prague.

When he became a preacher he found the Lord's vine-
yard a desert, the ministers of religion, the priests, ignor-
ant, worldly and dissolute, and the popes of that period no
better than the priests. The people, designedly chained
to the basest superstitions and following the example of
their leaders, have cast aside the restraints of chastity and
morality. His heart touched with pity at the sight of the
religious destitution of the people, his anger, like that
of Moses "waxed hot" against those, who should have given
them the gospel of their salvation. Encouraged by the ex-
ample of Wiclif to make known the truth, he affirms the
supreme authority of the scriptures, proclaims against the
abuse of the clergy and endeavors to regenerate the relig-
ious life of both priests and people. His glowing zeal for the
honor of God and the church move the people in a way
until then unknown ; but the priests, unwilling to reform or
longer endure his piercing protests, falsely accuse him of
heresy. In 1416, after fifteen years of self denying and he-
roic service, he is condemned at Constance and suffers mar-
tyrdom at the stake. A century later Luther, who imbibed
his heroic spirit, said of him, ''The gospel we now have was
born out of the blood of John Huss."

THE FIRST PRINTED BIBLE

The art of printing is invented and the Vulgate, a
Latin Bible, is the first book printed. It is issued in 1450
and is printed on a hand press at Mentz, Germany. Previous
to this event and date all books were in the form of costly
manuscripts and their number could be increased, only one
copy at a time, by penmen called copyists.

72 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

The mariners compass is invented and in 1492 Colum-
bus discovers America, and thirty years later Magellan sails
around the world.

During this 15th century the universities of Glasgow
and St. Andrews are founded in Scotland, Mentz and eight-
een others, on the continent.

III. THE REFORMATION
MARTIN LUTHER

"Arise, shine, for thy Light is Come."
In 1517, Martin Luther, the apostle of the German
nation, a man of learning and undaunted courage, whose
equal had not been known since the days of Paul, appears
as the valiant and steadfast leader of the Reformation in
Germany. In 1530 he becomes the founder of the Evan-
gelical Lutheran church, and aided by Melancthon, suc-
ceeds in translating and giving to the German people the
Bible in their own language, and in preparing the Augsburg
confession that has since served as a standard of faith and
bond of union for the Lutheran churches in Europe and
America.

Emotion and imaginative piety have become the hand-
maids of superstition; and patriotism, lacking courage, has
covered its face. He writes hymns and patriotic songs, that
inspire the German heart with loyalty to tlie truth and de-
votion to their Fatherland.

JOHN CALVIN
In 1527, John Calvin, a man of great learning and glow-
ing eloquence with burning zeal for the honor of his Master,
appears as the leader of the Reformation in France, but
nine years later, joins Farrel, the successor of the zealous
but fallen Zwingii, in Switzerland, and becomes head of the

UPLIFTING INFLUENCES 73

university at Geneva. He secures the adoption of a con-
stitution, that gave and also limited the authority of the
church to spiritual, and of the state to temporal matters;
and thus prepares the way for the separation anew of
church and state, and the enjoyment of civil and religious
liberty.

Educated for the priesthood, he is assigned a parish
and there obtained a copy of the Scriptures. When he dis-
covered the erroneous teaching and practices of the church
of Rome, he resigns his charge and completes a course in
law and another in theology in the University of Paris. He
becomes a man void of fear and is borne onward on the
wings of a living faith. Following the example of Paul in
his letters to the churches, and of Augustine, bishop of
Hippo (391-446) in North Africa, he undertakes to state
in a systematic form the great facts and doctrines of the
Bible, as one of the best means of opposing and overcoming
prevailing errors and corrupt practices in church and state.

He feels the Spirit of God moving him to blazon tri-
umphantly, the thought of God's sovereignty and man's
utter dependency, in order to dash in pieces the prevalent
selfrighteousness. His writings, by emphasizing the su-
preme authority of the Divine Word, have tended to raise
the moral standard of individuals and communities, and by
emphasizing the moral law, to lessen the distinction be-
tween the "sins" of the Bible and "crimes" of the civil law.
Their tendency has been to make the moral law the rule
for states as well as persons.

Presbyterianism, or government of the church by rul-
ing elders and presbyters as in the apostolic period, and Re-
publicanism, government by representatives, are advo-
cated with transcendent ability, and success. After the

74 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

death of Luther in 1546, Calvin exerts a great influence over
the thinking men of that notable period in Switzerland,
France, Germany, Holland, Italy, England and Scotland.
The young preachers, sent out from the university at
Geneva, establish 2,150 reformed congregations in these
countries, and in 1564, the last year of his life, the confes-
sion of the reformed churches in France is officially recog-
nized by the state.

An ardent and effective friend of civil liberty, he
makes the city of his adoption the nursery of a pure, noble
civilization; and the little republic of Geneva becomes the
sun of the European world. Animated by his example and
principles, William, prince of Orange, in 1580, establishes
the Dutch Republic in Holland, and it becomes "the first
free nation to put a girdle of empire around the world."

Bancroft, the historian, in summarizing the influences
that contributed to American Independence makes this
creditable reference to Calvinism.

"We are proud of the free states that fringe the At-
lantic. The Pilgrims of Plymouth were Calvinists, the best
influences in South Carolina came from the Calvinists of
France. William Penn was a disciple of the Huguenots;
the ships from Holland, that in 1614 brought the first col-
onists to Manhattan (New York), were filled with Calvin-
ists. He that will not honor the memory and respect the
influence of Calvin, knows but little of the origin of Amer-
ican Liberty."

WILLIAM TYNDALE

In 1530 Henry VIII aided by William Tyndale, the new

translator of the New Testament and Pentateuch, and in

1547 Edward VI, his successor, promote the establishment

of the Reformation in England. A change of rulers in 1553

leads to the martyrdom of Archbishop Cranmer, bishops,

UPLITING INLUENCES 75

Latimer and Ridley, and of John Rogers, the zealous re-
former — four of the noblest men England ever produced.

It was the noble-hearted, youthful Tyndale who, when
he came to perceive that the Word of God was the gift of
God to all mankind and all had a right to read it, that de-
clared to one of the clergy opposing him, "If God spares my
life, ere many years, I will cause a boy that driveth the plow
to know more of the Scriptures than you do."

JOHN KNOX

In 1560, John Knox, a pupil of Calvin, establishes the
Reformation in Scotland and under his leadership the church
of Scotland from the first adopts the system of doctrines
and the forms of worship and of government established
at Geneva.

HUGUENOTS OF FRANCE

In 1557, Admiral Coligny, taken prisoner at the
battle of St. Quentin, is confined at Gaud in Spain. Secur-
ing a copy of the Scriptures he reads it, and, after his re-
lease, becomes the enthusiastic leader of the Hu gue nots
of France. They represent the most moral, industrious and
intelligent of the French people, but those who love the
"Mass", which involves no moral obligation, hate them on
account of their chaste and devout lives. In 1572, when a
bloody persecution arises against them, they begin to emi-
grate to England, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and
the Colonies of North America.

It was Fenelon, one of the preachers of the Huguenots
in France under the feudal system, about the year 1710,
that gave utterance to the patriotic sentiment, emphasized
in this country since the rise of the great trusts, "That gov-
ernments exist and have a right to exist, only for the good

76 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

of the people, and that the many are not made for the use
and enjoyment of one."

THE BIBLE

In 1559 the Puritans protest against the act of uni-
formity passed by the English Parliament, imposing uni-
formity in religious worship.

The Bible has now come to be regarded as of so much
importance to the clergy and people, that as many as fifty-
five learned men during this 16th century devote their
time and attention to its exposition and illustration; and
twenty-seven new universities are established.

The Reformation is an insurrection or revolution against
ecclesiastical monarchy and absolute power in the church,
or spiritual matters. It establishes freedom of inquiry and
liberty of mind in Europe. The Bible and theology oc-
cupy the attention of the greatest minds, and every ques-
tion, whether philosophical, political or historical is consid-
ered from the religious point of view.

THE INQUISITION

In 1235, Pope Gregory IX, establishes the Inquisition,
a cruel court of inquiry for the suppression of those who
question the authority of the papacy to rule over them in
the church. It becomes very active in Italy, France, Spain,
Portugal and Ireland. It is not suppressed in France until
1834, after a period of six centuries.

In 1540, Ignatius Loy o la, an illiterate Spanish sold-
ier and priest, with papal authority, organizes the society
of the Jesuits, to require christians to renounce whatever
opinions may separate them, and, accepting the doctrines
and worship of the Roman Catholic church to acknowledge
the pope as Christ's sole vicegerent on earth.

UPLIFTING INFLUENCES 77

The Inquisition had previously proved, a bloody court
but this order is intended to make it more effective in sup-
pressing freedom of thought and action in matters relat-
ing to education and religion.

The events that occur during the period of the Inquisi-
tion are harrowing to relate. The historians of that period
have recorded, among others, the following executions and
massacres.

The duke of Alva, a Spanish general and persecutor
who died in 1582, condemned 36,000 of his countrymen to
be executed.

On the night of August 24, 1572, the anniversary of St.
Bartholomew, Charles IX, of France, by offering his sister
in marriage to the prince of Navarre, a Huguenot, as-
sembles at the nuptials in Paris five hundred of the most
prominent of the Huguenots, including Admiral Coligny,
their venerable leader, and, at a given signal an unparalleled
scene of horror ensues. Before the break of day, these
noble leaders and 10,000 of their faithful followers, in Paris
that night, are ruthlessly slaughtered. The horrid carnage,
against these defenceless friends of truth and right, is ex-
tended to Lyons, Orleans, Rouen and other cities until
50,000 are massacred at this particular time. The total loss
of France by the Inquisition has been estimated at 100,000
persons.

It is estimated that, during a period of seven years
Pope Julius II effected the massacre of 200,000 persons.
The Irish massacre at Ulster in 1641 cost Ireland the loss
of more than 100,000 of her best citizenship. It is estimated
that during a period of thirty years as many as 900,000
persons suffered martyrdom for the truth at the hands of
the secret order of Jesuits. During the entire period of

78 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

persecution by the papacy, a vast multitude, numbering
many millions in addition to these, were proscribed, ban-
ished, starved, suffocated, drowned, imprisoned for life,
buried alive, burned at the stake or assassinated.*

These dark historic events illustrate the price that
had to be paid for letting the light shine when darkness
prevailed in the high places of the world. Every martyr for
the truth was a torch bearer, whose light was extinguished.
The countries that suffered the greatest loss of their best
citizenship received a check of more than a century's
growth. The hand on the dial of progress was turned
backward wherever the blighting inquisition was felt. Its
blighting effects may yet be seen in Italy, Spain, Portugal,
Ireland and other countries where the papacy exerts a con-
trolling influence. Men, whose deeds are evil and they are
unwilling to repent, hate the light and endeavor to sup-
press it, by killing the torch bearer, "lest their deeds should
be reproved."

A knowledge of these conditions that prevailed at the
time is necessary to enable one to appreciate the import-
ance and greatness of the work of the Reformers and their
faithful followers during the 16th century in giving the
Bible to the people at the risk of their lives.
INDEPENDENT OWNERSHIP OF LAND

In 1620 the Pilgrim Fathers, bringing with them the

Bible as a precious treasure, establish a colony at Plym-
outh Rock, Massachusetts, where they hope to enjoy civil
and religious liberty to a fuller extent than they were able
to do elsewhere. Other colonies are established along the
Atlantic coast, from New England to Georgia, but no one
of them exerts a moral influence, quite so potent as this one,

*See Cottage Bible on Revelation XVII 6.

UPLIFTING INFLUENCES 79

in the events and councils that precede the laying of the
foundations for this great government.

They now enjoy individual or independent ownership
of lands, a privilege they did not enjoy under the feudal
system that had its rise in the 10th century and was con-
tinued until the French Revolution in 1799. Under the feudal
system the land was owned by dukes, earls and barons, who,
as members of the House of Lords, alone participated in
the government.

The orators of the pulpit, commonly called preachers
of the gospel, aside from the academies, colleges and uni-
versities, are the principal teachers of the people, and for
the purpose of instruction, they use but one book — the
Bible.

In 1635 other colonies of Puritans, under Roger Wil-
liams and Thomas Hooker settle Rhode Island and Connec-
ticut, respectively; and religious liberty is accorded Rhode
Island by its charter in 1663.

WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY
In 1648, the Westminster Assembly, convened by the
Long Parliament five years previous, and composed of 10
Lords, 20 Commoners and 121 Clergymen, representing the
churches in England, Scotland and Ireland, to prepare a
statement of the doctrines of the Bible, that might form the
basis of religious liberty and a bond of union of the Prot-
estant churches, completes its work, by publishing a Confes-
sion of Faith, Form of Government, Larger and Shorter
Catechisms. This confession does not give rise to any
new denominations nor result in any union; but it is re-
ceived and adopted as the standard of faith by all the
branches of the Presbyterian church in England, Scotland,

80 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Ireland and America. This confession is a natural sequence
of the authorized King James Version of the Bible in 1611.
In 1704, the newspaper is established in America; and
the first postoffice, in 1710.

RISE OF METHODISM

In 1738 John and Charles Wesley, young preachers of
the Church of England, having spent three years as mis-
sionaries among the Moravians in Georgia, return to Lon-
don, where, preaching the gospel as a proclamation of free
forgiveness to sinners, and with it, repentance and faith
in Christ, they soon find the pulpits of that city closed
against them. Supported by Lady Huntington and aided at
the first by George Whitefield, the most gifted of their
early associates and the first Methodist to preach in the
open air, they lay the foundations that soon develop into
the Methodist church, by establishing new congregations
and organizing them into classes, each under a local leader,
who by means of weekly testimonies, exhortations and cor-
rections was to look after the moral conduct and promote
the spiritual life of the members.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS AND MISSIONARY SOCIETIES

In 1782 when there are a sufficient number of printed
Bibles available for use, Robert Raikes of London makes
the suggestion and Sunday schools are established, that
the people in every worshipping congregation may co-op-
erate with their preachers in instructing the young and
rising generation in the great truths contained in the Bible.

From 1792 to 1800, the three great modern missionary
societies of England are organized, and during the next
ten years the first two are organized in this country.

In 1804, the British and Foreign Bible Society, and in

UPLIFTING INFLUENCES 81

1816, the American Bible Society, are established in Lon-
don and New York, to promote the multiplication and cir-
culation of the Bible.

CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
In 1776 the Declaration of Independence and Ameri-
can Revolution develop brave and patriotic leaders like
George Washington , Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams,
John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry, John
Witherspoon and others, who fight the battles and solve the
problems of civil and religious liberty in America. Liberty
and independence become familiar watchwords.

In 1787 when the Constitution of the United States
is adopted, civil and religious liberty is assured. Protec-
tion is to be given to religion but there shall be no taxation
for its support in church or school, and public education is
left to the several states.

Those, who framed this remarkable Constitution and
thus prepared the way for America to become the land of
"Liberty Enlightening the World," expressed their senti-
ments in regard to the urgent need of general instruction in
the Bible, in the ordinance for the government of the North-
west — the country north of the Ohio, as follows : "Religion,
morality and knowledge, being necessary to good govern-
ment and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means
of education shall forever be encouraged."

In 1841 Congress makes provision for grants of unoc-
cupied lands in the states for the better support of the
public schools and the establishment of state universities.

In 1862 Congress makes provision by further grants of
unoccupied lands for the establishment of State Agricultu-

82 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

ral Colleges. About this same period Normal Schools are
established in the states and they gradually take the place
of many of the Academies previously established by Christ-
ian people.

In 1863 Abraham Lincoln in order to maintain the Un-
ion "one and inseparable," becomes the emancipator of 4,-
000,000 slaves ; and America becomes "the land of the free"
as well as "the home of the brave."

The Boston News Letter, the first American newspap-
er is established in 1704, and the New England Courant, the
second one in 1720. The first Colonial post office is estab-
lished in 1710. In 1765, when the Stamp Act was passed,
there are forty newspapers published in America; and one
of the most influential of these is the Philadelphia Gazette,
by Benjamin Franklin, the man who "wrested the lightning
from heaven and scepters from tyrants."

The religious papers of the Presbyterian church are es-
tablished a half century later, and as follows: The Her-
ald and Presbyter, at Cincinnati in 1830; the Presbyterian
at Philadelphia in 1831 ; and the Interior, now Continent, at
Chicago in 1870. As a civilizing agency the press not only
rivals but increases many fold the power of the pulpit.

The public press, especially the religious newspaper,
noting the progress of events relating to the extension of
the Redeemer's Kingdom becomes a very potent factor in
promoting an enlightened Christian civilization.

UPLIFTING INVENTIONS
During the 19th century civilization receives a general
and wonderful uplift as a result of many important inven-
tions, that, to a greater or less extent, are enjoyed by all the
people. They include the gteam engine, steamer, railway,

UPLIFTING INFLUENCES 83

telegraph, telephone, phonograph, cylinder printing press
and folder, electric light and motor, gasoline and kerosene
engines, cotton gin, spinning jenny, sewing machine, mower,
reaper, steam thresher and separator, mammoth corn shelt-
er, tractor, gang plow, typewriter, automobile, bicycle, aero-
plane, vaccine, serum and wireless telegraph.

THE COMPARISON.

The intelligent American citizen of the present time
is the product of all these forces, to the extent he has come
under their uplifting influences. He is the product of cen-
turies of enlightened struggle and successful effort. If the
early Roman was proud of his history and privileges as a cit-
zen much more profoundly thankful may be the American of
this twentieth century.

The forces that have given him the uplift from the Dark
Ages include the Bible in his own language, the faithful
preacher of the Gospel, the Evangelical Reformer, the brave
Military Leader, the God-fearing Statesman, the Church,
Sunday school, the public, high and Normal school, the Aca-
demy, Christian College, Agricultural College, University,
ownership of land, civil and religious liberty.

What these institutions have done for the intelligent
American citizen they are now beginning to do for the
Freedman, as he is brought under their uplifting influence.
They suggest both to him and his friends, the greatest or
most important needs of the Freedmen.

VIII

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

IT EMPHASIZES THE BIBLE AS FUNDAMENTAL IN EDUCA-
TION.— A ZEALOUS MISSIONARY ORGANIZATION.— AS
CATHOLIC IN SPIRIT AS THE GOSPEL.

"Walk about Zion, tell the towers thereof; mark ye well
her bulwarks, that ye may tell it to the generation follow-
ing." — David.

1^^^^/fJHE Presbyterian Church has always stood
for Religion and Education — Religion as the
basis of true education, and Education as
the promoter of positive practical religion.

CHRISTIAN LEADERS.

The Presbyterian Church wishes to see the young peo-
ple of every generation provided with the best means for
their intellectual and spiritual progress. It wishes to see
them prepared, not merely for active and successful partici-
pation in the onward work of the world, but also in full and
hearty sympathy with the great work of Christ and his peo-
ple, for the spiritual salvation of the nations. It knows there
is no good reason, why a stirring leader of men should not
be a Christian ; nor why a Christian should not be eminently
successful, in taking his place among men as a forceful fac-
tor in the life of the world.

The Presbyterian Church believes in the system of
state schools from the primary, public and high schools, to
the University. These schools provide for general educa-

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 85

tion. Millions of children would never be in school, were
it not for these state provisions and for compulsory public
education. These schools are however not all perfect,
•ince they do not provide for moral and religious training,
the great underlying principles of reverence and righteous-
ness, that must enter into every life in order to fit it for
the performance of christian and patriotic duty.

The Presbyterian church takes a patriotic interest in
our whole public school system, and believes that all the
children should be trained in those that are under public
direction, so that all the children and youth of the nation
shall be a united, intelligent and patriotic body, fitted for
good citizenship.

At the same time it believes in special church institu-
tions of higher learning, that shall be adapted to train our
young people for intelligent leadership in the church, and
enable them to become doubly useful in the home, social
circle and in public life. Our christian academies and col-
leges are valuable institutions. These furnish to the church
and the world the greatest number of ministers, mission-
aries, college presidents and christian statesmen. Parents
everywhere, find these christian institutions furnish the best
adrantages, and that they are the safest and most economi-
cal. No institutions furnish higher or more profitable cul-
ture. They combine all that is best in real culture and edu-
cation of the intelligent faculties, with a true religious con-
ception of life ; so that all who yield to their best influences
go forth from them pure-hearted, stronger and better pre-
pared to engage in life's duties successfully; for they take
with them the personal assurance of the gracious presence
and abiding blessing of our Father in Heaven.

86 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

In a christian educational institution, the spirit of the
instructor is one that regards the student, as of more value
than the subject taught. Its aim including the christian
college, is not research, the work of a university, but to make
men. The ordinary branches that are taught are regarded
as instrumentalities, for making a well trained man of the
student.

The key to success in the battle of life, is found in the
struggle, which insures control of one's self. This is the
secret of a good education. In an important sense, all edu-
cation must be self -education. Professor Huxley gave good
emphasis to this thought when he wrote: "Perhaps the
most valuable result of all education, is the ability to make
yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be
done, whether you like it or not ; it is the first lesson which
ought to be learned, and, however early a man's training be-
gins, it is probably the last lesson he learns thoroughly."
An eminent educator used to say to his class : "He, who will
become a scholar, must learn to command his faculties."

The Presbyterian church honors God and exalts him
to the throne of absolute supremacy over all his creatures.
It honors Him by using the instrumentalities he has ap-
pointed. It receives the Bible, as the very word of God,
and adopts it as the only rule of faith and practice.

The Presbyterian church from the beginning has been
a zealous missionary organization. At the meeting of the
First General Assembly arrangements were made to send
the gospel to "the regions beyond,"— the frontiers and the
various tribes of American Indians. The agencies, then
organized as committees, have become the great Boards of
Home and Foreign Missions, that now receive and dis-
tribute, each, more than a million dollars annually.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 87

A ZEALOUS MISSIONARY ORGANIZATION.

It is gratifying to know that the colored people, al-
though emotional and demonstrative, have nevertheless
an intelligent appreciation of the views and methods of the
Presbyterian church.

A prominent minister of a southern church is quoted
as having said: "The Presbyterian church can do for the
colored people of the south what no other church can do."

FABLE OF PERSIAN TENT.

There is a Persian fable that tells of a young prince who
brought to his father a nutshell, which, when opened with
a spring, contained a little tent of such ingenious construc-
tion, that when spread in the nursery the children could
play under its folds,; when opened in the council chamber
the King and his counsellors could sit beneath its canopy;
when placed in the court yard the family and all the servants
could gather under its shade ; when pitched upon the plain,
where the soldiers were encamped, the entire army could
gather within its enclosure. It possessed the qualities of
boundless adaptability and expansiveness.

This little tent is a good symbol of our Presbyterian
system. It is all contained within the nutshell of the Gos-
pel. Open it in the nursery, and beneath its folds parents
and children sit with delight; spread it in the court yard,
and beneath its shadow the whole household assembles for
morning and evening worship ; open it in the village and it
becomes a church, under whose canopy the whole town may
worship. Open it upon the plain, and a great sacramental
army gathers under it. Send it to the heathen world, and
it becomes a great pavilion, that fills and covers the earth.

88 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

The Presbyterian church is as Catholic as the Gospel
in its spirit of brotherly love, and readiness to co-operate
with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ. It recognizes the
ordination of the Episcopalian and the baptism of the Bap-
tist. It joins cordially with those who would place the crown
upon the brow of Jesus by singing only the Psalms of David,
and responds with an approving echo to the hearty "Amen"
of the Methodists. It is capable of an expansion, that will
include all shades of our common humanity, and is work-
ing valiantly to usher in the day, when the prayer of our
Lord Jesus shall be fulfilled: "That they may be one; as
Thou, Father art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be
one in us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent
me."

"The Presbyterian church stands," says Rev. W. H.
Roberts, D. D., "as it has stood during its entire history, for
the unconditional sovereignty of God, for the Bible as the
only infallible rule of faith and life, for simplicity of wor-
ship, representative government, a high standard of christ-
ian living, liberty of conscience, popular education, mission-
ary activity and true Christian Catholicity."

President Benjamin Harrison said of it: "The Presby-
terian church has been steadfast for liberty, and it has kept
steadfast for education. It has stood as stiff as a steel beam
for the faith delivered to our fathers, and it still stands with
steadfastness for that essential doctrine — the inspired
Word. It is not an illiberal church. There is no body of
Christians in the world, that opens its arms wider to all who
love the Master. Though it has made no boast or shout,
it has yet been an aggressive missionary church from the
beginning."

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY.
Lincoln University in Chester county, Pennsylvania,
was established in 1854 under the leadership of Rev. John
M. Dickey, D. D., pastor of the Presbyterian church of Ox-
ford, for the classical and theological education of negroes.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The extent and thoroughness of the courses of instruction
at this institution have been amply justified by the success
of its graduates ; many in the ministry, and others, in found-
ing similar institutions of a high grade in the south, as at
Columbia, S. C, Salisbury, N. C, Holly Springs, Miss., and
a number of other places. Its aim is to furnish trained pro-
fessional leaders, and it is accomplishing this object in splen-
did form. Established before the Freedmen's Board, it
has continued to be maintained without its aid.

THE PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF MIS-
SIONS FOR FREEDMEN.

ORGANIZED IN 1865.— WOMEN ENLISTED IN 1884.— BOARDING
SCHOOLS.— TRAINS CHRISTIAN LEADERS.— WORTHY OF
GENEROUS SUPPORT AND ENDOWMENT.

'"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath ap-
pointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; he hath sent
me to heal the broken-hearted and preach deliverance to the
captives." — Luke.

j^p^fypHE emancipation of 4,000,000 slaves, at the
\( close of the Civil War, was the sudden op-
* ening of a new and a vast field of oppor-
tunity and duty, before the Christian
^ churches of this land.
The education and moral elevation of the Freedmen be-
came in both church and state, a very serious and vital
question. Ever since the foundation of the government,
the church, through the voluntary establishment of acad-
emies and colleges, has been co-operating with the civil
government, in the effort to develop in all parts of our land
an intelligent christian citizenship.

The Presbyterian Board of Missions for Freedmen was
organized as a committee in 1865, the last year of the Civil
War. In 1882 this committee was made and incorporated
as a Board. Its work then assumed a more permanent
form and the contributions to its work began to be greatly
increased. The contributions received that year were $68,-

THE LATE MRS. V. P. BOGGS
Secretary Women's Department, Freedmen's Board

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PRESBYTERIAN BOARD FOR FREEDMEN 91

268.08. In 1913 the amount received to be applied to this
work was $323,899.29. The amount of property held by it
and used for educational and church purposes is $1,831,-

610.09. The office of the board is at Pittsburgh, Pennsylva-
nia.

WOMEN ENLISTED IN 1884

In 1884 the interest of the women of the Presbyterian
church was enlisted in behalf of the women and girls among
the Freedmen. The progress of the work of the Women's
Missionary societies, in establishing and maintaining edu-
cational institutions, is worthy of special mention.

During their first year they contributed $3,010; the
second, $7,966 ; the third, $17,075 ; and in 1913, $85,236.09.

In raising this last amount 675 Sunday schools and
1082 Young People's societies co-operated with 3591 Wo-
men's societies.

To the women, almost entirely, is due the establish-
ment and maintenance of most of the boarding schools now
supported by the board. The names of some of the most
consecrated workers and liberal contributors have been
commemorated in the names of most of these institutions.
That this fact may be noted and as a matter of general in-
formation, the following list of twenty-four of them is
given.

LIST OF BOARDING SCHOOLS
I. FOR MALES ONLY

Biddle University, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Harbison Agricultural College, Irmo, South Carolina.

II. SEMINARIES FOR GIRLS ONLY

Scotia, Concord N. C.
Mary Allen, Crockett, Texas.
Ingleside, Burkeville, Va.
Mary Holmes, West Point, Miss.
Barber Memorial, Anniston, Ala.

92 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

III. CO-EDUCATIONAL

Allendale Academy, Allendale, S. C.
Albion Academy, Franklinton, N. C.
Alice Lee Elliott Memorial, Valliant, Okla.
Arkadelphia Academy, Arkadelphia, Ark.
Boggs Academy, Keyesville, Ga.
Brainard Institute, Chester, S. C.
Emerson Industrial Institute, Blackville, S. C.
Fee Memorial Institute, Nelson, Ky.
Gillespie Normal, Cordele, Ga.
Haines Industrial, Augusta, Ga.
Kendall Institute, Sumpter, S. C.
Mary Potter Memorial, Oxford, N. C.
Monticello Academy, Monticello, Ark.
Cotton Plant Academy, Cotton Plant, Ark.
Coulter Memorial Academy, Cheraw, N. C.
Redstone Academy, Lumberton, N. C.
Swift Memorial College, Rogersville, Tenn.

In addition to those in these boarding schools, 112
teachers are employed in the maintenance of this same
number of day schools.

In his last annual report, April 1, 1913, Rev. E. P.
Cowan, D. D., secretary of the Board submitted the follow-
ing interesting summary of its v/ork.

"The Freedmen's Board has ever kept in mind the one
great fact that its work is, first, last and all the time, mis-
sionary work. We have aimed from the very beginning to
follow a course that would commend itself to every man's
conscience in the sight of God. We have always sought the
counsel and advice of good men on the field, at times nearer
our work than ourselves, and better able to judge of its con-
dition. We have endeavored to exert such an influence over
the people among whom we have labored, so that no one
could object to it except he were a heathen or an infidel. As
a consequence, all the opposition we have met with in all
these years has been as nothing, compared with the sym-
pathy and encouragement we have received from good men.

"We have this year issued our forty-eighth annual re-
port. This annual report shows that we have now in con-
nection with our church, four colored Synods, composed of
sixteen colored Presbyteries, in which there are four hun-
dred and four church organizations, with twenty-six thous-

PRESBYTERIAN BOARD FOR FREEDMEN 93

and, one hundred and thirty-two communicants, two hun-
dred and eighty-nine ordained ministers of the Gospel, and
thirteen hundred and seventeen ruling elders.

"Within these Presbyteries, there are one hundred and
thirty-six schools, and in these schools there are 16,427
pupils, taught by 448 teachers, all of whom are professing
christians, and by a rule of the Board, members of the Pres-
byterian church.

"In all these schools, the Word of God and the Shorter
Catechism are regularly and daily taught. On the mind
and heart of every living soul that passes in and out of our
schools, there is impressed the fundamental and far-reach-
ing truth, that the chief end of man is to glorify God and
to enjoy Him forever, and that the Word of God, which is
contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments,
is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy
Him.

'These churches and schools, and ministers and teach-
ers — 588 workers in all — are housed in 470 buildings, of
which 300 are church buildings, 70 are manses, and 100 are
school buildings. The value of these buildings is estimated
at $1,561,000. The cry comes up to us without ceasing for
either more room, or better accommodations. Should we
answer these cries promptly, and without regard to the
question as to where the money is to come from, we should
be hopelessly overwhelmed with debt within one year."

TRAINS CHRISTIAN LEADERS

The Freedmen are naturally religious and hitherto
their churches have been their principal social centers.
Under uneducated leadership, the only kind possible at
first, their church life was characterized by a loose moral
standard, poor business methods and boisterous worship.
In many places it still lacks a realization of the real needs
of the race.

"The true standard bearers of better things have been
the relatively few ministers and churches that have been
noted for their educated ministry, restraint in worship,
rigid morals and careful supervision."

94 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

The wisdom of the policy of training capable christian

leaders, was emphasized at the last General Assembly at

Atlanta, by Rev. H. A. Johnson, D. D., in the following

pertinent paragraph:

"The vital need of the negro people is a trained chris-
tian leadership. Their problem can never be solved by ele-
mentary education for the masses, or industrial training for
those who enter the trades and till the farm. They must
have thoroughly trained christian teachers and ministers
of the Gospel and should also have the other professions
represented among their leaders. The men, who are con-
spicuous leaders among the negroes in industrial training
are publicly saying that they expect such organizations as
the Presbyterian church to furnish the ministers and teach-
ers for their people, while they furnish the farmers, the
carpenters and other tradesmen. The task of furnishing
this trained leadership is being bravely attempted by our
Board within the limitations of their available resources.
Every intelligent student of the problem must realize how
supremely important is this phase of the work."

WORTHY OF GENEROUS SUPPORT AND ENDOW-
MENT

The Board of Missions for Frsedmen of the Presby-
terian church merits the intelligent sympathy and cordial
co-operation not only of our whole church but of all the
friends who favor christian education among the dependent
colored people in the south part of our land.

It educates ministers and teachers, and supports them
in their work. It builds academies, seminaries and colleges,
and aids in the erection of churches and manses. Its 24
boarding schools, having normal and industrial depart-
ments, are distributed so that there is one or more in every
southern state.

It now owns and controls school, church and manse
properties that represent a value of one and a half million
dollars.

PRESBYTERIAN BOARD FOR FREEDMEN 95

Its permanent investments, that bring an annual in-
come for the promotion of its work however, are yet only
$200,202.50. In these days of big business, the evidence
of unusual prosperity, it ought to have an endowment of
one million dollars.

Education is the most costly of all philanthropic en-
terprises. The following reason recently expressed for a
large endowment of the College Board applies with equal
force to the Freedmen's Board.

"A million dollar corporation is now considerably more
than twice as efficient, as an instrument to accomplish re-
sults than one of a half million. In this day of large things
the men who are interested in education, prefer to employ as
their agent, an organization whose resources are large
enough to place its permanent and financial stability beyond
question. A bank with a million dollars of capital has consid-
erable advantage over one having only a quarter of a million.
The law, 'To him that hath shall be given,' still prevails
among the children of men."

The members of the Freedmen's Board have been se-
lected, because of their manifest interest in the educational
and spiritual welfare of the colored people; and they are
conscientiously striving, to the best of their ability, to pro-
mote the interests of the Freedmen, in behalf of the great
body of generous hearted christian people whom they rep-
resent.

The work of the Freedmen's Board has hitherto by
its charter been limited to the Freedmen in southern
states. At the next General Assembly, an effort will be
made to extend its work, so as to include the negroes in the
northern states.

SPECIAL BENEFACTORS.

GEORGE PEABODY.— JOHN F. SLATER.— DANIEL HAND.—
EMILINE CUSHING. — ANNA T. JEANES. — CAROLINE
PHELPS STOKES.— JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER.— NEGRO
PHILANTHROPISTS.

"He loveth our nation and hath built us a synagogue."

?HE educational needs of the Freedman have
called forth several large benefactions from
individual contributors. George Peabody
of Danvers, Massachusetts, in 1867 and
1869, established a fund of $3,500,000 for
the promotion of general education in the South. One half
of this amount happened to prove unavailable. A large
part of the remainder was used in the establishment and
endowment of the Peabody teachers college for whites at
Nashville, Tennessee, leaving only a small part of it for use
among the Freedmen.

In 1882, John F. Slater of Norwich, Connecticut, created
a trust fund of $1,000,000, for the purpose of uplifting the
emancipated population of the southern states and their
posterity. The income of this fund, now increased to $1,-
500,000, is used to promote normal and industrial education.
In 1888 Daniel Hand of Guilford, Connecticut, gave the
American Missionary Association of the Congregational
church $1,000,000, and a residuary estate of $500,000 to aid
in the education of the Negro.

SPECIAL BENEFACTORS 97

In 1895 Miss Emiline Cushing of Boston left $23,000
for the same object.

In 1907 Miss Anna T. Jeanes of Philadelphia, Pa., left
an endowment fund of $1,000,000 to aid in maintaining ele-
mentary schools among the Freedmen. Booker T. Wash-
ington was named as one of two trustees of this fund. Its
distribution contemplates a three fold plan. First, some-
thing additional is to be secured from the school authorities.
Second, the co-operative efforts of the people are essential.
Third, the effectiveness of the school is improved and its
neighborhood influence widened by the introduction of in-
dustrial features. In 1911, the income from this fund was
so widely distributed as to reach the work in as many as
111 counties in 12 different states; and summer schools
were aided in six of them.

In 1909 Miss Caroline Phelps Stokes created a fund of
$300,000 for the erection of tenement houses in New York
City; and the education of negroes and Indians, through
industrial schools.

From 1902 to 1909, John D. Rockefeller gave $53,000,-
000 to establish a fund for the promotion of general educa-
tion in the United States. The schools of the Freedmen
have received from this fund $532,015.

NEGRO PHILANTHROPISTS

The Freedmen have fallen heir to the estates of some
free negroes, that became wealthy. It is interesting to note
the following ones.

Tommy Lafon of New Orleans, a dealer in dry goods
and real estate, in 1893, left for charitable purposes among
his people, an estate appraised at $413,000.

98 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Mary E. Shaw of New York City, left Tuskeegee Col-
ored Institute $38,000.

Col. John McKee of Philadelphia, at his death in 1902,
left about $1,000,000 worth of property for education, in-
cluding a provision for the establishment of a college to
bear his name.

Anna Marie Fisher, of Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1911, hav-
ing an estate of $65,000 left $26,000 for educational insti-
tutions.

The successful achievement of these four free Negroes
and their generous regard for the welfare of their kin-folks,
suggest the possibilities of which they are capable, as fin-
anciers and philanthropists, when circumstances are fav-
orable.

PART II

OAK HILL INDUSTRIAL
ACADEMY

"It is said that the Athenians erected a statue to ^sop,
(564 B. C), who was born a slave; or as Phaedrus phrases

it:

"Thev placed the slave upon an eternal pedestal,"

"Sir, for what the enfranchised slaves did for the cause of
constitutional liberty in this country, the American people
should imitate the Athenians and, by training the slave for
usefulness, place him upon an eternal pedestal. Their con-
duct has been beyond all praise.

"They have been patient and docile; they have been loyal
to their masters, to the country, and to those with whom
thev are associated; but, as I said before, no other people
ever endured patiently such injustice and wrong. Despotism
makes nihilists; tyranny makes socialists and communists;
and injustice is the great manufacturer of dynamite. The
thief robs himself; the adulterer pollutes himself; and the
murderer inflicts a deeper wound upon himself than that
which slavs his victim.

"If my voice can reach this proscribed and unfortunate
class, I appeal to them to continue, as they have begun, to
endure to the end; and thus to commend themselves to the
favorable judgment of mankind; and to rely for their safety
upon the ultimate appeal to the conscience of the human
race." -John J. Ingalls, U. S. Senate, 1890.

(100)

THE NATIVE OAK HILL SCHOOL

1876-1886

CHURCH ORGANIZED JUNE 29, 1869.— SUNDAY SCHOOL IN
1876.— SCHOOL HOUSE, 1878.— OLD LOG HOUSE, 1884.—
APPEAL FOR ACADEMY.

"The vineyard which thy right hand hath planted."
"Who hath despised the day of small things?"

v^xf^/pS the preaching of the gospel and the or-
A \|( ganization of a church preceded the estab-
l\ oil lishment of the school, the following facts
in regard to the church are first noted.

THE OAK HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The Oak Hill Presbyterian church was organized about
June 29, 1869, with six members, namely, Henry Critten-
den, who was ordained an elder, Teena Crittenden, his wife,
J. Ross Shoals and his wife Hettie Shoals, Emily Harris and
Reindeer Clark.

The services at first were held in the home and later
in an arbor at the home of Henry Crittenden, one mile east
of the present town of Valliant, and now known as the home
of James and Johnson Shoals. After a few years the place
of meeting was transferred to an arbor about two miles
southwest of Crittenden's, and two years later, 1878, to the
Oak Hill schoolhouse, a frame building erected that year
on the main east and west road north of Red river. It was

(101)

102 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

located on the southwest quarter of section 27, near the
site on which Valliant was located in 1902. It is reported,
that Henry Crittenden was the principal contributor to-
wards the erection of this building. His cash income though
meager was greater than others and he gave freely in order
that a suitable place might be provided both for public
worship and a day school for the neighborhood.

Parson Charles W. Stewart of Doaksville, a representa-
tive of the last generation of those who were slaves to the
Indians, was the minister in charge from the time of organ-
ization until the spring of 1893, when he retired from the
ministry. He was succeeded at Oak Hill by Rev. Edward
G. Haymaker, the superintendent of the academy, who con-
tinued a period of eleven years. He was succeeded by Rev.
R. E. Flickinger, whose pastorate of nearly eight years
was eventfully ended at the dedication of the new colored
Presbyterian church at Garvin, on October 3, 1912. Rev.
William H. Carroll, relinquishing his work on that same
day as the first resident pastor of the Garvin church be-
came the immediate successor at Oak Hill.

Those who served as elders of the Oak Hill church and
are now dead were Henry Crittenden, J. Ross Shoals, Rob-
ert Hall, Jack A. Thomas and Samuel A. Folsom. The elders
in 1912 are James R. Crabtree, Matt Brown and Solomon
H. Buchanan.

In 1912 a site for a new chapel, intended only for the
uses of the local congregation, was purchased in a suburb
on the west side of Valliant. The trustees chosen at this
time were Mitchell S. Stewart, formerly an elder, Matt
Brown and James R. Crabtree. They were duly authorized
to incorporate and manage the erection of the new church
building.

THE NATIVE OAK HILL SCHOOL 103

THE NATIVE OAK HILL SCHOOL

The Negroes who were slaves of the Indians, about the
year 1880 were enrolled and adopted as citizens, by the
tribes to which they respectively belonged, and they then
became entitled to a small part of their public school funds.
The amount accorded the Choctaw Freedmen was about
one dollar a year for a pupil that was enrolled as attending
school. This made possible the employment of a teacher
for a short term of three months in the vicinity of a few
villages, where a large enrollment could be secured, but left
unsupplied the greater number living in the sparsely settled
neighborhoods.

Our Board of Missions for Freedmen, ever since its or-
ganization, has made it the duty of every negro minister
commissioned by it, to maintain a school in their respective
chapels several months each year, in order that the children
of the community might have an opportunity to learn to
rea'd the Bible.

The first native teacher in the Oak Hill congregation
was J. Ross Shoals, one of the elders of the church, who had
a large family and principally of boys. His work was that
of a Bible reader or Sunday School teacher. About the year
1876 he began to hold meetings in the south arbor on Sab-
bath afternoons for the purpose of teaching both old and
young to read the Bible with him. Nathan Mattison suc-
ceeded him the next year at the same place as a Sabbath
school teacher.

In 1878, George M. Dallas, a carpenter, was employed
to build a small frame school house on the southwest quar-
ter of section 27, and after its completion he taught that
year the first term of week day school among the colored
people of that section. Others that succeeded Dallas, as

104 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

teachers in this frame school house, were Mary Rounds,
Henry Williams and Lee Bibbs.

OLD LOG HOUSE

In 1884, Henry Williams transferred the day school
to the "old log house" on the northeast quarter of section
29, a mile and a half northwest of the school house. The
motive for this change was the fact there was no supply
of good water near the school house, while at the new loca-
tion there was a good well and a large vacant building avail-
able for use.

Robin Clark, its owner and last occupant was an active
member of the Oak Hill church.

After occupying this building one or two years he
moved to another one near Red river and generously tend-
ered the free use of this one for the Oak Hill school. In
1885 Henry Friarson, another native teacher, taught the
school in this same "old log house."

All of these native teachers did the best they could,
' but deeply felt their insufficiency for the task laid on them,
by the pressure of an urgent necessity. All had personal
knowledge of the existence and unusual privileges afforded
the children and youth of the Choctaws at Wheelock and
Spencer Academics. It was also easy for them to see that
as farmers they succeeded as well in securing good results
from the cultivation of the soil as many of their Choctaw
neighbors, and this fact tended to increase their desire to
have a "fair chance" and equal share in the matter of ed-
ucational privileges for their children.

The Oak Hill church and school happened to be near
the center of the widely scattered group of a half dozen
churches that formed the monthly circuit of Parson

THE NATIVE OAK HILL SCHOOL 105

Charles W. Stewart. All who were interested in securing
a good mission school approved this location as the most
convenient for all of them, and, heartily uniting in an ap-
peal for one, pledged their united support of it, when it
should be established.

APPEAL FOR OAK HILL

The appeal of the Choctaw Freedmen was presented to
the Presbyterian Board of Missions for Freedmen by Rev.
Alexander Reid and Rev. John Edwards, the missionaries
in charge of the Indian work at Spencer and Wheelock
Academies, respectively.

In the early days many of the old Negroes were located
near these educational institutions and they were sometimes
sent by their masters to work for the missionaries. These
men living in their midst had opportunity to witness their
extreme poverty, utter ignorance and general degradation.
They also heard their personal appeals for the light of
knowledge and Bible truth. Their sympathetic interest was
awakened and began to manifest itself towards them.

They were occasionally accorded the privilege of at-
tending religious services, and at Doaksville, during the
ministry of Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury, were permitted to hold
occasional Sabbath afternoon meetings in the Choctaw
church. Primers, catechisms and testaments were some-
times presented to them, and in this way a few of them
learned to read the Bible. The kindly interest of these mis-
sionaries won their esteem and confidence and awakened in
many of them an abiding love and affection for the Presby-
terian church.

It is related that when one of them was asked to unite
with another church because it was "more free" he re-
plied, "You are too free for me, I need a stricter church. I

106 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

believe in staying by the old missionaries. They were our
friends when we were slaves. They treated us well and did
us good, and I mean to stay by their church as long as I
live."

SLAVERY AMONG INDIANS

The state of religion among all of the people, both In-
dians and Negroes, was low, "very low". One of the mis-
sionaries described that of the Negroes as being like that
of the Samaritans. 'They fear the Lord and serve their
own gods. As their fathers did, so do they. Their condition
is bad, morally and religiously."

It could not easily have been otherwise. The tendency
of slavery, under the most favorable conditions has always
been in the direction of a low standard of morals and life.
Slavery to untutored Indians, in a sparsely settled timber
country, suggests the most deplorable condition imagin-
able. Such a slave lacking the example of intelligence and
uprightness, often common among white masters, was sub-
jected to generations of training in every phase of depravity
and had no incentive whatever to live a better life.

When, however, these slaves of the Indians were ac-
corded their freedom and became entitled to a part of the
public school fund of the Choctaws, they manifested an
earnest desire to have ministers and teachers sent them,
that they might have churches and schools of their own.

Their great need was a boarding school where the boys
and girls especially those in the remote and neglected rural
districts, could be taken from their homes and trained
under the personal supervision of christian teachers, to a
higher standard of living, and, some at least, become fitted
to serve as teachers of their own people.

XII

ERA OF ELIZA HARTFORD

1886-1888.

THE HEROIC PIONEER. — FEBRUARY 14, 1886. — BOARDING
SCHOOL, APRIL 15th, 1886.— PRISCILLA G. HAYMAKER.—
NEW SCHOOL BUILDING IN 1887.— ANNA E. CAMPBELL.

"I'll go where you want me to go."

l^^^/f.HE story of Oak Hill as an Industrial Acad-
TT »" em y> begins with the work of Miss Eliza

Hartford of Steubenville, Ohio, the first
white teacher in the "Old Log house". She
was commissioned by the Freedmen's
Board in January, 1886, and was sent in response to the ap-
peal of the colored people of the Choctaw Nation.

The missionaries, Reid and Edwards, had commended
as the most favorable location for such an educational in-
stitution the rural neighborhood occupied by the Oak Hill
church, two miles east of Clear Creek in the valley of Red
river.

They referred to this as a "pivotal location" for such
a school, and wrote, "Here we want to see a good school es-
tablished that shall grow into a normal academy. The lo-
cation is central and healthful. If in charge of white teach-
ers, such a school will attract scholars from all the other
settlements."

(107)

108 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

HEROIC PIONEER

Oak Hill, like other schools of its kind, had its early
period of heroic effort and self -sacrificing toil, before the
usual comforts and conveniences of civilized life could be
enjoyed. This was true of the entire period of service on
the part of Miss Hartford, February 1886 to August 1888.

When she arrived at Wheelock, where she met a friend,
Miss Elder, engaged in teaching the Indians, Rev. John Ed-
wards served as an aid, in making a tour of inspection over
the field, of which she was to be the missionary teacher and
physician. This journey was made on horseback, which
was the most speedy and comfortable mode of travel, over
the rough and winding trails through the timber at that
time.

As a result of this survey and a call at the home of
Henry Crittenden, an elder of the Oak Hill church and a
"local trustee of the neighborhood, under the Choctaw law,"
it was decided that the "old log house" was the best place to
establish the school ; and the best place for her to live was
at the home of the colored elder, Henry Crittenden, three
miles east. She was expected to make her daily journeys
on horseback; and, in connection with the work of the
school, to visit the people at their homes, furnish medicines
for the sick and give instruction in regard to their care.

In her description of the old log house Miss Hartford
states, "The windows are without sash or glass and the
roof full of holes. The chimneys are of hewn : .tone, strong
and massive. The house is of hewed logs, two stories in
height and stands high in the midst of a fine locust grove.
The well of water near it seems as famous as Jacob's well."

At the request of Mr. Edwards the colored people in
the vicinity, after repairing the roof and windows, clean-

Eliza Hartford.

Anna E. Campbell.

Priscilla G. Haymaker. Rev. Edward G. Haymaker

108

The Girls' Hall, 1889-1910.

The Old Farm House.

The Pioneer Home of a Choctaw Chief, Leflore, and of the Oak Hill School.

ERA OF ELIZA HARTFORD 109

ed, scrubbed and whitewashed the inside of this old log
house, and thus prepared it for its new and noble era of
usefulness.

FEBRUARY 14, 1886

On Sabbath, February 14,1886, one week after the ar-
rival of Miss Hartford, her first meeting was held and a
Sunday school was organized under her leadership. At its
close a prayermeeting was held in which she read the
scriptures, the hymns and a sermon.

On Tuesday, February 16, 1886, the school was opened
with seven pupils. The opening exercises consisted in the
reading of a chapter by the new teacher, the singing of a
hymn and prayer by elder Henry Crittenden. The latter
was profoundly impressed with the fact that, in the auspic-
ious opening of the school that morning, the colored peo-
ple of that section were realizing the answer to their oft

•

repeated prayers, the fulfilment of their long delayed hopes.

The new teacher had never heard such a prayer in any
school she ever attended. He thanked Our Heavenly
Father, "That the prayers of his people were answered. In
their bondage they had cried unto Him and He had heard
their cry. In their ignorance and darkness they had asked
for light and the light had come." He prayed for the
teacher that "God would give her wisdom and enable her to
be faithful." He prayed for the children and their parents
that, "they might be able to see and appreciate what God
had done for them," and for the school, "that it might abide
with them and become an uplifting power to them and their
children."

On the following Monday the number of the pupils
had increased to fourteen. The chills were prevalent and
frequently half the pupils would be seen huddling around

110 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

the log fire in the chimney fireplace, and making a chatter-
ing noise with their teeth.

A BOARDING SCHOOL

On April 15, 1886, Miss Hartford began to live at the
school building and some of the pupils brought their corn-
meal so they might live "wid de teacher," and Oak Hill be-
came a boarding school with an enrollment of 24 pupils.

At a prayer meeting of the women held soon after this
event, it was decided to build a kitchen at the west end of
the log house so "de chillen might have a place to bake and
eat their corn bread." While they were building this
kitchen a man who saw them said to Miss Hartford, "It
makes the men feel mighty mean to see the women doing
that work." She repeated to him the following words from
the third verse of the fourth chapter of Paul's epistle to the
Philippians: "I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help
those women which labor with me in the gospel, whose
names are in the book of life." The result was very grat-
ifying. He got his team, hauled the rest of the materials
and then helped them to complete it. This improvement in-
creased the facilities and also the general interest in the
school.

In September 1886 pupils began to arrive from dis-
tant places and whilst some of them were retained in the
building others were located among the friends in the
neighborhood. In February following, all the available
room in the log house was occupied and the work of the
school proving too great for one teacher, another one was
requested. The institution had now acquired the name,
"Oak Hill Industrial School."

ERA OF ELIZA HARTFORD HI

PRISCILLA G. HAYMAKER

In April 1887, Miss Priscilla G. Haymaker, of New-
lonsburg, Westmoreland county, Pa., arrived to aid in the
management of the school, and this event was the occasion
for another thanksgiving on the part of the people. At a
meeting then held they decided to build a house that
could be used for a school house and chapel, using the mat-
erials in the Oak Hill school building of 1878. The men
agreed to donate all the work they could, and, with ox
teams, delivered the lumber in the old building. The Board
gave $50.00 and Rev. John Edwards $25.00 towards the
purchase of new lumber. It fell to the lot of Miss Hartford
and Elder Henry Crittenden to pay some of the balances
due on this building, and their contributions were remark-
ably large ones for those early days.

Miss Hartford, at the time this building was undertak-
en, was given special permission to solicit money to furnish
the new school building, to fit up the "old log house" for a
boarding house, and scholarships of $15.00 each. She went
east and returning in August found the new building ready
for the desks.

Miss Haymaker solicited and received the promise of
a large bell that had been used by her father on the old
farm at Newlonsburg, Pa., that the people might rejoice
over the possession not merely of a chapel and school build-
ing, but one "wid a bell."

The time appointed for opening the fall term was now
near at hand and yet the old log house was not ready for the
boarders, that were expected soon to fill it, owing to the fact
no workmen could be found to do the work. Miss Hartford
and Miss Haymaker, with the help of a boy, made the bed-
steads and tables with their own hands, the latter mani-

112 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

festing considerable skill in the use of the saw and hammer.
On September 1st the boarders began to arrive and on the
15th, 60 pupils were enrolled of whom 36 were boarders.
Every boarder was expected to bring 12 bushels of corn, and
with scholarships of $15.00 each, there was no danger of
starving. The girls were required to do the housework and
the boys to provide the wood. Miss Haymaker was not used
to roughing it and before the close of November she was
compelled to return to her home, broken in health.

ANNA E. CAMPBELL

Miss Anna E. Campbell of Midway, Pa., who had pre-
viously been sent for, arrived at Oak Hill two days after the
departure of Miss Haymaker, and with her the long expect-
ed bell, from the old home of the latter. The following Sab-
bath, the first one on which they were called together for
worship by the clarion tones of the new bell, was another
glad day for the people, and they extended to Miss Campbell
a very cordial welcome, as the new assistant of Miss Hart-
ford. She remained until the end of the term, June 15th,
1888.

Miss Campbell held temperance meetings every Sat-
urday and some objected to them, because "dey was teachin
de risin generashun dat it was wrong to drink whiskey or
use tobacco, while de Bible said it was good for de stomik."
During this second term six of the pupils, repeated the
Catechism and nine united with the church.

During the summer of 1888 Miss Hartford remained
alone to take care of the homeless children, and maintain
the Sunday school and prayer meeting. Other parents be-
gan to call and plead for room for their children. Believing
the time had come when another and a larger building was

ERA OF ELIZA HARTFORD

113

necessary in order to receive them, she rode a long distance
to confer with a carpenter, in regard to the erection and
cost of a frame building for boarders. He arranged to call
and make an estimate, but while she waited for him, her
health began to fail. The exposures, burdens and priva-
tions proved too great for her, single handed and alone, and
she felt constrained to return to her home. She was un-
able to return to Oak Hill and died at Richmond, Ohio, July
9, 1901. Miss Campbell was also unable to return and the
school was left without a teacher.

XIII

EARLY REMINISCENCES

ELIZA HARTFORD. — PRISCILLA G. HAYMAKER. — ANNA E.
CAMPBELL.— THE NIGHT SCHOOL.— HARDSHIPS AT OAK
HILL.

"Books are keys to wisdom's treasures;
Books are gates to lands of pleasure;
Books are paths that upward lead;
Books are friends. Come let us read."

>HE following reminiscences, gleaned from
letters written by these three heroic young
lady teachers, will be read with interest.
They discover in their own language, their
feelings of hopefulness and loyalty while
coping with unexpected embarrassments and unusual pri-
vations. Single handed and alone they penetrated the wilds
of Indian Territory to a secluded spot, where they were a
half day's ride from their nearest white friends, and thir-
ty-five miles from the railway.

Holding aloft the Bible, the true standard of the cross,
they rallied the ignorant and uncivilized natives appreciat-
ingly around it, more worthily and long before our famous
explorers decorated the North Pole with the American flag.
The mail was carried once a week from Clarksville to
Wheelock, ten miles east, the nearest post office.

TEACHING ELIZABETH WASHING
At the end of her first year, March 19, 1887, when she
was still working alone, having school, Sunday school,

(114)

EARLY REMINISCENCES 115

preaching and boarding house all in the old log house, Miss
Hartford wrote to a friend, as follows:

"This ought to be a resting day for me, but I am al-
ways tired on Saturday. This has been my wash day and I
will give you my experience with a girl of fifteen, who is very
ignorant about the simplest things relating to work. It is
useless to tell Elizabeth how to do any work, unless one goes
with her and shows her every change. Today I had her
wash her own clothes by my side, while I washed mine, to
show her how, and how speedily she ought to do her own
work. The only way to succeed in having them work is to
work with them.

'These poor Freedmen have a just claim on the church.
They are far below their white brothers and sisters, but
they are not to be blamed for it. Slavery has made them
so, and we must do something to lift them up. This how-
ever, will not be done by sending them to expensive
schools, to make ladies and gentlemen of them, but where
they will learn to work thoughtfully and be taught the
pure religion of the Bible. The worst ones among them are
very religious in their way.

A "FEELIN' MEETIN' "

"On last Sabbath we had an example of the way they
like to do things. Their old black preacher always preaches
on the Sunday school lesson. He comes early to hear what
I say and then 'enlarges on de subjec in de afternoon.' I
cannot tell you how hard it is sometimes to sit still and
listen to the old man's explanations. Last Sabbath he dwelt
a long time 'on de fact Rebecca was a shameful deceiver an
dat Jacob was another one.'

"In the afternoon, after two hours of preaching ser-
vices he concluded, 'as it was still early in de day' they
would sing a hymn and any who wished to jine de church
could come 'for'ud and give us der hand.'

"As soon as they started to sing, a woman fell in some
sort of spell. She was sitting near me on the same bench.
Instantly it occurred to me they were getting up one of
their 'feelin' meetin's', as they call them, and I was fright-
ened half out of my wits. Fearing they would get to shout-
ing and pounding each other, I ran out as fast as I could.
There were about fifty of them packed in one little room
sixteen feet square and I was up in front. It was one of the

116 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

friendly tribe that shouted, and had I been wise, I would
have known what was coming. My flight spoiled the meet-
ing, but if you would appreciate my feelings just imagine
you are alone in a small room with fifty darkies and fifteen
or twenty of them commence shouting and breaking
benches. I had a severe headache and have not felt well
all week.

"After I ran out the people laughed and the poor wo-
man recovered quite suddenly. By the time I was safe in
my own room the meeting was dismissed. I was nervous
and discouraged. I called the old preacher to my room and
gave him a lecture. He said he did not believe in shouting
and had no idea of any one doing so. I am afraid some of
the shouting ones will be offended but I could not help it.
It was the first time I have felt afraid since I came here.

"The school children think it was the 'best meetin'
they were ever at.' They say 'Miss Hartford did look so
funny when she got scared.' I tell them they may laugh at
me but not at the poor woman who shouted. I tell them that
shouting and falling in fits is not religion, that the poor wo-
man was probably a good christian, but her shouting and
spells do not make her one.

" 'Mamma says,' said one of them, 'that she first took
religion wid one of them spells and dey alius' come when she
gits happy.' "

"Poor things! I tell you this to show you in what a sad
state they are. They have had enough preaching to make
them think they are religious, but have had no real Bible
teaching, and there are ten thousand of them in this nation.
The Board has concluded to send Miss Haymaker here and
I am glad.

BOTHERSOME "BREDDERIN"

The Board talks about sending a new preacher here,
I hope they will send a strong healthy consecrated white
man. A sickly man has no business here. Common sense
and grit are needed more than learning. It will be no easy
task for a white preacher to manage these black Presby-
terians. I suspect it will require more tact and will power
to manage this set, than one of our city churches.

A half dozen old fellows claiming to be elders tried to
run 'de Sunday School and de teacher' until I read to them a
letter from Dr. Allen, secretary of the Board. Not one of
them can read, but they take great pride in being elders.

Mrs. M. E. Crowe.

Carrie E. Crowe

Anna T. Hunter.

Martha Hunter.

Iks

EARLY REMINISCENCES 117

Some were appointed elders in other churches and they
think that makes them elders here. It will be a sad day to
them when they learn they are not elders here, and I fear
they will not then be willing to remain as members.

I have written you a long letter and it is all about the
darkies ; but no doubt you are expecting that.

HARD WORK AND MISERABLE LIVING

"I am not so strong, in fact feel ten years older than one
year ago. I fear I cannot stand the heat this summer. I
said 'heat' but do not mean that exactly. This climate is
rather pleasant, if we could only provide comforts. It is
the constant hard work and miserable way of living that
makes it so bad.

"No white person could eat what these women prepare,
— bread, always of corn, and fat pork, swimming in grease.
Give them flour, they stir in a lot of soda and serve you
biscuit as green as grass. They have no idea of better
cooking and will not take the pains to do better. We are
going to teach them to cook, scrub and wash clothes.

"Write soon and tell me whether you called on mother,
when you were in Steubenville.

Your Friend,

Eliza Hartford."

Six months later when she returned from a short visit
to her mother she writes :

"The weeds were so high I could scarcely see the house.
I had to pay forty dollars from my own earnings on lumber
hauled for the new school building, but which Elder Critten-
den says, was taken by thieves. I paid it to save our credit
and am glad I had it to give.

"We have now nineteen boarders. I am almost worked
to death and it takes all my patience to stand it."

BETSY BOBBET

A letter dated January 6, 1888, bears the stamp, "Oak

Hill Industrial Academy." A change in her assistants had

taken place in November previous and she writes:

"Miss Haymaker before leaving had miserable health
and I have had a hard time since my return. I think Miss
Campbell will do well. The attendance now ranges from 45

118 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

to 60 and I am not able to do anything except the school
work. Four of the children have had chills and fever, and
I have had to rise at night to care for them. I have been
trying to do the work of three people and not complain.
Still I'd like to grumble a little, if I could find the right one
to talk to. I am beginning to feel a little like Josiah Allen's
wife, when she said, 'Betsy Bobbet, you're a fool, or else
me.'

"Still I had rather be regarded foolish, by working hard
for the good of others, than take advantage of another.

Pray for me for I need your prayers.

Eliza Hartford."

MISS HAYMAKER'S EVENTFUL JOURNEY.
Miss Priscilla G. Haymaker made her first journey to
Oak Hill about the first of April, 1887. She passed by
way of St. Louis to Texarkana, Arkansas, 50 miles east of
Clarksville, over the Iron Mountain railway. This part of
the journey was made during the night, and most of the
time she was the only lady in the car. The crowd on the
train was one of ruffians, who spent the time playing cards,
drinking whiskey and showing their revolvers.

The conductor said to her, "Lady you have a rough
crowd to ride with to night, but I will not leave you long."
He was as good as his word. He sat in the seat with her
when in the car and returned promptly when required to be
absent.

At Clarksville she found the driver from Wheelock
awaiting her arrival at the hotel. As early as four o'clock
the next morning everything was in readiness for making
the trip to Wheelock in a covered wagon. It soon began
to rain and continued raining all day. It was 8 o'clock at
night when the team arrived at Wheelock.

The cordial welcome extended by Rev. John Edwards,
Superintendent, and his wife and the teachers at Wheel-

EARLY REMINISCENCES 119

ock Academy, was one not soon to be forgotten. It was
greatly appreciated and enabled her to feel she had gotten
back again to a place of civilization.

Miss Haymaker, the first assistant of Miss Hartford,
April to November 1887, was a native of Newlonsburg, Pa.,
daughter of George R. and Priscilla Haymaker.

On October 1, 1890, she returned to Oak Hill and served
as the principal teacher in the Academy the next six years.
In the fall of 1892 she was joined by her brother Rev. E. G.
Haymaker, who then became superintendent. On October
13, 1896, she became the wife of John Blair of Chambers-
burg, Pa., and they still reside there.

MISS CAMPBELL'S TRIP FROM CLARKSVILLE.

Miss Anna E. Campbell, the successor of Miss Hay-
maker arrived at Clarksville, the same day the latter passed
through that place on her way home in November, 1887.

The proprietor of the hotel called her very early the
next morning and informed her he had secured a mule team
driven by a negro to take her to Oak Hill. When she was
leaving the hotel he solicitously inquired,

"Do you carry a gun?"

"No I haven't any weapon except a little pocket knife,"
she answered. He then said, "In going into Indian Terri-
tory you ought to have a gun, you may need it."

Mr. Moore, the railway agent, a man from Ohio, notic-
ing by the check of her trunk, that she came from Pennsyl-
vania, was very courteous and gave his name. He charged
the driver to protect the lady at the risk of his own life;
all of which he solemnly promised to do, by promptly answer-
ing, "Yes sah, dat I will."

120 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

The bell and two barrels of clothing for Oak Hill were
put on the wagon and they made the load a pretty good one
for the team. After driving northward all day it began to
grow dark and they had not yet reached the ferry across
Red River. The crossing was made however without ac-
cident.

When the landing had been completed the driver re-
marked :

"I don't reckon we will get dar, 'coz I doesn't know de
way now."

Fortunately there were several houses not very far
away on the bluff along the river, and after a few inquir-
ies, a white family was found that very kindly gave Miss
Campbell shelter for the night.

The woman at once offered her a sniff of snuff as a
token of good will. When the snuff was very politely de-
clined, she laconically remarked :

"Well, some folks don't."

Miss Campbell arrived at Oak Hill, ten miles distant
from the ferry, the next day, after experiencing a "stuck
fast" in the mud on the way.

Miss Campbell was a native of Midway, Washington
county, Pa. She became the assistant of Miss Hartford in
November, 1887, two days after the departure of Miss Hay-
maker and remained until June 15, 1888. At that time she
expected to return about the first of October following.
But when her trunk had been packed for that purpose cir-
cumstances arose at home that made it necessary for her
to remain and take care of her parents, both of whom were
aged and infirm. On March 7, 1905, she became the wife of
James H. McClusky and now lives on a well cultivated pro-
ductive farm near Monongahela, Pa.

EARLY REMINISCENCES 121

MISS HARTFORD'S NIGHT SCHOOL.
On requesting Alexander M. Reid, D. D., of Steubenville,
Ohio, the early home of Eliza Hartford to obtain and send a
photo of her, he reported her death at Richmond, Ohio, July
9, 1901 ; and stating that a photo could not be found among
her relatives, sent instead the following beautiful incident,
growing out of her work as a teacher of night school in that
place before she came to Oak Hill.

MATTHEW FINDING HIS OPPORTUNITY

Rev. Charles C. Beatty, D. D., a former Moderator of the
General Assembly who had become almost totally blind, at
the close of a prayer meeting held in the Second Presbyter-
ian church, said to Miss Hartford, "Could you not name one
of your boys here to lead me home?"

She replied, "Yes, here is Matthew Rutherford ; he will
lead you home."

On the way home Dr. Beatty asked Matthew, what he
was doing: He replied, "I dig coal in the day time and go
to the school of Miss Hartford at night."

When near home Dr. Beatty inquired, "Matthew, how
would you like to go to school and get an education?" He
said, "I would like it very much."

Dr. Beatty then said, "Matthew, you may quit digging
coal and go through the school and High School. Then if
you have a good standing, I will send you to college. If the
Lord should then seem to be calling you to be a minister, I
will enable you to pursue your studies at Allegheny Semi-
nary.

Matthew, who was a native of England and exceeding-
ly grateful for this recognition and counsel, quit the mines
and entered school. He graduated from Washington and

122 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Jefferson college in 1884, and from the theological Seminary,
three years later. Since 1896 he has been the highly es-
teemed pastor of the third Presbyterian church, Washing-
ton, Pa., and Bible instructor in the college since 1900. He
received the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1909.

This incident serves to illustrate the readiness of the
friends of Christian Education to aid young people of limit-
ed means, who are trying to educate themselves; and the
care they also take to know they are worthy. It also shows
the importance of young people industriously and economi-
cally doing what they can to help themselves. That is their
best recommendation.

If young Rutherford, while working in the mines,
had indulged in spending his evenings at places merely of
amusement or entertainment as many do, he would have
missed the golden opportunity of his life. The unexpected
and gracious offer came to him, while he was attending
night school and the weekly prayer meeting. It was while
he was taking advantage of these opportunities for intel-
lectual and moral improvement, within his reach, that he
found the true and faithful friend, whose assistance he
most needed.

HARDSHIPS AT OAK HILL.

Miss Hartford, before coming to Oak Hill, spent several
years as a teacher among the Mormons at Silver City, Utah.
This was a period when missionary work was difficult and
dangerous. She resigned that work on account of the fail-
ing health of her aged mother.

She patiently and hopefully endured many privations
and hardships in faithfully and energetically carrying for-

EARLY REMINISCENCES 123

ward the work entrusted to her. These were greatest at
Oak Hill than elsewhere.

At Oak Hill she was unable to relieve the natural con-
ditions that produce malarial troubles. She felt very deep-
ly the loneliness of dwelling in the wilderness, where there
was no white person in the neighborhood to render assist-
ance in time of special need, or sympathetic friend to ex-
press a word of comfort and encouragement. Then she
could not avoid the incessant strain of continuous work and
worry under surroundings and limitations, that could not be
removed and tended to produce that nervous exhaustion,
which results in complete prostration. This nervous strain
was increased by every advancing step in the progress of
the work. Relief from this malady is not found in the use
of medicines, but in a complete change of scenes, diet and
employment. She and her two faithful helpers were com-
pelled to seek this form of relief.

XIV

EARLY TIMES AT FOREST.

FOREST CHAPEL.— LIFTING THE COLLECTION.— PRIMITIVE
MID-WEEK MEETINGS.

"I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient
times."

I^^^^/^HE following reminiscences of early times at
W Forest church are narrated for their intrin-
I %\ I sic as well as historic interest. The first
^e/J one reveals an order of service, that is very
' — general in the colored churches. It is one
that affords the deacon, if he be a man so disposed, to spon-
taneously introduce considerable native wit and humor in-
to the part of the service entrusted to him ; and if he does,
it very naturally prepares the way for unexpected shouts
of joy and gladness on the part of those who are emotional
or subject to the sudden impulse of ecstatic delight.

FOREST CHAPEL.

Forest Chapel, as is suggested by its name, was located
in the large and dense oak forest along Red river eight miles
south of Wheelock. Its post office has been successively,
Wheelock, Fowlerville, Parsons and since 1906 Millerton.
The Forest church was organized by Parson Stewart about
1886, and was served by him once a month the next seven
years. In 1898 it became a remote part of the field of
Rev. William Butler of Eagletown, who also endeavored to
visit it once a month.

(124)

EARLY TIMES AT FOREST 125

The chapel was a lonely, dingy and dilapidated build-
ing, inside as well as outside. It was about 20 by 30 feet
and was built entirely of rough lumber. The side walls
consisted of one thickness of wide inch boards, nailed at the
top and bottom, and having a thin strip over the cracks
on the outside. The roof was covered with long, split, oak
clapboards, that invariably look black and rough at the
end of a year. The pulpit consisted of a box-like arrange-
ment that stood on a small platform at the center of one
end. The seats consisted of a half dozen rough benches
without backs, that could be arranged around the stove in
cold weather, or in three fold groups for a picnic dinner, the
middle one being used for a table on such occasions and the
other two for seats around it. No paint or even white wash
ever found a place on this building. It was the largest and
best building in the neighborhood, and the popular resort
for all of their social gatherings.

The leading men of the congregation consisted of two
elders, both venerable and devout survivors of the slavery
period, neither of whom could read, and a deacon, who was
one of the only two of the older people who could read a
little.

LIFTING THE COLLECTION

It was regarded as the duty of the deacon to "lift the
collection" at the Sabbath services. This gave him a very
prominent part in the services, for the collection is not lift-
ed by passing the hat or basket, but each contributor, after
the general call brings their offering and lays it either on
the pulpit or a little stand near it. However novel this
arrangement may at first appear to those unaccustomed to
it, it must be remembered that a method somewhat similar
to this was in use in the Temple in Jerusalem, when our Lord

126 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Jesus, taking his seat opposite the treasury, saw the poor
widow cast in her two mites and commended her very
highly.

It was not unusual for the deacon to announce before
hand the amount needed and then, as the offerings are pre-
sented, to state the amount received from time to time, until
finally the whole amount is obtained. This part of the ser-
vice was always enlivened by singing some soul-stirring
songs, that everybody could sing. Occasionally it would
take the form of a good natured rivalry, as to which could
appear the most happy and joyous, the deacon, vociferously
announcing from time to time as their offerings came in,
the latest result of the collection, or, the people, whose mer-
ry singing would occasionally develop into a shout of ecstatic
enjoyment, on the part of one or more of their number.

PRIMITIVE MID-WEEK MEETINGS

The early preachers, having monthly appointments,
were always very faithful in exhorting and encouraging
the elders of their distant congregations to maintain regu-
lar Sabbath services, for the study of the Bible and Catech-
ism, and a mid-week meeting for praise and prayer. The
people were encouraged to attend all these meetings and
cordially cooperate with the elders in making them inter-
esting and instructive.

The older generation at Forest was one that had a fore-
taste of slavery in their early days, but not a day of school
privileges, except as the Bible was read or taught at their
meetings on the Sabbath. The lack of school privileges in
the neighborhood and its remote seclusion from the outside
world, had the effect of leaving these colored people to con-
tinue their primitive ways and methods of doing things, to

EARLY TIMES AT FOREST 127

a later date than in many other more highly favored com-
munities.

The following narrative contains an account of the mid-
week meetings held at Forest about the year 1897 when
Miss Bertha L. Ahrens, a white missionary teacher of our
Freedmen's Board opened a mission school in the chapel. It
shows how the people, that lived in the gross darkness of
utter ignorance, groped for the light and earnestly endeav-
ored to extend it, when the gospel was first presented to
them.

The mid-week meetings are held regularly when not
prevented by rain or cold weather. The people live in little
shanties scattered through the timber near springs of water
and are poorly clad. In good weather they "begin to gath-
er" about 8:30 p. m. and continue to "gather" until 9:30,
when Elder "B." taking his place at the left of the pulpit,
"reckons that they's all here that's going to com." Elder F.
aits down beside him and neither of them can read. Deacon
L. who serves as chorister, occupies a shortseat in front of
the pulpit. The wives of the elders, the lady missionary and
other leading sisters occupy seats — a bench — at the right
of the pulpit.

The meetings are opened by the deacon, who reads two
lines of a hymn and, winding out a tune, the people unite in
singing them. Two more lines continue to be read and sung
until the hymn has been completed.

When the deacon is not present Elder "R." says : "Will
some of you select something to sing?" If no brother is pres-
ent, who can read, a sister or the missionary, or perhaps one
of her school boys, may "line out" a hymn and may even
"raise it" kit the tune must be one "the old folks can sing."
If the one who "raises the tune" breaks down with it, any

128 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

one may pick it up and go on with it to the end of the two
lines that have been "lined out."

The missionary's organ is in position ready for use, but
it must be silent in the prayer meeting, and also at the
preaching service. It is a new and troublesome innovation.
It takes the prominence in the singing, that belongs to the
officers of the church. The missionary cannot wind and
slur the tunes on it, the way the old folks have learned to
sing them, and it robs the singing of its old-time sweetness
and power. The organ therefore remains silent.

After the first hymn, Elder "B." who never allows any
one else, not even the preacher, to lead the prayer meeting,
now calls on some one to "read us a lesson from the Bible."
This was an innovation introduced into the prayer meeting
after the arrival of the lady missionary. It is at first mere-
ly tolerated, comments and explanations are strictly for-
bidden. These restrictions in regard to the Bible in the
meeting were due to the influence exerted by the wife of
Elder "B." who had been the first real leader of the church
and was still regarded as a "mother in Israel, whose opin-
ions should be respected." She felt that God had taught
her by visions and dreams, and believed he would teach
others the same way. Elder "F." however, is not satisfied till
he and others have heard the "Word of God" and permission
to read it is given.

"Down to pray," is the next request of the leader, and
the voice of every one present is expected to be heard in
this part of the meeting. A sister, whose seat is near a
window, begs the Lord to "come this-a-way, just a little
while, to lay his head in the window and hear his servant
pray." A brother near the front door responds approvingly,
"Yes sir," and bids him, "Walk in, and take a front seat."

EARLY TIMES AT FOREST 129

The prayer of a devout sister after one or two petitions, be-
comes an earnest exhortation to all the sinners to repent
and be saved.

Some seemed to believe their prayers have to travel
long journeys and are better long than short. Some prayers
are chanted with a pleasing variety of the voice, while
others are agonized by using many repetitions. All are wit-
nessed to by "amen" and similar words of attestation; for
these are "live christians", and have no use for "dead meet-
ings."

Elder "F." who sits beside the leader, sometimes insists
on "making some remarks." If the leader whispers to him
"make it short," and he does not give good heed, the start-
ing of a familiar hymn is the method adopted to "bring him
down."

At a meeting held on the forenoon of Christmas, Elder
"F." was feeling too happy and grateful to restrain himself.
His theme was "Our Wonderful Saviour," and he began to
exhort sinners to open their hearts to him. He became so
absorbed in the greatness and importance of his theme as
not to heed the usual whisper of the leader or even the
starting of the familiar hymn. The situation is one of em-
barrassment to the leader. The one that proves equal to it
is Elder "B.'s" wife. She walks over to him, grabs him by
both arms and pushes him down on his seat, saying, "Bud,
you talks too much, sit down now and keep still." She
laughs as she says this, the elder smiles as he sits down,
and the meeting proceeds in good form.

The usual way of closing the mid-week meeting was
about as follows : Elder "B." says, "Well we's done about all
we can do. Let us sing something and go home." If elder "F."

130 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

does not call for the new hymn, they have recently learned
from the organ,

"Lord dismiss us with thy blessing," they stand and
sing a familiar one. Elder "B." then says: "Amen !" and dis-
misses the congregation with a wave of his hand.

In the Sunday school the attitude of the people toward
the Bible, the organ and the lady missionary was altogether
different. Here she is the recognized leader, both in the
singing and Bible instruction. As they profit by her instruc-
tion, and listen a few times to some of their familiar hymns
on the organ, the younger people manifest pleasure and de-
light and the early prejudices of the older ones are gradually
forgotten.

The first elders of Forest church were Simon Folsom,
Charles Bibbs and Lee Bibbs. Charles Bashears was soon
afterward added to their number and died in 1912. His
wife exerted a leading influence in the earlier years of this
church.

The allotment of lands in 1905 made it necessary to
move Forest church to another location ; and in 1909, it was
moved about two miles east in the valley of Red river.

ERA OF JAMES F. McBRIDE

1888-1892

GIRL'S HALL IN 1889.— ADDITIONAL SCHOOL ROOM.— Mc-
BRIDE DIES JAN. 29, 1892.— MRS. McBRIDE.

"Seest thou a man diligent in his business, he shall
stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men."

ERA OF SUPT. McBRIDE

\^5<f^/p BOUT October 1, 1888 Mr. and Mrs. James
v A W F. McBride arrived to take charge of the
work as superintendent and matron. Their
arrival was the occasion of another joyful
meeting on the part of the colored people
who came to see the "suptender, and express their great joy
over the new start that was to be given the school."

Mrs. McBride at a later date, referring to the appear-
ance of things on the day of their arrival at this, their new
home, wrote :

"I can still see how the old log house looked as we drove
up ; so dilapidated. A broken down porch ran along the front
of it, and we had to climb over an old rail fence to get to it.
Our first meal was corn bread made with water — without
salt — and stewed dried peaches."

When the school opened they were assisted by Miss
Carrie Peck, Celestine Hodges and Mary Grundy.

A new era was now inaugurated in the management of
the school. Ownership as yet extended only to the farm
buildings, which consisted of the old log house, and barn,

(131)

132 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

purchased from Robin Clark, and the new school building.
The first effort was now made to utilize two small fields of
cleared laid and the neighboring timber to raise stock and
crops for the local support of the school.

GIRLS' HALL
In 1889 a commodious Girls' Hall was built having
ample facilities for carrying and boarding a considerable
number of students. The enjoyment of anything like ordin-
ary home comforts on the part of the teachers began with
the occupancy of this building. It became the home of
the family of the superintendent, teachers and the girls ; and
the old log house was fitted up for occupancy by the boys.
An additional room was also added to the school building.

As the patronage of the school increased Mr. McBride
felt there was need for a suitable Boys' Hall. He made the
plans for it and, enlisting the interest of the women of In-
diana, they provided the money for it. On January 29, 1892,
after three and one half years of faithful service and before
his hopes could be realized by merely starting the work on
the new building, his death occurred and the progress of
the improvement work was again arrested.

Mr. McBride was educated at Hanover, Indiana, and
had previously taught in several other schools. He was an
active christian worker and had been ordained a ruling
elder in the Presbyterian church. He anticipated the fut-
ure needs of the school by planting fruit trees, that, during
these later years, have borne bountiful crops of fruit.

The other assistants of Mr. McBride were Mary Coff-
land, principal in 1889 and assistant principal 1890 to 1892 ;
Miss Priscilla G. Haymaker, who returned to serve as prin-
cipal in 1890 and continued until 1896. Other assistants

ERA OF JAMES F. McBRIDE

133

were Anna McBride, Bettie Stewart, colored, and Rilla Fields
who served from the fall of 1891 to the spring of 1895.

MRS. J. F. McBRIDE

During the next eight months the management of the
institution devolved upon Mrs. McBride; and she contin-
ued to serve as matron until the spring of 1899, a period of
eleven years. She gave to this institution many of her best
years for service, and the best work of her life. She be-:
came specially interested in a number of young people at
Oak Hill and aided them to attend other schools of our.
Board. She is now living at Coalgate, Okla.

XVI

ERA OF REV. EDWARD G. HAYMAKER

1892-1904

A TERM ANNOUNCEMENT.— BOYS' HALL 1893.— LAUNDRY
AND SMOKEHOUSE, 1895.— MR. AND MRS. HAYMAKER.—
MRS. McBRIDE.— OTHER HELPERS.— ANNA AND MATTIE
HUNTER.— MRS. M. E. CROWE.— PRAYING FOR WATER.—
APPEAL FOR HOSPITAL.— CARRIE E. CROWE.

"Learning is wealth to the poor,

An honor to the rich,

An aid to the young,

A support and comfort to the aged."

ERA, 1892-1904.
»<£^VfjN October 1, 1892, Rev. Edward Graham
*■ Haymaker became superintendent and con-
tinued to serve in that capacity until the
of 1904.
The following extracts, from a circular
announcement, sent out in script form, for one of the early
years of this period, are full of historic interest.

"Oak Hill Industrial school for colored children is sit-
uated 5 miles north of Red river and 25 miles east of Good-
land, the nearest R. R. station. School opens Oct. 2nd. and
will continue for a term of six months. It is important that
all who attend be on hand at the opening. The sum of $10.00
for citizens and $12.00 for non-citizens will be charged
which must be paid in advance, or assurance given for its
payment. The price of tuition has been raised by the Board
as the Choctaw fund seems to be cut off. It only amounts
to 1 cent a meal or 3 cents a day for board and IV2 cents for
lodging. Cheap enough. The Board pays the large part of
the bill.

"Shoes must in all cases be provided by parents and
guardians. Girls will be provided with other articles of

(134)

ERA OF REV. EDWARD G. HAYMAKER 135

clothing as far as possible, but no such provision can be
made for boys. Books for all will be provided free, and all
will be required to work certain hours each day. Boys will
not be allowed to use tobacco.

"A course of study has been arranged and pupils com-
pleting the course will be given a diploma, which will admit
to any of the higher schools under the Board.

E. G. Haymaker, superintendent."

BOYS' HALL
During this period a Boys' Hall was erected in 1893, a
laundry and smokehouse in 1895. In 1902 the school build-
ing was moved from the oak grove at the railway to its pres-
ent position on the campus and the height of it increased.

Most of the pupils were boarders and most of them
were girls. The girls were encouraged to learn to sew that
at Christmas they might be the wearers of a new calico
dress made with their own hands.

All were required to read the Bible and encouraged to
commit the shorter catechism, the World's briefest and best
commentary on the Bible.

MR. AND MRS. HAYMAKER
Rev. E. G. Haymaker was a native of Newlonsburg,
Westmoreland County, Pa. He graduated from Washington
and Jefferson College in 1885 and from the Western Theolog-
ical Seminary at Pittsburg, in 1890. In 1887 he was licensed
by the Presbytery of Blairsville, and in 1890 was ordained by
the Presbytery of Kittanning. After serving Midway and
Union churches, Cowansville, Pa., two years, on Oct. 1, 1892,
he became superintendent of Oak Hill and continued until
the spring of 1904, eleven and a half years.

Mrs. Haymaker, who became matron of the Boys Hall
in 1894, was a native of Pennsylvania and was educated in
the public schools and Wilson Female College at Chambers-

136 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

burg. She was a teacher at Wheelock Academy at the time
of her marriage in 1894.

During the period of service on the part of these and
all previous helpers the necessaries of life had to be hauled
long distances. The daily supply of water had to be hauled
one and a half miles. The nearest post office most of the
time was at Wheelock, ten miles east. Previous to 1902,
when Valliant was founded the nearest trading stations
were Paris and Clarksville, Texas, and from 1889 to 1903
Goodland, twenty-eight miles west. All the surfaced lum-
ber in the Girls' and Boys' Halls, built in 1889 and 1894
had to be hauled from Paris.

Travel over the rough crooked trails and unbridged
streams in the timber, whilst not unhealthf ul in good weath-
er, was always a slow, tedious experience, rather than a
source of pleasure. To live at Oak Hill meant to enjoy a
quiet secluded home, so far removed from the currents of
the world's activity, as to be almost unaffected by them.

Mrs. McBride continued to serve as matron until 1899,
a period of ten years. The school had then a history of 13
years. On reviewing the signs of improvement and pro-
gress among the colored people that might be attributed to
the good influence of the Oak Hill school, she wrote as fol-
lows:

"The community has greatly changed since this school
was established. When Mr. McBride and I went to the field
murders were common in the neighborhood of Oak Hill, but
they are rare now. The people are now improving their
places, cultivating more land, planting orchards and build-
ing board houses, having several rooms. They have more
stock than formerly and their outlook seems hopeful; but
alas! their religious life is sadly neglected. One half the
pupils are from Presbyterian families, and those who come
from other denominations learn to love our church, its doc-
trines and form of worship."

ERA OF REV. EDWARD G. HAYMAKER 137

Parson Stewart of Doaksville, who had been the faith-
ful pastor of the Oak Hill church from the time it was
founded in 1869, continued to serve it once a month until
the spring of 1893, a period of 24 years. He was then at
the age of 70 honorably retired from the active ministry,
and the superintendent of the academy, became his suc-
cessor in the pastorate of the Oak Hill church.

OTHER HELPERS.

The other assistants, during the period Mr. Haymaker
was superintendent were as follows :

Principals : Anna T. Hunter, 1895 to 1901 ; Sadie Shaw,
1898-9 ; Carrie E. Crowe, 1901 to 1903 ; Verne Gossard, 1903
to 1904.

Assistant Teachers : Mattie Hunter, 1895 to 1901 ; Mrs.
Mary Scott, 1901-1903; Jessie Fisher, 1903 to 1904; Rilla
Fields, 1892 to 1895 ; Howard McBride, 1892-93.

Assistants in the Cooking Department: Mary Gordon,
1894-5; Fannie Green (Col.), Josephine McAfee (Col.), Sadie
Shaw, 1897, Lou K. Early, Josie Jones, Lilly E. Lee, Mrs.
Martha Folsom (Col.), 1902-3, and Mrs. Emma Burrows,
1903-4.

Matrons: Mrs. M. E. Crowe, 1899-1903; Carrie Craig,
1903-04.

ANNA F. and MATTIE HUNTER

of Huntsville, Ohio, were educated, Mattie in Indianap-
olis and State Normal at Terra Haute, Indiana, and Anna in
similar schools in Ohio.

Anna taught at Wheelock, I. T., from 1885 to 1890, un-
der the Home Mission Board, and then three years under
the Freedmen's Board at Atoka. In 1895 she became a
teacher at Oak Hill and, serving one year as an assistant,

138 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

served four years as principal 1896 to 1901, being absent
in 1898.

Mattie was an assistant at Oak Hill from 1896 to 1901,
having previously taught at Wheelock two years, 1889 to
1891.

The work of these sisters at Oak Hill was greatly ap-
preciated. A number of the views of the early days, that
appear in this volume are due to their thoughtfulness, and
skill in the use of a Kodak.

MRS. M. E. CROWE.
Mrs. M. E. (Rev. James B.) Crowe in 1899 became the
successor of Mrs. McBride as matron of the Girls' Hall
and continued until the spring of 1903. It seemed to her
like the dawning of a new era in the life of a Choctaw Negro
girl, when she entered a Christian training school like Oak
Hill. After an opportunity for observation she wrote as
follows :

"It gives us no small satisfaction to see the rapid im-
provement during the first year on the part of those who
come to our school. It is very gratifying to witness the sur-
prise of their parents, when they return after the lapse of
a few months. This work may seem small when compared
with the great South; but these Choctaw Negroes are ours
now to mould as we will. The time is near when this coun-
try will be thrown open to white settlers ; the hordes, — both
white and black — will then pour into this section and our
opportunity will be gone if we do not seize it now. We have
had this year the clearest evidence of God's approval of
this work. Oak Hill needs much in the way of facilities.
We are thankful for every word of sympathy and the help
received this year from societies and friends. I would like
to speak of individual pupils; of the transformation we see
going on in their characters, and also of their efforts to
profit by the instruction given."

Rev. James B. Crowe, in 1887 had charge of the Presby-
terian church of Remington, Indiana. In 1890 he was ap-

ERA OF REV. EDWARD G. HAYMAKER 139

pointed by the Freedmen's Board to serve the colored people
at Caddo and Atoka. Anna and Mattie Hunter were then
teaching at Atoka, and Mrs. Crowe became a teacher at
Caddo. In 1893 her health failed and, returning to the North
he died soon afterward. Later Mrs. Crowe became matron
at Oak Hill. She is now living at Hartford, South Dakota.

PRAYING FOR WATER
"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want."

When Oak Hill became a boarding school and a heavy
draft was made on the old well, that at the first had at-
tracted the school there, it "went dry." After this unex-
pected occurrence it never furnished an adequate supply of
water for the school and stock. During all of the 90's great
inconvenience was experienced in securing and keeping on
hand an adequate supply during term time. When the sup-
ply was exhausted the work in the laundry and kitchen had
to stop, until a new supply was obtained.

The nearest sources of supply, during this "lack of
water" period, were Clear Creek and a large spring near it,
both one and a half miles distant. At first two barrels were
used to haul water and the team had to make daily trips
during term time. Later a long water tank, that held a
wagon load, was substituted for the barrels. Hauling water
in barrels kept two boys out of school a considerable part
of their time. They did not seem to care, yet the feeling
prevailed that it was not right.

In the fall of 1899 when Mrs. M. E. Crowe became ma-
tron, the lack of water was so distressing it was made the
subject of prayer. Mrs. F. D. Palmer, a secretary of the
Board visited the school at this period and after an address,
the question was asked, "How many will join in prayer for
water to be given Oak Hill?" Quite a number responded

140 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

and, at the ringing of the retiring bell, a circle of prayer
would form in the girls' sitting room and sentence prayers
were offered for that one object.

About three weeks later, Mrs. Palmer met the women
of the First Presbyterian church, Wilkinsburg, Pa., and,
among other needs of the schools visited, referred to the
urgent need for water and a cook stove with a large oven at
Oak Hill. At the close of her address an elderly lady, Mrs.
Rebecca S. Campbell, arose in the back part of the room and
said, "My sister-in-law, Anna E. Campbell, taught in that
school some years ago; and I will give one hundred dollars
for a good well and wind wheel for it, that it may be a use-
ful and worthy memorial of a dear son, Frank Campbell,
who died at thirty in 1900, and of Annie's work in 1888."

The Endeavor society added fifty dollars for a large
cook stove that would serve as an oven.

In this reminiscence, the faithful teacher, the circle of
prayer, the visit of the secretary, the address, and the pres-
ence at the meeting of a woman with a responsive heart and
offering, seemed links in a chain of providential circum-
stances, that made those who were interested feel sure the
school at Oak Hill was "precious in the sight of the Lord."
Their prayer for water had been heard and the answer was
assured.

In 1903 this difficulty was overcome by placing an aer-
moter over the well, sunk the previous year, to do the pump-
ing for the stock. The stock then enjoyed the free range
of the timber and consisted of considerable herds of cattle
and hogs.

ERA OF REV. EDWARD G. HAYMAKER 141

APPEAL FOR HOSPITAL
"Ask and it shall be given you."

In the early spring of 1903, writes Mrs. M. E. Crowe,
matron, one of the girls became ill and feared she was go-
ing to die. A special bed was made for her in my own sit-
ting room.

After her recovery Mrs. Crowe wrote Mrs. Mary O.
Becker, Mexico, N. Y., a personal stranger but previous con-
tributor to the school, soliciting her aid to provide a hospital
or separate room for the care of sick girls.

A favorable response was received. A partition was
removed to make a long room and provide for a stove. Soon
afterwards there was received from the Women's Mission-
ary Society represented by Mrs, Becker, three single beds,
bedding, gowns, slippers, sponges, water-bottles and all the
other articles necessary for the complete equipment of a
sick room, including three changes of clothing for the sick.

The promptness of this response and the generosity
of the donation, awakened feelings of heartfelt gratitude,
on the part of the recipients.

A few years afterwards Mrs. Crowe related this in-
cident to a group of ladies at Mitchell, South Dakota, stand-
ing in the recess of a bay window.

The pastor of the church, now an evangelist, was busy
in an adjoining room, separated only by a curtain. The re-
ference to Mrs. Becker attracted his attention. At the close
of her remarks he entered the room and stepping to the
window, pointed to some pictures and said:

"These pictures at your side are of Mrs. Becker's home
and son. She helped me to get an education. That may not
have meant much to others but it meant a great deal to me.
It was a fulfilment of the promise.

"I will guide thee with mine eye."

142 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Mrs. Crowe further states, "Many that were under my
care became christians and I know that many of them are
now doing great good.

"One, when leaving for home at the close of the term,
remarked, "All things are going to be different with me at
home, but I'm goin' to try to live a christian."

"They need to be taught how to live as well as to die ; So
many have died. They are not careful of their feet.

"They are unable to get good books at reasonble
prices, and the shoddy stuff they do read only tends to make
them dreamy and careless."

CARRIE E. CROWE.

Carrie E. Crowe, principal teacher at Oak Hill 1901 to
1903, and again in 1905, is one to be remembered as having
devoted her best years and noblest gifts to the educational
work among the Freedmen. It was during the early 80's
and through the influence of her cousin Mrs. R. H. Allen,
D. D., whose husband was then in the beginning of his work
as secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Missions for
Freedmen, she was led to consecrate herself to this greatly
needed work.

Her first commission was as leading teacher in Scotia
Seminary, Concord, North Carolina. During one of the va-
cations while here, she and Miss D. J. Barber developed a
new school at Hendersonville, North Carolina that was con-
tinued a number of years under the care of our Freedmen's
Board and the personal direction of Sadia L. Carson.

During another vacation she devoloped a school at
Nebo, Marion county, N. C. This school came to be known
as the Boston Mission. While she was caring for it, her
father, who was a Colporteur of the American Tract Society,
and her mother came and made their home with her. The
maintenance of this school was not pleasing to all the people
of that community; and when a total abstinence organiza-

ERA OF REV. EDWARD G. HAYMAKER 143

lion was effected and some regarded it as a menace to the
local illicit manufacture of intoxicating liquors, the ill feel-
ing was manifested by the complete destruction and loss of
their home. Her parents were so distressed over this de-
structive work of the "white caps" and the seriousness of
the loss sustained that both died a few months later at
Durham, N. C.

After the experience of these great trials that came in
quick succession, she was requested to open a day and Sun-
day school and visiting Mission, among the operatives of
the Pearl Cotton Mills at Durham. When failing health
made it necessary to relinquish this work, it was extended to
the other mills at that place and continued by the women of
the Southern Presbyterian church, at whose request this
work had been originally undertaken.

On resuming work under our Freedmen's Board the
first year was spent at Nottoway, near Burkeville, Nottoway
county, Virginia.

The next year, 1897, the Mary Holmes Seminary, des-
troyed by fire at Jackson Jan. 1, 1895, was rebuilt and re-
opened at West Point, Miss., by Rev. Henry N. Payne, D. D.
and she became the principal teacher in that institution. On
March 6, 1899, their principal building was again destroyed
by fire. After three years of faithful service and another
sad experience that tended to impair her health, she be-
came in 1901 principal at Oak Hill Academy, Indian Terri-
tory, but after two years, by special request, returned and
resumed her former position as leading teacher at West
Point, taking with her two pupils from Oak Hill, Lizzie
Watt and Iserina Folsom.

In the fall of 1905 she returned to Oak Hill Academy
and remained until the month of February following, when

144 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

she was called to the bedside of the late Mary Holmes at
Rockford, Illinois.

Her work since that date has been limited to more
healthful localities, namely Gunnison, Utah, and the Spanish
Mission in Los Angeles, California. At both of these places
she served under commissions issued by our Board of Home
Missions.

She is now enjoying the rest of a quiet and frugal life
in retirement at Escanto, California, within easy distance
of a brother and wife, whose kindness is constant, and hav-
ing as a companion, a friend, who is as a sister in their mod-
est home.

Her last teaching among the Freedmen was at Oak Hill
Academy and she seemed to have a special interest in the
young people of that section. This interest was awakened
by the fact that during her first term of service at West
Point several girls were sent there from the vicinity of Oak
Hill, which was then represented as a new country, without
previous educational and good church privileges.

She had the earnest desire to follow these girls when
they returned to their home communities to see to what ex-
tent their christian training at West Point would tend to
elevate and ennoble their own lives and through them the
lives of others.

This is the desire of every friend of Christian educa-
tion. It cannot be given too great emphasis. Pupils that
give assurance they will "make good" find that there are
friends somewhere, when their need is known, ready to
"help them to help themselves." It ought to be a source
of constant and life-long encouragement to every pupil,
specially aided by friends in any of our christian educational

ERA OF REV. EDWARD G. HAYMAKER 145

institutions, to know that the personal interest of their
teachers and friends follows them through life to see and
know, that they have profited by their youthful christian
training. They are expected to be teachers and leaders in
thought and action in their respective communities.

XVII

BUDS OF PROMISE

1884 to 1904.
FAVORED YOUTHFUL CHOCTAW FREEDMEN.

"And Hannah took Samuel to the Temple of the Lord
and said to Eli, the priest; I have lent him to the Lord as
long as he liveth."

l^ s 3> <e ^J/fJHE object of this chapter is to note the
W names and careers of a number of the young
I y| people that during the early days, were sent
r< «JW/ or encouraged to attend other educational
institutions. As early as 1884, two years
before Miss Hartford came to Oak Hill, Rev. Alexander
Reid, of Atoka took the lead in arranging for two
young men to go to Biddle University, Charlotte, North
Carolina, and five young ladies to Scotia Seminary, at Con-
cord, North Carolina. Later the teachers at Oak Hill aided
and encouraged others to attend these and other christian
institutions of learning established elsewhere by our Freed-
men's Board. The present is an opportune time for noting
the results, in the way of increased happiness and added
usefulness to these young people by one or more years of
special training in youth.

In 1884 Richard D. Colbert of the Beaver Dam church
was sent to the preparatory school at Biddle University and
remained till June 1887. After his return he taught school
eleven years. He was then licensed by the Presbytery, and
has been preaching the gospel ever since that time.

(146)

BUDS OF PROMISE 147

In 1884 Henry Williams of Doaksville, (Fort Towson)
was sent to Biddle University and remained three years.
On his return he became a teacher of public school and in
1892 married Annie Ball.

In 1884 Celestine Kodges a daughter of Samuel and
Charlotte Hodges, Wheelock, was sent to Scotia Seminary
and remained four years. On her return in 1888, she became
a teacher and has been teaching most of the time since, serv-
ing the first two years as an assistant at Oak Hill.

She became custodian of the buildings, after the depart-
ure of Miss Hartford, and was teaching the Oak Hill school,
when Mr. McBride arrived a month or so after its opening.
Two years later she founded a school and Sunday school
along Sandy Branch, that a few years later developed into
the church, that bears that name. She is now located upon
and improving her own farm southwest of Antlers.

In 1884 Susan Homer, daughter of Wiley Homer, Grant,
was sent to Scotia Seminary and remained two years. On
her return she served as a teacher until she married Albert
Brown. She is now a widow, occupying and improving her
own farm, near Grant.

In 1884 Marie Jones and her sister Fannie Jones, daugh-
ters of the late Caroline Prince (1911), and Virginia Shoals,
daughter of J. Ross and Harriet Shoals, all from the Oak
Hill church, were sent to Scotia Seminary.

Marie Jones of ter spending some time at school engaged
in teaching and later became the wife of Mr. Sands, a
Methodist minister, now located at Kingston, New York.

Fannie Jones remained at Concord, going to school
and working in the city until 1898, when she located at St.
Louis, where she became the wife of Mr. McNair, and taught

148 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

school a number of years. She is now occupying the old
home near Oak Hill.

Virginia Shoals, now Mrs. Perry, returned in 1901,
She has taught school several years and is now living on
her own allotment of land near Red River, where she has
founded and is endeavoring to maintain a christian home.

Mary Homer (B. 1873) a daughter of Wiley Homer,
Grant, after completing a course at Oak Hill attended a
Choctaw government school, 1890 to 1894. She engaged in
teaching until her marriage to Martin Shoals. She is now
improving her own farm and educating her children at Oak
Hill.

Hattie Homer (B. 1876), a sister of Mary, after attend-
ing a Choctaw government school at Grant 1890 to 1894
and completing a course at Oak Hill, taught school until she
became the wife of Nick Colbert, an elder of the Beaver
Dam church, after his decease she married Bud Lewis and
is now occupying and improving her own farm.

Harriet Stewart (B.1873), and Fidelia Perkins, daugh-
ter and step-daughter of Parson Stewart, in 1892 were
taken by Mrs. Emma F. McBride, matron, to the Mary
Allen Seminary at Crockett, Texas. They remained until
Harriet was promoted to the senior and Fidelia to the junior
class. Both of them engaged in teaching.

Harriet Stewart after teaching a few years in
1898 became the wife of Rev. Pugh A. Edwards, a min-
ister of the A. M. E. church and is now occupying and im-
proving her own farm near Hugo.

Fidelia in 1900 married Thomas H. Murchison, and lo-
cated at Garvin, where she and her husband have taken a
very active part in promoting the work of the Presbyterian
church. She served as one of the first superintendents of the

Rev. Wiley Homer.

Rev. William Butler.

Rev. and Harrip:t Stewart
Edwards.

Rev. and Maria Jones
Sands.

14S

Favored Young Choctaw Freedmen.

BUDS OF PROMISE 149

Sunday school and he as an elder. She is now serving her
sixth year as teacher of the public school at Millerton. She
is a good penman, an acceptable teacher and is making a
record of commendable usefulness.

Martha Jones, a daughter of Caroline Prince, and
Nannie Harris a daughter of Charles B. Harris, in 1893,
were sent to Crockett, Texas.

Nannie Harris contracted consumption and died the
next year after returning from the school, and Martha Jones
going with one of her teachers, located at Frankfort, Ken-
tucky.

Johnson Shoals, son of J. Ross and Hattie, was an early
pupil at Oak Hill, and an assistant teacher at that institution
during the last term, 1912-1913. He has enjoyed a four
years' course of study at Tuskeegee, and four years at the
Iowa State Agricultural college, Ames, Iowa. During the
last four years he has been working on the old home farm
during the summer and teaching school during the winter,
which is an ideal plan for the average young man to pursue
in early life.

Malinda A. Hall in 1900, after completing the grammar
course at Oak Hill Academy, was sent by Mrs. Edward G.
Haymaker to Ingleside Seminary at Burkeville, Virginia,
where she graduated in 1904. She has taught public school
one or more years. Commencing in February 1905 she
rendered five years of faithful and efficient service as teach-
er of domestic science and superintendent of the christian
Endeavor society at Oak Hill Academy. In 1911 she became
the wife of William Stewart and they are now improving
their own new farm home south of Valliant.

Edward D. Jones, a class mate of Malinda Hall and
native of Bluff, Okla., after completing the grammar course

150 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

in 1900, graduated from Jackson college, Jackson, Miss., five
years later, and in 1909 from the Medical school at Raleigh,
N. C. He has since been engaged in the practice of medicine
in his native state and is now located at Nowata, where he
has acquired an extensive and lucrative patronage.

In 1903 when Carrie E. Crowe returned to Mary Holmes
Seminary at West Point, Miss., she was instrumental in
having Lizzie Watt and Iserina Folsom, both Oak Hill pupils,
follow her to that institution.

Lizzie Watt was from Arkansas. Going with her mis-
tress to spend some time at Winona Lake, Ind., she there
met Mrs. M. E. Crowe, matron at Oak Hill. So great was
the interest awakened she became a pupil at Oak Hill that
fall, and remained until she was encouraged to go to the
Mary Holmes Seminary. When last heard from, through
the head of that institution, she was teaching and doing
well.

Iserina Folsom, daughter of Moses and Martha Folsom,
after her return from West Point in 1905, married Amos
Ward, a farmer, and lives at Grant.

Samuel A. Folsom of the Forest church, and early pupil
at Oak Hill, in 1903-5 spent two years at Biddle Univer-
sity. On his return he taught one year at Oak Hill Acad-
emy, aided in the erection of the temporary Boys' Hall after
the fire of Nov. 8. 1908; and, serving as foreman of the
carpenters, made it possible for the superintendent to erect
Elliott Hall in 1910, by employing only the labor of students
and patrons of the academy. On becoming a member and
elder of the Oak Hill church, be enjoyed the privilege of
representing the Presbytery in the General Assembly at
Denver in May, 1909. Returning later in search of health he
died there at 29, Jan. 11, 1912.

BUDS OF PROMISE 151

George Shoals, in 1903-05, spent two years at Biddle
University. Since his return he married Redonia Grier and
they are now improving their own farm near Grant.

George Stewart, 1903-5 spent two years at Tuskegee.
In 1910 he married Ara Brown, an Oak Hill student, and
they are now industriously and successfully improving their
own farm near the academy at Valliant.

In 1904, when the Pittsburg Mission at Atoka was clos-
ed, Mrs. O. D. Spade, one of the teachers, took Lucretia C.
Brown, a pupil of eight years, to her home at Bellefontaine,
Ohio, and enabled her to graduate from the Grammar and
High schools of that city in 1910. In 1912, after rendering
one year of earnest and faithful service as assistant matron
at Oak Hill Academy, she became the wife of Everett Rich-
ards, one of the older students at Oak Hill that year; and
they are now improving and enjoying their own farm home
near Lukfata. When their home was gladdened by the birth
of their first born on Christmas night, 1913, they named it,
Lucian Elliott, in honor of Mrs. Spade, her youthful bene-
factress.

Samuel S. Bibbs and Henry D. Prince in 1904 went to
Biddle University and remained one year. Henry, after sup-
porting his venerable mother until her decease in 1911, is
now industriously engaged in improving his own farm near
the academy. S. S. Bibbs in 1912 married Fannie McElvene,
and is now located at Broken Bow, where he is making a
good record in a new section of the country.

On March 4, 1906, James Stewart and Mary Garland,
two previously promising Oak Hill students, were married
at the academy. They are now industriously and earnestly
developing a comfortable home on their own farm.

152 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

These incidents relating to the special education of the
first young people among the Choctaw Freedmen are quite
suggestive and interesting.

These young people may be said to represent buds of
promise found in the wilderness, where the wild flowers
bloom that are cared for only by a Heavenly Father's eye.
They are transplanted for a time, where they may receive
Bible instruction, industrial training and a foretaste of the
privileges of an enlightened christian civilization. They
are then returned to the wilderness with the Bible in hand,
like the Huguenots and Pilgrim Fathers, when they first
came to America, to become the standard bearers of truth,
purity and industry, founders of prosperous christian
homes, and intelligent promoters of the best interests of
their people.

Their education and training was the first intelligent
effort to provide a supply of competent native teachers and
preachers for the colored people in the south part of the
Choctaw Nation. However humble their station and limit-
ed their attainment, they represent the first generation of
native teachers.

It was also an effort to introduce into the homes of the
people on their return, correct ideals of an intelligent chris-
tian civilization. It was the day of small things and of
humble beginnings.

It is encouraging to note that in all instances where
they remained long enough in school to make sufficient pro-
gress, they became teachers and Sunday school superinten-
dents on their return to their own neighborhoods. Some of
them are still teaching and one after teaching eleven years
has made a good record as a faithful minister of the
gospel.

The Presbytery of Kiamichi, Garvin, Okla., April, 1914.

Wiley Homer his People and Chapel at Grant, 1904.

352

Rev. T. K. Bridges. Rev. W. J. Starrs.

W. R. Flournoy.

Doll Beatty.

Rev. P. S. Meadows. James R. Crabtree.

BUDS OF PROMISE 153

Those that have married have in most instances be-
come the founders of prosperous christian homes, and the
most influential leaders in their several communities. By
their industry, frugality and piety, they are proving them-
selves, in a very commendable way, to be "the salt of the
earth and the light of the world," among their own people.

Several of them died soon after their return from
school. This is a disappointment that is more deeply felt in
Mission work than elsewhere. The proportion of short lives
in this list is perhaps no greater than would be found in
similar lists taken from other sections of the country. Good
health and the disposition to take good care of it are very
important assets, on the part of those who are encouraged
to take special courses of training in missionary education-
al institutions.

These incidents were rot without their influence on the
mind of Alexander Reid in leading him to approve the plan
of establishing a boarding school for the Freedmen in In-
dian Territory and Oak Hill as the most needy and favorable
location for it. The Boa::d was maintaining missions at
Muskogee and Atoka, but those locations were not then at-
tractive. One of his last acts in 1885, his last year, was
the purchase of the Old Log House from Robin Clark for
the use of the school.

The fact this emigrat'on to distant schools continued,
after the establishment of Oak Hill as a boarding school,
awakens a little surprise. Only a very limited number of
them in later years, remained at Oak Hill to complete the
Grammar course. The good old rule of local prosperity
"Patronize Home Industries," or institutions, seemed to
have been forgotten. The sentiment began to prevail that
any school abroad was bett r than one at home. The gener-

154 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

al prevalence of this sentiment tended to put a slight check
upon the successful development of the work at Oak Hill.
It was bereft of the presence and co-operation of its older
and best trained pupils, just when their example of self-con-
trol and habits of study were beginning to exert a good in-
fluence over the new ones,

XVIII

CLOSED IN 1904

In the spring of 1904, as there was no one available to
manage it, the school was closed, and a student was entrust-
ed with the care of the buildings, stock and crops.

As this was the year the land in Indian Territory was
allotted to the Indians and their former slaves, individually,
Mr. Haymaker remained until he secured the allotment of
two tracts of forty acres each, on which the buildings of the
academy were located, one to a graduate student and the
other to a friendly full blood Choctaw woman; with the
understanding that, when the restrictions should be remov-
ed, the allottees or owners would sell them to the Board of
Missions for Freedmen, to be held and used as a permanent
site for the institution.

In August Miss Bertha L. Ahrens of Grant, a mission-
ary teacher of the Board, became the custodian of the build-
ings and other property belonging to the institution.

A few days later, Soloman Buchanan, a former student
from Texas, returned and making his home there, began to
take care of the stock and crops. His general efficiency,
manifest interest and good staying quality enabled him to
become ever since a very valuable helper, during term time.

XIX

REOPENING AND ORGANIZATION

1905.

TWO-FOLD ORGANIZATION OF THE WORKERS.— NEW FEAT-
URES.— CHARACTER BUILDING.— VISIT OF MRS. V. P.
BOGGS.

"Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can." — Wesley.

lV^S^ (£ ^'nFTER two veeks of voluntary service in the
/' \ yt vicinity of the Academy, visiting churches,
L J|j schools, institutes and towns, making the
L. >W/ trips thro- gh the timber with a team of
^-^^ faithful bi t superannuated mules, and de-
livering addresses in as mi ny as eight different places, dur-
ing the month preceding, the academy was reopened for a
three months term in February, 1905, under the manage-
ment of Rev. and Mrs. R. E Flickinger of Fonda, Iowa. They
had for their assistants, Miss Adelia M. Eaton, Fonda,
Iowa, matron, Miss Bertha L. Ahrens, principal, Miss Malin-
da A. Hall and Henry C. Shoals, assistants in the cooking
and farming departments, and Solomon Buchanan, a volun-
teer student accompanist and general helper.

TWO FOLD ORGANIZATION OF THE WORKERS
The moral and religious instruction was organized after
the following manner. The Bible was supplied and read by

(155)

156 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

all as a daily text book in the school. The lady principal
served as superintendent of the Sunday school, and as or-
ganist and chorister at all the other meetings. The assist-
ant superintendent took charge of the primary department
of the Sunday school, the matron, the Bible class; the as-
sistant matron, the intermediate class, and the general man-
agement of the work among the Christian Endeavorers, se-
lecting and aiding the leaders in their preparation for and
conduct of their meetings on Sabbath evenings, in which
all the students were required to participate. Mr. Buchan-
an served as organist for the Sunday school and accompanist
on the piano at the other meetings.

The superintendent, in addition to attending and par-
ticipating in the Sabbath school and Endeavor meetings,
which were held on Sabbath mornings and evenings, con-
ducted the preaching service on Sabbath morning, the Bible
memory meetings at 2:30 on Sabbath afternoons and the
mid-week service, which was held on Friday evenings.

VOICE CULTURE.

The training and development of their youthful voices,
for efficient participation by song or story in religious meet-
ings on their return home, was made a distinct aim and ob-
ject at the Friday evening meetings.

This special vocal training was based on the fact, that
in all the recorded instances of the manifestation of divine
or spiritual power, it has been communicated through the
use or instrumentality of the human voice. The annual re-
sults, of this training of their voices for a sacred use, were
a very gratifying surprise to all the patrons of the school.

The superintendent also conducted the family worship
at which all of the students and teachers were present. It
consisted in the daily reading of the Scriptures and prayer

REOPENING AND ORGANIZATION 157

immediately at the close of the morning and evening meals.
Twice a week the young people united in repeating a Psalm
or other appropriate selection and the Lord's Prayer.

He also invariably attended and participated by a word
of encouragement in the Sunday school and Endeavor meet-
ings.

CHARACTER BUILDING

It was the constant endeavor of the superintendent to
make the hours spent together on Sabbath afternoons and
Friday evenings, not only the most instructive and profit-
able of all the week to the students, in the matter of their
character building, but also the most joyous and happy to
all of them. All cares and troubles were forgotten, while
repeating responsively and cheerily together many of the
most thrilling and comforting passages of the Bible, or
singing merrily the beautiful hymns, plantation melodies,
sacred anthems and patriotic glees, that enlisted mutual
attention and interest. The joyous blending of their many
happy, youthful voices, sometimes soft and low, then rising
and swelling with all possible animation into full chorus,
while singing together the "Beautiful Story" that "Never
Grows Old" and "Must be Told," "Break Forth into Joy,"
"Before Jehovah's Throne," "Hail to the Flag," "Free-
dom's Banner" and similar familiar selections, are sweet
and blessed treasures of the memory, that are invariably
recalled with pleasure and delight.

NEW FEATURES

In addition to the branches that had been previously
taught, arrangements were now made for special instruc-
tion in voice culture and vocal music, one hour a week for all
the pupils; and the young men in agriculture, horticulture,
house-painting, carpentry and masonry.

158 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

The aim of these new departments was to awaken an
intelligent interest and make every one familiar with the
principles that would enable them to make
The Farm,

The Garden,

The Orchard,
The Dairy,

The Cattle,

The pigs and Poultry,
all a source of greatest profit to them as owners.

An earnest effort was also made to check the stream
of migration to distant schools, by bringing the work at
Oak Hill to such a degree of efficiency as to meet the real
needs of every young person in its vicinity.

This was successfully accomplished by a voluntary and
gratuitous establishment, on the part of the superintend-
ent and principal, of Normal and Theological departments,
that were maintained as long as there was any real need
for them; the former until the fall of 1907, the last year
under territorial rule preceding the establishment of county
normal institutes; and the latter in 1910, when the last
licentiate was ordained to the full work of the gospel min-
istry.

VISIT OF MRS. V. P. BOGGS, SECRETARY
The late Mrs. V. P. Boggs, secretary of the Women's
Department of the Freedmen's Board was a welcome vis-
itor in the fall of 1907. Her observations were afterwards
summarized in a printed report as follows:

"Since the re-opening of Oak Hill Academy in February
1905 it has had an era of prosperity that promises perma-
nency. Many improvements have been made, new buildings
for farm purposes have been erected, much of the land has
been refenced and is gradually being brought under a high-

REOPENING AND ORGANIZATION 159

er state of cultivation, and there is a general improvement
in the appearance of the entire premises, that reflects credit
on the management, as well as upon the boys who do the
work. The literary work progresses under well trained
teachers, and a normal department has been added that
teachers may be better fitted to supply the schools, which
it is hoped will be maintained in the south part of the Ter-
ritory. The home department is managed, to the comfort
and happiness of all by the wife of the superintendent, who
'looketh well to the ways of her household.' The matron's
duties, which include the general management of all mat-
ters relating to the work in the Girls' Hall, including the
sewing, laundry and kitchen departments, are performed
with conscientiousness and enthusiasm. A former graduate
student is rendering very efficient service in the cooking
department."

"The property of the Board, farm and buildings, is the
most attractive and prosperous in appearance in that region.
The location is beautiful, the buildings good for that section
are well painted, the ground well fenced and in good order.
Some good farm buildings have been erected by the stu-
dents and they have painted other large buildings in a very
workmanlike manner. Considerable land has been re-
deemed from a state of wildness. Thrift and order are ap-
parent everywhere indoors and out."— V. P. Boggs, Secre-
tary Woman's Department.

SUCCESSION OF HELPERS.

The succession of helpers during the eight years, 1905
to 1912, inclusive, when Rev. R. E. Fiickinger was Superin-
tendent, was as follows:

Assistant Superintendent: Mrs. Mary A. Fiickinger,
Feb. 1, 1905, to Aug. 1, 1909.

Principals: Miss Bertha L. Ahrens, Feb. 1, 1905,-
Feb. 1, 1911, having been previously custodian of the prem-
ises from Aug. 1, 1904 ; Mrs. W. H. Carroll, Feb. 1, to May
27, 1911 ; Rev. W. H. Carroll, Oct. 1, 1911, to June 13, 1912.

Matrons: Adelia M. Eaton, Feb. 1, 1905, to June 5,
1908 ; Mrs. John Claypool, 1908-09 ; Mary I. Weimer, 1909-
1911 ; Jo Lu Wolcott, Feb. 27 to June 13, 1912.

160 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Assistant Teachers: Carrie E. Crowe, Oct. 1, 1905 to
Jan. 31, 1906; Mrs. Sarah L. Wallace, Feb. 1 to Mar. 31,
1906 ; Mary A. Donaldson, April 1 to May 31, 1906 ; Rev. W.
H. Carroll, Oct. 28, 1907, to May 28, 1908, and Oct. 25, 1909,
to Apr. 28, 1910 ; Samuel A. Folsom, Oct. 26, 1908, to May
28, 1909; Solomon H. Buchanan, Nov. 15, 1910, to 1911;
Mrs. W. H. Carroll, Oct. 16, 1911, to June 13, 1912.

Assistants in the Cooking Department and Sewing
Room: Malinda A. Hall, Feb. 1, 1905, to June 30, 1909, and
Nov. 15, 1910, to June 15, 1911; Mrs. Virginia Wofford,
1909 ; Ruby Moore and Ruby Peete, 1909 to 1910 ; Lucretia
C. Brown, 1911 to 1912 ; Ora Perry, 1912.

Pianist and Librarian: Solomon H. Buchanan, 1905-
1912, except 1909.

Foremen, Carpenters: Samuel A. Folsom and Edward
Hollingsworth in 1910.

Whilst the great need of the colored people in the South
is the opportunity for intellectual, manual, moral and reli-
gious training, to all of which they are readily responsive
and make encouraging improvement, it remains a fact, that
the material development of the southern states depends in
a great measure upon the general education and intelligence
of the colored people; and that a manifestation of prejudice
against their general education through public or mission
schools is sinful, impolitic and unpatriotic.

It is only a few years since the report was made that in
Florida 64.5 per cent, in South Carolina, 69.5, and in Louis-
iana, 76.4 per cent of the children of school age were un-
provided for with school privileges.

Under favorable conditions it is a delightful work to
supply a need for which there is so great and urgent a de-

Mrs. Mary A. Flickinger. Mrs. John Claypool.

Bertha L. Ahrens.

Adelia M. Eaton.

160

Robert Elliott Flickinger.

REOPENING AND ORGANIZATION

161

mand, and such manifest appreciation, and, that means so
much in promoting the intelligence and thereby increasing
the happiness and prosperity of so many of the common peo-
ple, whose general education tends to make our nation
greater.

THE PROSPECTUS IN 1912

SCHOOL AND WORK PERIODS.— FARM WORK.— IMPROVE-
MENT WORK.— SAWING WOOD A PICNIC.

"Art and science soon would fade

And commerce dead would fall,
If the farmer ceased to reap and sow

For the farmer feeds them all."

tyf^N 1912 the prospectus of the academy in-
cluded the following announcements:
Free tuition and books are accorded
'neighborhood pupils under thirteen, that at-
tend regularly after the time of their enroll-
ment. Those over fourteen are expected to pay fifty cents
a month. The hope is expressed that every one living near
the Academy will see the propriety of making the same
noble endeavor to enjoy its valuable privileges for improve-
ment that is made by the many patrons who live at a
distance.

An opportunity will be afforded a limited number of
both boys and girls over fourteen years to work out their
term expenditures, with the exception of $5.00 which must
be paid at the time of enrollment. This opportunity to
work one's own way through school is given to two boys and
two girls during the term at one time and to others during
the vacation period.

After spending six and one-half or seven hours at study
in the class room, three hours, in the latter part of the after-

(162)

THE PROSPECTUS IN 1912 163

noon of each day, are devoted to industrial training and
work on the farm, in the shop, kitchen, laundry or sewing
room. All work during this period is required to be done by
the rule, which is first stated at the time of assignment,
and afterwards illustrated during the hours of work ; and the
student is required to work as silently, thoughtfully and
earnestly as during the hours previously devoted to study.

Parents are requested to note that girls are not allowed
to wear white waists, skirts or dresses, except at the time
of commencement and that each student must supply their
own toilet soap, combs and shoe polish.

The Bible is a required text book and every student is
expected to commit an average of one verse and read one
chapter each day during the term. The passages committed
to memory are recited in concert to the superintendent at
the Bible Memory Service held every Sabbath afternoon.

The actual cost of carrying a boarding student through
the term is about $50.00. Every student that pays $28.00
or does extra work to that amount enjoys a scholarship of
equal amount contributed by the many friends who are sup-
porting the institution. Under this arrangement the stu-
dent that does most to help himself receives most from the
friends who are ready to co-operate with him. The doors
of the Academy are thus open to the penniless and homeless
boy or girl, if they have a desire to be useful and are willing
to work ; but young people who lack funds and at the same
time are unwilling to do extra work to cover the first half of
their expenses, are not regarded as either promising or de-
sirable.

Since one half the cost of carrying boarding students at
the Academy has to be provided for by the generous offer-
ings of friends, who are interested in their temporal, moral

164 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

and spiritual welfare, every student is expected to show his
appreciation of this fact, by being always thoughtful and
earnest, during all the hours set apart each day for study
and work. Only those who learn quickly how to be silent,
thoughtful and earnest workers, make that improvement in
study and work which forms the chief element in the re-
ward of teachers and friends.

The student that makes the most encouraging progress
is the one that enters at the beginning of the term and con-
tinues to attend and work faithfully until the end of it.

The annual report of the superintendent of Indian Ter-
ritory for the year 1907 shows that at the Indian Orphan
School at Wheelock, eight miles east of Oak Hill, the cost of
carrying each pupil a term of nine months was $155.17, or an
average of $17.05 a month. A comparison of these figures
with the cost at that time at Oak Hill, $25.00 a term of
seven months, or $3.60 a month, it is easy to see that the
economy practiced in a mission school is much greater than
in one under government control.

SCHOOL AND WORK PERIODS
Provision is made for eight hours of school work on the
part of the teachers, the first five days of every week of the
term, and one hour on Saturday evening. These are daily
enjoyed by all the smaller pupils. But all over fourteen
years, after enjoying 6V2 hours in the school room, are ex-
pected to work three hours each day in the latter part of
the afternoon, and on Saturdays until 2:30 p. m.

The two leading objects that are attained by this ar-
rangement are, the opportunity to give and receive practical
instruction in the rules, or best methods of doing every part
of the work in the home or on an improved farm ; and enable
those for whose benefit the institution has been established,

THE PROSPECTUS IN 1912 165

to perform the work that is necessary to be done for the
daily comfort of the students during term time, and the
successful and economical management of the farm which
now contains 270 acres, of which 140 acres are enclosed and
100 are under cultivation.

THE WOOD SUPPLY

The sawing and splitting of the wood at the two wood-
piles, to meet the daily demands of the many and large
stoves, that have to be kept constantly running, is the reg-
ular morning and evening chore of those of the boys, that
are not otherwise employed at that time about the build-
ings or stock. The preparation of the fuel in the timber and
again at the woodpiles is, to say the least, a long and rather
monotonous employment. Boys who do not manifest an
interest in this part of their early training, by reason of its
necessity and general healthfulness, are prone to regard it
as a very wearisome employment, until they acquire skill
in the matter of position and movement, and then their de-
light is manifested in efforts to outdo one another.

THE FARM WORK

In order that friends at a distance may know something
of the regular methods of work during the three-hour work
periods of each day and during the period of the term the
following notes are added:

During the first four or more weeks of the term, all the
available student help is busily employed gathering in the
crops of cowpeas, potatoes, corn and cotton. In order that
their undivided attention may be given to this important
work at this time, all the wood needed for fuel during this
period has to be brought from the timber, before the end
of the previous term.

166 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

As soon as the crops have been gathered the long cam-
paign for the year's supply of wood in the timber, — about
25 cords, — has to be undertaken and continued from week
to week, especially on Saturdays until the end of the term.

If the necessary materials are on hand, this is the gold-
en time to start the older and best trained boys on the per-
manent improvement work outlined for the year, such as
fence building, sprouting, clearing of new lands, the con-
struction of conveniences for the school, home or farm, the
repair of old the erection and painting of new buildings and
finally, the preparation of the ground and planting of the
crops for the next year.

The boys, however, are never taken to the timber or
fields when the ground is damp or the weather is cold and
unfavorable. When from these causes they cannot work to
advantage, they continue their studies in the class room,
all the day.

The two winter months of January and February have
been ordinarily unfavorable for student work in the timber
or fields. The work is then, to a considerable extent, limited
to the carpenter shop, cellar, or indoor work on new build-
ings.

IMPROVEMENT WORK

In order that the work performed by the students dur-
ing the industrial hours of each week, may serve to promote
the welfare of the institution as well as for training the in-
dividual, it devolves upon the superintendent and matron to
have ready suitable work, and all the tools and materials
necessary to execute it, when the students are ready for as-
signment.

This work includes the chores morning and evening,
the preparation of the fuel — about twenty-five cords an-

THE PROSPECTUS IN 1912 167

nually, first in the timber and then at the woodpile — the cul-
tivation of the farm and garden, the harvesting of the crops
and the care of the stock, all of which may be termed neces-
sary routine work. '

In addition thereto there may be permanent improve-
ment work, such as the clearing of new lands for cultivation
and enclosing them with good fences, the repair of old and
the erection of new buildings and the manufacture of articles
of furniture or comfort, for the better equipment of the
many rooms in the buildings.

A plain statement of these two kinds of work will indi-
cate to nearly every one the prime importance of endeavor-
ing to accomplish as much improvement work as possible
each term. There is now more of this improvement work
pressing for immediate attention than possibly may be done
during the next three years, but it needs now to be contem-
plated, intelligently provided for, and then executed as
speedily as possible.

SAWING WOOD, A PICNIC
Saturday forenoon has come to be recognized as the
special fuel or timber day of each week. It is a busy and
bustling day for all. For this day's work two dozen boys
are organized and equipped with axes, a splitting outfit, four
cross-cut saws and the mule team. The axe men are di-
vided into two squads, the axe men or stumpers who cut
down trees, and the trimmers who trim the trunks and large
branches. Three boys are assigned to each crosscut, two
of whom are expected to keep the saw running steadily,
while the third one, who is supposed to be resting, carries
a light lever and, with the weight of his body raises the log
under the crosscut, so it will not bind the saw as it goes
through it. By taking turns at the saw and lever, the hard-

168 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

ness of this work is greatly relieved, and it sometimes is sur-
prising to see the amount of work, done by the small boys,
when they have "a mind to work." If the logs are large
or the saw runs hard, it is not unusual for them to couple
together and merrily make the running of the saw a four-
handed affair. The superintendent, or one of the older boys
acting as a foreman, goes before the saws and with an axe
marks out the work for them, so they can work speedily,
and so that every piece that may serve for posts, long or
short, or for fence props or rails, is cut the proper length.

The boys have worked faithfully and industriously in the
timber on Saturday forenoons. A rest of fifteen minutes
has always been given, about the middle of the forenoon.
When the signal is given, they assemble at some convenient
place, where there are several logs suited for seats; for all
are required to be seated as the best way to rest their weary
limbs, during this period.

A pail of fresh water and a paper sack filled with soda
crackers is always provided for their enjoyment at this
time. A smile of pleasure and delight is sure to light up the
countenance of every boy, when, taking his turn, he thrusts
his hand into the paper sack and draws therefrom his ap-
pointed number of crackers.

At these periods of rest and lunch all usually seem as
happy as if they were enjoying a regular social picnic din-
ner. Amid the merriment and pleasantry of the occasion
they seem to forget all consciousness of weariness, or
thought that their work is hard, and resume it again with
pleasure and delight.

XXI

OBLIGATION AND PLEDGES . .

OBLIGATION.— ENDEAVOR. — SELP-HELP STUDENTS. — TEM-
PERANCE.— THE INTOXICATING CUP.— PRESIDENT LIN-
COLN.— PRESIDENT HARRISON.

"Thy vows are upon me O God. I will pay my vows un-
to the Lord, in the presence of all his people." — David.

I. THE STUDENT'S OBLIGATION

<^5^/^N being received as a student of this institu-
"^ *J tion, I do solemnly promise, God helping me,

that I will be obedient to the rules of this
institution and endeavor to prove myself an
earnest student and thoughtful, faithful
worker; that I will be prompt in responding to every call,
pay the cost of repair to any furniture or glass broken, as a
result of thoughtlessness or carelessness on my part; and
that I will refrain from the use of profane or angry words
to man or beast ; and also from the use of tobacco, cigarettes,
snuff, dice, gamblers cards, and intoxicating liquors as a
beverage, while I enjoy the privileges of the academy.

II. CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR PLEDGE

Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ for strength, I prom-
ise him that I will strive to do whatever he would like to
have me do ; that I will pray to Him and read the Bible every
day, and that, so far as I know how, throughout my whole
life, I will endeavor to lead a christian life.

(169)

170 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

III. PLEDGE OF SELF-HELP STUDENTS
As long as I am accorded and enjoy the privilege of a
home and of a student at Oak Hill Academy, recognizing the
fact that my time during the periods of work does not be-
long to me, but to the institution ;

I solemnly pledge my word and honor, God helping
me, that I will refrain from making any engagement else-
where, that might interfere with the faithful and constant
performance of the duties devolving on me at Oak Hill ; that
I will conscientiously keep my word as to the time of my re-
turn, when absent from my home at the academy ; that I will
yield a prompt and cordial obedience to all the rules and
regulations relating to the conduct of students at the acad-
emy, and that I will constantly endeavor to show myself
worthy the confidence and esteem of the superintendent
and his helpers; and not leave the institution until I have
honorably met all of my obligations.

IV. TOTAL-ABSTINENCE PLEDGE
"Abstain from all appearance of evil." — Paul.
"With malice toward none and charity for all, I the un-
dersigned do pledge my word and honor,

GOD HELPING ME
To abstain from all Intoxicating Liquors as a beverage and
that I will, by all honorable means, encourage others to ab-
stain.

OBLIGATION AND PLEDGES

171

An acre of government land costs $1.25, and a bottle of
whiskey about $2.00. How strange that so many people pre-
fer the whiskey.

-,-- UPON THE— If^

|KenitisMeD.whenJ||

felVETH His COLOR !N THE ;?|
fo . ITBITETH LIKE A

fcSERPEN^ | '

\^ A H?5TlNGETHfi'
V>ADDER>

>*¥«

^Rovrxw&.sz.

THE INTOXICATING CUP

Within this glass destruction rides,
And in its depths does ruin swim;

Around its foam perdition glides,
And death is dancing on its brim.

WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT IT

A curse. — Queen Victoria.
A scandal and a shame. — Gladstone.
It stupefies and besots. — Bismark.
The devil in solution. — Sir Wilfred Lawson.
The mother of want and the nurse of crime. — Lord
Brougham.

Saloons are traps for workingmen. — Earl Cairnes.

172 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

The following is the pledge of Abraham Lincoln, the

great emancipator.

"Whereas, the use of alcoholic liquors as a beverage is
productive of pauperism, degradation and crime, and believ-
ing it is our duty to discourage that which produces more
evil than good; we, therefore pledge ourselves to abstain
from the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage."

When Lincoln signed the pledge he was a tall awkward
youth, and the only one that went forward at the meet-
ing in the log school house to sign it that night. When he
was president, "Old Uncle John," who induced him to sign
it, called on him at the White House and Lincoln said :

"I owe more to you than to almost any one of whom I
can think. If I had not signed the pledge in the days of my
youthful temptation, I should probably have gone the way
of a majority of my early companions, who lived drunkard's
lives and are now filling drunkard's graves."

After reconstruction, the next great question is the

overthrow of the liquor traffic. — Abraham Lincoln.

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON

"Gentlemen I have now twice refused your request to
partake of the wine cup. That should be sufficient. I made
a resolve when I started in life, that I would avoid strong
drink: I have never broken that pledge. I am one of a
class of seventeen young men who graduated; the other
sixteen fill drunkard's graves, all due to the pernicious habit
of wine drinking. I owe my health, happiness and pros-
perity to the fact I have never broken my pledge of total
abstinence. I trust you will not again urge me to do so."

This noble answer was given to friends who were din-
ing with him at the old Washington House in Chester, Pa.,
when he was a candidate for president.

XXII

BIBLE STUDY AND MEMORY WORK

AIMS IN BIBLE STUDY.— SELF-CONTROL.— TRAINING THE
MEMORY AND VOICE.— DIVINE TRUTH THE NEED OF ALL.
—ONE BOOK IN THE HOME.— COMMITTED TO MEMORY.—
THE BIBLE ONLY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL.— A LIFE-LONG
GOLDEN TREASURE.— A FOUNTAIN OF BLESSING.— UP-
LIFTING POWER IN NEW HEBRIDES.

"Hold fast the form of sound words ; * * * that ye may
be able to give to every one that asketh, a reason of the
hope that is in you." — Paul.

.^^x^^C/j^HE development of the Bible-memory work,
HP W that, during the later years of this period,
k\\\ moved forward very rapidly, was one of
small beginnings and slow progress at first.
The meetings were held at half past two
o'clock on Sabbath afternoons.

The girls were formed into one class and their meet-
ing was held in the sitting room of the Girls' Hall. The boys
met immediately afterwards in the office of the superin-
tendent in the Boys' Hall.

The weekly lesson consisted in committing to memory
five to seven verses in the more important chapters of the
New Testament and Psalms, commencing with the ten com-
mandments in Exodus XX, 1-17. The passages assigned
were read and studied every week in the school under the
direction of the principal, in order that all the younger
pupils, as well as the older ones, might be able to repeat
them on Sabbath.

At the meetings, which were conducted by the superin-
tendent, the lesson assigned would have to be read over

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174 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

several times in concert before their voices would acquire
the right movement and expression. The effort to train the
memory, by committing scripture verses, was one from
which many of them shrank as being too irksome, and the
weekly lesson of one verse a day would have to be repeated
a number of times, before most of them could continue to
be heard to the end of the lesson. The previous lessons
were then reviewed, to fasten them more firmly on the
memory. The advance lesson was then read together that
all might surely know its place and extent.

AIMS IN BIBLE STUDY

"Accurate Bible Knowledge" and "Character building"
were the keynotes of the instruction given at these meetings.
A third object, that was constantly kept in view, was the
training and development of their youthful voices for pub-
lic address in religious meetings. This was accomplished
by making a large use of the concert drill, both in reading
and repeating the classic and beautiful passages of the
Bible.

The tendency of the new pupils to speak and act badly
from sudden impulse, was freely admitted at these meet-
ings. As a *means of enabling them to put a check on their
impulsive dispositions and acquire the art of self-control,
the following questions were prepared and asked of each,
at the opening of the lesson hour.

1. During the week that has passed, have you re-
frained entirely from the use of profane or quarrelsome
words and actions?

2. Have you been uniformly respectful and obedient
to all of your teachers ?

3. Are you using your spare moments each day for
some good purpose, that will promote your best interests?

BIBLE STUDY AND MEMORY WORK 175

The cordial and helpful cooperation of Miss Adelia
Eaton, our first matron, in connection with this Bible mem-
ory work at the period when it was most difficult to awak-
en interest and enthusiasm in it, was very greatly appreciat-
ed. Although her presence was not required, she volunta-
rily arranged to be present at every meeting. She seldom
if ever participated in the meetings, but she invariably ar-
ranged the room in the most convenient form for the meet-
ing and continued to patiently aid and encourage those of
the girls, to whom this memory work was the hardest, un-
til the last moment before the meeting. The increased at-
tendance of later years, made it advisable to hold these
Bible meetings in the chapel, and there both classes met to-
gether.

TRAINING THE MEMORY

The memory, the natural power of retaining and re-
calling what has been learned, is the basis of all progress
in study. It is the faculty that enriches the mind by pre-
serving the treasures of labor and industry. The beauty
and perfection of all the other mental faculties are de-
pendent on it. Without its aid there can be no advance-
ment in knowledge, arts and sciences ; and no improvement
in virtue, morals and religion.

Those who cannot read acquire knowledge by hearing,
and their vision is occupied principally with large rather
than small objects. It was soon a matter of observation
that the children of illiterate parents in whose homes there
are no books, find it very difficult to learn to read, after they
have passed fourteen years of age. That which is natural
and easy in childhood, becomes more difficult the longer it
is delayed. They form the habit and find it much easier
to acquire knowledge like their parents by the ear, or "by

176 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

air" as it is sometimes called, than by poring over the
letters and words of a printed line in a book. Many that are
over fourteen before they are sent to school shrink from
the mental discipline and labor of learning things so small
as letters and words, and seek relief by looking elsewhere
than on the printed page.

By the aid of a memory that has been trained for ser-
vice in childhood, one is able to learn easily and rapidly;
and also to express their treasures of knowledge in such a
way as to give life and animation to every word that is ut-
tered.

The memory is very responsive to training in childhood
and youth. Its retentive power may then be very greatly
increased by judicious exercise and labor, which have that
distinct end in view, just as the limbs gradually grow
stronger by daily exercise. If it is accustomed to retain
a moderate quantity of knowledge in childhood, it is
strengthened and fitted for more rapid development in
youth. That is the golden period to learn the "form of
sound words," that shall exert a moulding influence upon
the entire life.

Repeated acts form a habit, and habits of thought may
be aided by a methodical system in the arrangement of in-
tellectual possessions. Frequent review, repetition, con-
scious delight in the things to be learned and association of
the new with the known, are important aids to the memory,
that may be profitably observed throughout the entire life.

DIVINE TRUTH THE NEED OF ALL
Truth is the natural food for the mind and does for it
what bread and meat do for the body. The mental facul-
ties include the intellect, the power of thought ; the memory,
the conscience, the power that enables one to distinguish be-

BIBLE STUDY AND MEMORY WORK 177

tween right and wrong; and the judgment, the power of de-
cision. There are no truths so well adapted for the best
training and development of all these faculties, as the great
and important ones that God has so attractively and plain-
ly revealed in His holy word. The poetic parts of the Old
Testament and the words of Jesus in the New, are adapted
alike for the comfort and instruction of childhood, manhood
and old age. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every
word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." "I am the
living bread which came down from heaven ; if any man eat
of this bread he shall live forever."

ONE BOOK IN THE HOME

One aim of the requirement to commit one verse a day
in the Bible presented to each pupil was, of course, to make
even those, whose terms in school were the shortest, fa-
miliar with some of the most important parts of the one
book, they were expected to take to their homes ; but another
distinct aim was to develop the memory of every pupil so as
to make the mastery of other books easier and their pro-
gress in them more rapid.

Every pupil was encouraged to train their memory to
be their ready and faithful servant, so that it would recall
a line, a verse or a rule, when it had been carefully traced
the third time, by the eye.

The definitions and rules form the most important parts
of most of the necessary text-books above the primary de-
partment. The future value of these studies, as well as the
pupils advance in them while in school, depends on his abil-
ity to understand, apply and easily remember the rules. The
thorough teacher will discard the use of those superficial
authors, whose books lack these important parts, tersely
and plainly stated. The sooner that a pupil learns to follow,

178 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

obey and never to violate a rule, the sooner does he begin
to advance rapidly and profitably in his studies.

COMMITTED TO MEMORY

The memory work of a term, according to the rule,
one verse a day, would usually carry the student through the
following passages:

The Oak Hill Endeavor Benediction, Numbers 6, 24-26
and Rev. 1, 5-6; The Ten Commandments Exodus 20, 1-17;
Words of Comfort, Confession and Devotion, Psalms 1st,
8th, 19th, 23d, 27th, 50th, 51st, 90th, 103d, part of the
119th, 122d and 150th; Wise Counsels, Proverbs 3d and
4th ; A new heart promised, Ezekiel 36,25-32 ; John Baptist's
Message, Matthew 3d; The Beatitudes and Sermon on the
Mount, Matthew 5th ; The Divinity of Christ, John 1st ; His
Farewell Address, John 14th ; The Bible inspired, 2 Timothy
3, 14-17. Also the first, half of the Westminster Shorter
Catechism, with its ever memorable beginning, "Man's Chief
end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."

Every new pupil is encouraged to read the Bible in
course, an average of one chapter a day or seven each week,
making report of progress at the Bible hour each Sabbath
afternoon. By this plan many of them read, during their
first term, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts
and Romans.

THE BIBLE ONLY IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

The Inter-National lessons are always prepared for the
Sunday school hour, but always and only from the Bible in
the hand of each scholar. The teachers only are supplied
with other helps, and even these are used only during the
period of preparation. The Bible, black board, map and
charts only are used by the teacher and students during the

BIBLE STUDY AND MEMORY WORK 179

Sunday school session. This use of the Bible only in the
Sunday school, served to create a demand for it on the part
of every scholar and attendant, and to increase the famil-
iarity of each with their own copy of it. It is a good plan
for any teacher or Sunday school, that wishes to promote
reading and circulation of the Scriptures in the homes of
the people.

A LIFE-LONG GOLDEN TREASURE
He has a rich treasure whose memory is well stored
with words from the Holy Scriptures. Such a treasure is
"more to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine gold."
It is a life-long treasure to those who secure it in youth.
It cannot be taken away, but it may be imparted to others.
Whoever shares this treasure with others, sows the good
seed of the Kingdom of God and realizes in his own soul,
that he "who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully."
Committing the scriptures to memory was a delightful
employment to the Psalmist, who said: 'Thy word have I
hid in my heart," and again, "Let my heart be sound in thy
statutes." "Thy statutes have been my songs in the house
of my pilgrimage." "I will never forget thy precepts; for
with them thou hast quickened me and caused me to hate
every false way." "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a
light unto my path." "Order my steps in thy word ; for the
entrance of thy words giveth light."

A BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE

The following beautiful tribute to the Bible, printed by

Soper and Son, Detroit, was pasted on the inside of the front

lid of every Bible presented to the students.

This Book contains the mind of God, the state of man,
the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness
of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are bind-
ing, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable:

180 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practise it to
be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you,
and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, th'e pil-
grim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and
the Christian's charter. Here Paradise is restored, heaven
opened, and the gates of hell disclosed, Christ is its grand
subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end.
It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.
Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of
wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is
given you in life, will be opened in judgment, and be remem-
bered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, re-
wards the greatest labor, and condemns all who trifle with
its sacred contents.

A FOUNTAIN OF BLESSINGS
The Bible is an infallible revelation from God in re-
gard to his own character, will and works. One result of
a practical faith in it is the development of an heroic mis-
sionary spirit. The noblest heroisms that mark the his-
tory of the human race have had their inspiration in im-
plicit faith in the Bible. "Men in whom life was fresh and
strong, and women, the embodiment of gentleness and deli-
cacy, have met the martyrs death of fire, singing until the
red-tongued flames licked up their breath."

It is the fountain from which have come the principles
of a pure morality and "all sweet charities." It has been the
motive power that has effected the regeneration and re-
formation of millions of men. "It has comforted the hum-
ble, consoled the mourning, sustained the suffering and
given trust and triumph to the dying."

Rational minds will ask for no higher proof, that the
Bible, as a revelation from God is reliable, than the nature
and results of the faith that is based upon it. The results
include the noblest phenomena of human experience, the
richest fruitage of our christian civilization. The Bible is
the one great regenerative and redemptive agency in the

BIBLE STUDY AND MEMORY WORK 181

world, and this soon becomes apparent, whenever it is read
in the homes of the people.

UPLIFTING POWER IN NEW HEBRIDES' ISLANDS

A very interesting illustration of this fact has been
narrated by John Inglis a Scottish Missionary to the New
Hebrides. On going there about the middle of the last cen-
tury, he selected for his abode an island occupied by canni-
bals. Among the things he took with him was a mason's
hammer. When he began to dress and square the hard
rocks of the neighborhood to build the chimney of his
house, the novelty of the operation drew a crowd of the na-
tives around him. They looked on in wonder, and were sur-
prised to see the hammer break in pieces and bring into
shape those hard stones, which no one had before attempt-
ed to break.

Missionaries, like philosophers sometimes find "ser-
mons in stones," as well as "good in everything." On this
occasion, he took the stones and the hammer as his text and
gave them a short practical sermon as follows:

"You see these stones and this hammer. You might
strike these stones with a block of wood till you were tired
and you would not break off a single chip ; but when I strike
with a hammer you see how easily they are broken, or cut
into needful shapes. Now God tells us that our hearts are
like stones, and that his Word is like a hammer. Some white
men came among you before the arrival of the missionaries,
and you continued as much heathen as ever. But when the
missionaries came and spoke to you, you gave up your heath-
enism, began to keep the Sabbath day, to worship God and
to live like christians. What caused this difference? The
words of the missionaries were not any louder or stronger
than those of the other white men. The difference was
merely this — the other white men spoke their own words;
they spoke the words of men; and that was like striking
these stones with a piece of wood. But the missionaries in-
stead of speaking to you their own words read to you the

182 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Words of God; and that was like this hammer striking,
breaking and bringing into shape your stony hearts."

This illustration took hold on their imagination; the
sermon on the stones and the hammer was not soon for-
gotten. Many years afterwards, some of the older natives
when leading in prayer in the church would offer the pe-
tition, "0 Lord, thy word is like a hammer, take it and with
it break our stony hearts and shape them according to the
rule of Thy holy law."

There were 3,500 natives on this island. Through the
influence of God's Word, for no other means were employed
save the human voice to make it known, all of them were led
to abandon heathenism and place themselves under Chris-
tian instruction.

These people had no money but they could gather and
prepare arrowroot. They were encouraged to bring this to
the missionaries, in order to secure a supply of Bibles for
the island, with the result that in a few years they sent
$2,500 to the British and Foreign Bible society, London, for
copies of the New Testament and Psalms ; and a few years
later $3,500 to pay for the printing of the Old Testament
in their own language.

There is no instance on record of a like number of
heathen people, so poor, being persuaded to contribute so
much money to obtain any other book ; and why not ? It is
because the Bible alone is divine and this divine power has
subdued human hearts. "Is not my word like as a fire?
saith the Lord ; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock
in pieces?"— Jer. 23. 29.

The Bible is the Book of the Lord, a "sure word of
prophecy, whereunto we do well to take heed, as unto a light
that shineth in a dark place." It challenges us to "prove all
things and hold fast that which is good."

XXIII

DECISION DAYS

CHRISTMAS.— WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY.

"How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord
be God follow him." —Elijah.

h^^^^/PVERY new student at the time of his enroll-

/ P Alt ment was ^^sted to state whether or not
1—^ vill he was a member of church. If a negative
response was received, he was kindly in-
formed it would be regarded as a serious
disappointment, if he did not become an active Christian
worker, during the period he enjoyed the privileges of the
Academy. As a means of enabling every one to manifest
their decision to live a Christian life, Decision days were
held frequently during the term. The first one always oc-
curred at least one week before Christmas ; and the others
about the Day of Prayer for Colleges, Easter and Memorial
Sabbaths. When advantage could not be taken of a volun-
tary visit on the part of a neighboring pastor the co-opera-
tion of one of them was always solicited.

On the first occasion Rev. William Butler was present,
Feb. 11, 1906, and took for his theme in the morning, the
Good Shepherd, and in the evening, the New Heart, his own
heart was gladdened by seeing twenty-three young people
come to the front in response to his appeal and pledge them-
selves to live a Christian life. A month later the pastor's
heart was gladdened anew by receiving fourteen of them into
the membership of the church and administering baptism to

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184 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

ten of them. Two lears later, as the result of an evangel-
istic meeting held on the evening of the closing day of the
Farmers' institute, January 1, 1908, Mr. Butler, who was
one of the speakers at the institute, had the pleasure of
seeing twenty-one other students manifest a decision to live
a Christian life. Rev. Wiley Homer, T. K. Bridges and
Samuel Gladman, assisted and with encouraging results on
other decision days.

In 1910, Washington's birthday, Thursday, was ob-
served by a patriotic and evangelistic meeting at which im-
pressive addresses were delivered by Rev. W. J. Willis of
Garvin and Rev. A. B. Johnson of McAlester. Among those
present were thirteen that had not previously manifested a
decision. In response to the appeal of Mr. Willis, every one
of these thirteen voluntarily arose, came forward and gave
their pledge to live a Christian life. The attainment of a
voluntary pledge from every student in attendance at that
time made this an eventful occasion. It was also deeply im-
pressive. Every one joined in the joyful congratulatory
procession.

As it was the last glad and happy decision day before
the loss of the Girls' Hall, which occurred on the second Sab-
bath following, it has been commemorated by an engraving
from a photo, thoughtfully taken before hand by Miss Mary
Weimer, in which may be seen David Michael, Livingston
Brasco, and William Shoals, who have just returned from
the timber with vines and white flowers to decorate the
chapel for this meeting.

XXIV

THE SELF-HELP DEPARTMENT

FOOLISH NOTIONS.— A PROMISING GIRL.— THOUGHTLESS
BOYS. — THOUGHTFUL YOUNG PEOPLE. — VACATION
WORKERS.— JAMESTOWN COLLEGE.— SUPPORT OF SELF-
SUPPORTING STUDENTS.— HOW IT WORKS.— ENLARGE-
MENT AND PERMANENT IMPROVEMENT.— SELF-SUPPORT
MEANS INDEPENDENCE.— PARK COLLEGE.

"If any would not work, neither should he eat." — Paul.

l^^ixS^^/PHE unexpected disappointments experienced
^* in establishing the self-help department are
worthy of a brief mention. They serve to
illustrate some foolish notions that pre-
vailed among some of our first patrons, and
prepare the way for a good suggestion.

The aim of this department is to enlarge the scope of
the training work of the institution by the employment of
students, as far as possible, to do the necessary work dur-
ing vacations as well as the chores during the school-terms ;
and by this means, reducing the number of hired helpers,
afford lucrative employment to the greatest number of stu-
dents, as a means of self help.

In view of the needy and helpless condition of the peo-
ple in their new homes, and the urgent prospective demand
for more teachers, one would naturally suppose every family
would be eager to take advantage of such an opportunity. The
scheme however was a new one and it was regarded with
suspicion and disfavor. The effort to have leading fam-

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186 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

ilies, those that seemed to stand in the nearest relation to
it by having previously enjoyed its privileges most freely,
cooperate in the establishment of this plan, by permitting
one of their children to remain at the academy during the
vacation period or even do extra work a part of the day
during the term, and thereby be able to continue and com-
plete a course of study that would fit them for teaching,
proved a complete disappointment. This disappointment
was the occasion of two earnest appeals before two different
meetings of the Presbytery, but neither of them received
more than a respectful hearing, no favorable response.

Some, whose children had been previously carried from
year to year gratuitously, no doubt, regarded it as the inno-
vation of a stranger, who was adroitly depriving them of
their former rights and privileges ; while others seemed to
view it as a discovery to their neighbors, that they were
not able to pay for the education of their children. Some
of the larger girls at the academy, when requested' to ar-
range to do some extra work at the school declined, saying
they had homes of their own and did not have to work for
others away from home.

A PROMISING GIRL

That this was not the sentiment, however, of all the
larger girls appears in the following incident. A very
promising girl oi sixteen came to the school oi" her own ac-
cord. She was animated with the desire to become a chris-
tian teacher. About the middle of the term, a younger
brother called with the request from her mother, that she
return home. No reason was assigned and she knew of no
good one. She sent her mother word that she desired to
remain, and resumed her studies. Two weeks later an old-
er brother called with a pre-emptory demand that she return

THE SELF-HELP DEPARTMENT 187

home with him. The reason assigned by her mother for
this unexpected and arbitrary request was, "Daughter can
get along without school as well as her mother." It seems
scarcely necessary to state that this promising and aspir-
ing young lady was not permitted to return.

THOUGHTLESS BOYS

The first to acquiesce in the arrangement to pay a part
of their term expense by working at the academy during
the vacation were some boys, who had not learned to work ;
and it seemed impossible for them to conceal the fact that
they did not want to work. They were not old enough or did
not know enough to appreciate the privileges accorded to
them ; and as many as three of them ran away, when most
needed.

The work deserted by two of these boys was undertaken
by a third one, not then a student. He was a willing worker
and at the end of the summer found that his job at the
academy was his best one during the season. Pie illustrated
the difference between the worthy and the worthless. The
worthy achieve success where the worthless make a miser-
able failure.

THOUGHTFUL YOUNG PEOPLE

It was left for some thoughtful young people living at
a distance to come, take advantage of the opportunities
thus afforded and make this self-help or industrial depart-
ment a real, visible and practical success. While deriving a
life-long benefit for themselves, they have conferred a last-
ing benefit to the institution by remaining long enough to
reach the higher grades. Their efficient service in various
lines of work has served to show that the varied and thor-

188 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

ough training given during recent vacations has been very
valuable to them.

The vacation period has afforded the best opportun-
ity for instruction and practice on the organ, for reading
the many good books in the library and for special train-
ing in farming, carpentry and in the various kinds of work,
like canning fruit or the manufacture of sorghum, that
require attention only during the summer months. It has
hitherto seemed to be the golden period of the year when
the personal responsibility and general efficiency of the
student has been most rapidly developed, a fact no doubt
due to the freer daily association with the superintendent
and teachers. The full course of training provided at the
institution can be fully enjoyed only by those who remain
during the summer months.

VACATION WORKERS
The vacation workers have always been regarded as
members of the Oak Hill family and every personal want
has been promptly supplied. The habit of reading or learn-
ing something every day, kept them prepared for doing
their best work on the first as well as their last day of the
term; while others would take a week or month, perhaps
before they could settle down to good work in the school
room. They were allowed a reasonable credit for every
day they worked during the vacation and were not request-
ed to do any extra work during the term, except in cases of
emergency. The self-help students, who rendered extra ser-
vice during the term, dropped one study, and they also re-
ceived a reasonable allowance for all the extra work they
performed.

JAMESTOWN COLLEGE
Effective christian work by students at home during
the summer vacation was admirably illustrated by the

THE SELF-HELP DEPARTMENT 189

young people attending the Presbyterian college at James-
town, North Dakota, during the summer of 1913.

Every student at the close of the term had formed
the decision to lead a christian life. Under the inspiration
of a resident lawyer, John Knouff, a number of them be-
came members of the mission band that had for its object
the ingathering of new scholars into their own Sabbath
schools, and the college they were attending.

The result was a very pleasant surprise and a source
of great profit to all of them. They reported the organiza-
tion of a score of new Sunday schools in neglected commun-
ities, and an enrollment of 1231 new scholars through their
instrumentality. An incidental result was a greatly in-
creased enrollment of new students at the college they had
so worthily represented.

SUPPORT OF SELF-SUPPORTING STUDENTS
Where does the money come from that is necessary to
meet the monthly allowances placed to the credit of the
self-help students? This is a very practical question and a
few thoughts on it may be helpful.

When a farmer employs a man to help him on his farm
he expects to pay him from the annual cash income, when
the products of the farm are sold. This would naturally be
true of the boys who do the farm work at Oak Hill if there
was a surplus to sell ; but hitherto it has not been sufficient
to meet the demands of the boarding department and stock.
It would however not be true of the work of the boys
who build fence, clear new land or erect and improve build-
ings. The product of the labor of these students is a per-
manent improvement, that increases the value of the land
to the owner, and it cannot be sold annually for cash, like
the products of the farm.

190 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

But the superintendent has to pay cash for the grocer-
ies consumed by these students the same as for the others ;
and when their monthly allowance for labor is transferred
to the enrollment or other account book, it represents an
item for which some one must furnish him the cash. Where
will he get his money ? Who will furnish it to him ? Man-
ifestly he must look to the owner of the property for it, and
the owner in this instance is the Board of Missions for
Freedmen. By using tools and implements the student has
been trained in their use and the results of his work have
become a permanent possession of the Board.

In as much as most permanent improvements do not
ordinarily bring any direct annual income to the Board, but
serve rather to increase the facilities of the school and pro-
vide additional opportunities for self-help, the question
arises, "Where does the Board get the money for the sup-
port of the self-supporting students?"

The answer to this inquiry is, the Board has to solicit
and receive it from the friends of christian education.

This is a very important statement and it is often not
very clearly understood. When the actual cost of carrying
a student through a seven months term is found to be
about $50.00 then that is the lowest amount that will en-
able the superintendent to carry a vacation worker, as a self-
supporting student, through the period of an entire year.

HOW IT WORKS

There are some features of this problem that are quite
interesting. The student that does the most for the perma-
nent improvement of the institution that has educated him,
commonly called his "Alma Mater," or fostering mother,
finds at the time of completing his course, that by that

THE SELF-HELP DEPARTMENT 191

means he has done most for himself, by advancing more
rapidly than others in the course of training and study. He
has also done something in the way of increasing the facil-
ities for the education and uplift of his race.

Whilst his employment was creating a demand for a
benevolent gift from some friend of christian education he
was unconscious of that fact, and is happy in the conscious-
ness, that he is earning his way through school like a man ; —
one, who wants to make most of himself. He goes forth
to enter upon the duties of active life as a true or "good
soldier" prepared to "endure hardness," if necessary, and
ready to lend a helping hand to other worthy young people.
ENLARGEMENT AND PERMANENT IMPROVEMENT

The zealous interest of the superintendent in this self-
help industrial department appears in the broad foundation
lie endeavored to lay for it in the purchase o r so many acres
for the Oak Rill farm.

There were other good motives that prompted the
purchase of land, when the opportunity was afforded to do
so at its virgin price in 1908, such as provision for future
supplies of wood as a cheap fuel, about twenty-five cords
a year being needed, and, ample pastures for the herds of
cattle and hogs, that are easily and profitably raised and
greatly needed, but the most urgent motive was the earnest
desire to provide an agricultural base large enough to en-
able the self-help department of the academy to become
in time self-supporting.

"Enlargement" and "permanent improvement" became
the watchwords while laying the foundation for this de-
partment.

The manifest need of it had been deeply and indellibly
impressed. The conviction also prevailed that, when prop-

192 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

erly organized and developed, so as to meet their most
urgent needs, the self-help department in an educational
institution works like a live magnet in attracting the pat-
ronage of many worthy young people.

Permanent improvement year after year by self-sup-
porting students, seeking training is an arrangement that
has in it the germ of expansion, that means enlargement
and growth with passing years. This was the ideal to-
wards which we were moving with might and main. We
wanted to plant the live magnet, that would make Oak Hill
an attractive and pre-eminently useful educational center
for all. the Choctaw Freedmen.

There are no annual taxes on lands used for public or
mission school purposes, and all the annual income tends
to lessen to the Board, the local expenses of the teachers
and students. The net income from the farm is the surplus
that remains after deducting the cost of management from
the gross receipts.

Whenever this net income is more than sufficient to
cover the local support of the teachers, it goes toward the
support of the self-supporting students; whenever it is
sufficient to cover all of their monthly allowances, this self-
help department is self-supporting; and special remittances
from the Board will not then be needed for the worthy, in-
dustrious and ambitious young people, in that department.
The attainment of this object is worthy of noble and con-
stant endeavor.

It is also worthy of note, that good agricultural lands,
purchased at the government price in a new section of the
country that is destined to be filled with new settlers, is al-
ways a good investment. The land rapidly increases in value

Oak Hill in 1905.

Flower Gatherers for Decision Day.

February 22, 1910.

192

f->
O
O

THE SELF-HELP DEPARTMENT 193

where the incoming of new settlers causes a rapid increase
in the population.

This annual increase in the value of new land is known
as its "unearned increment." This unearned increment is
now accruing to the Board on every acre that has been
purchased. Those that were purchased first have already-
doubled in value.

Every acre of land added to the Oak Hill farm at its
virgin price means now, by reason of its annual income
and gradual increase in value, a live unit added to the per-
manent endowment of the institution and enlarges the scope
of the self-help department.

SELF-SUPPORT MEANS INDEPENDENCE

The negro needs to be taught to be "self-dependent,
self-reliant and self-respecting."

Wherever public schools have been established and
supplied with good teachers and text-books, they have rend-
ered efficient service in improving the condition of the peo-
ple. The lack of text-books has caused many of the rural
schools to prove very inefficient, one text-book often having
to serve as many as three pupils, Then there are yet large
sections of some of the southern states in which there are
no public schools for the colored people.

In proportion as the colored people attain a general
christian education and become progressive, industrial
workers, do they rise to their natural inheritance; an in-
heritance that brings to them what America now holds of
freedom, justice, opportunity and benevolence to the op-
pressed of other lands, that are coming a million a year, to
locate in this land of civil and religious freedom.

Among their essential needs to self-support are a fair

194 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

industrial opportunity, distribution, education and equal
protection of the laws.

Whenever too many unskilled workers, including women
and children, crowd into towns and cities, the number that
have to live in poverty-stricken hovels is greatly increased.
Their general health and good morals are also endangered.

Every youth will do well to adopt the thrilling watch-
words of the early American patriots, "Virtue, Liberty, and
Independence."

PARK COLLEGE

Rev. John A. McAfee, the eminent founder of Park Col-
lege, Parkville, near Kansas City, Missouri, realizing the
need of hardy and energetic ministers during the pioneer
days of Missouri and Kansas, manifested a commendable
wisdom and foresight in the planting of that institution, by
making special provision for the self-help of those, who
were candidates for the ministry and those wishing to be
missionary teachers. The self-help department then estab-
lished has greatly promoted its growth, and increased its
usefulness. The visitor now sees a beautiful campus of 20
acres occupied by massive stone buildings erected largely
by student labor. They include a fine administration build-
ing, chapel, library, observatory, boarding and professors
houses, and a half dozen large dormitories. He will also find
an attendance of 420 students, and a farm of 500 acres
cultivated by them.

Its worthy representatives in the ministry may now be
found in nearly every state of the Union and many, as for-
eign missionaries and teachers, are doing a noble work in
other lands. A large proportion of its most worthy repre-
sentatives owe their present position and usefulness to the
opportunity for self-help, provided in the agricultural and

THE SELF-HELP DEPARTMENT 195

mechanical departments, while pursuing their studies at
this classical institution.

It was founded in 1875 and was named after Col. George
S. Park, the friend and helper of Rev. John A. McAfee. He
donated the original college building and one hundred
acres of land. At present the college owns 1000 acres, 500
of which are in the college farm. Both of its worthy found-
ers died about the year 1890, but the good work of the in-
stitution they planted is going forward with annually in-
creasing usefulness. Though established more recently than
many others, it is now very highly prized as one of the most
important of our Presbyterian colleges, in maintaining the
supply of well trained ministers and christian teachers.

A SUGGESTION TO PARENTS
Having stated the aims and advantages of the self-help
department the following suggestion to parents seems ap-
propriate.

If you have a bright son or daughter that can be spared
for a time at home, take your child, as Hannah did Samuel,
while he is young enough to learn rapidly, to the superin-
tendent of the academy, and, if the way be clear, enter into
an agreement as Hannah did, that he shall remain there, if
needed, until he has completed the course of study provided
at the institution, earning his expenses, as far as possible,
by his own industry.

Regard your contract as a matter of honor and refrain
from calling him away when his services have begun to be of
some value to the institution, merely because you need some
one to do a few day's work. Encourage him to be true and

faithful, that he may win and hold the esteem and confi-
dence of his instructors.

If a number of parents will pursue this policy, the acad-
emy will accomplish its mission and prove a boon and bless-
ing to you as a people, one generation serving another.

XXV

INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION

A TRAINING PERIOD.— INDEPENDENT HOMES.— DOMESTIC
TRAINING.— HIGHLAND PARK COLLEGE.— BOOKER T.
WASHINGTON.— SAM DALY.

"Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work." "What
thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."

PUBLIC education is at present passing
through a transition stage. The emphasis
in the school courses of previous genera-
tions was upon the culture of the mind and
the appeal was made for a high classical
training, but now that the work on the farms as well as in
the shops is largely done by costly machinery, the emphasis
of school work is being rapidly transferred to the hand, and
the appeal is for manual or vocational training and domestic
science.

Its aim is to reach and train for a successful self-sup-
porting career, the great majority of young people who can-
not pursue their studies beyond the fifth to the eighth
grades.

Our country has made wonderful progress in the arts
and sciences including new inventions, during the last half
century. The scope of the "Natural Philosophy" and "Fa-
miliar Science" of a few years ago has been very greatly
enlarged.

The country has been spanned and crossed in every
direction by great systems of standard and interurban rail-
dee)

INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION 197

ways. Automobiles are in popular use on the highways and
powerful tractors do the threshing, corn-shelling and plow-
ing on the farm. Oil engines and electric motors are in
use on the farms and in the homes of the people. The last
of the good agricultural lands have been opened for settle-
ment and are now occupied. Agriculture, animal husbandry,
horticulture, dairying and even housekeeping have been
reduced to a science, by the statement of essential princi-
ples, the same as in architecture and civil-engineering. Suc-
cess in them depends on a practical knowledge of the art,
as well as a theoretical knowledge of the science.

A few years ago the pressing demand was for teachers
and normal instructors for their preparation. The demand
for teachers in constantly increasing numbers continues,
but it is now rivaled by the present demand for young peo-
ple, who understand the principles of mechanical construc-
tion, whose hands have been trained to use costly and deli-
cate machinery aright and properly care for it. Success and
self-support on the farm as well as elsewhere now require
the trained hand as well as the intelligent mind.

INDEPENDENT HOMES

Self-support is essential to the possession of a perma-
nent and happy home.

No home can be permanent while there is no assured
means of support. While the father depends on uncertain
day labor and the mother knows little or nothing of econ-
omy in the household and even less about the care, train-
ing and discipline of children, there can be but little pro-
gress made in the home or church life.

Dependent homes mean dependent churches, while pros-
perous homes mean self-supporting churches. In this fact
is found a great motive for the church in her educational

198 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

missionary work to make suitable provision for teaching the
young the useful or necessary arts of life, and some know-
ledge of the sciences, while offering to them the bread and
the water of life, through the establishment of christian
educational institutions.

DOMESTIC TRAINING

A recent debate in the House of Congress at Washing-
ton developed a unanimous sentiment, that a good cook is
more cultured than a pianist, and that girls should not be
allowed piano lessons until they learn how to cook good bis-
cuits. We have read of girls "whose heads were stuffed
with useless knowledge, but not one in twenty knew the
things that would be serviceable to her through life. They
could not sew or cook."

At Oak Hill it is different. Every girl at ten begins to
take her monthly turn in learning to cook, mend and sew.
She is taught the art and the rules of these useful employ-
ments the same as those of reading, writing and arthmetic
in the school room.

The business of housekeeping is thus early introduced
to the mind of the child, to awaken its thoughtfulness and
develop efficiency in the future work of managing a home.
This connects the teaching of the school with the life of the
home. It makes the instruction a real and practical help
instead of being merely theoretical. It affords pleasant
and profitable employment to the pupils during spare mo-
ments that would otherwise be lost in idle loafing or play.

The business of housekeeping is attracting the at-
tention of schools of learning and of legislatures more and
more every year. Some states, like Indiana, are making
large investments to promote training in domestic science
in the schools of the state. The great results achieved in re-

INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION 199

cent years by health regulations, in checking and suppress-
ing contagious diseases, have greatly increased the scope of
this instruction. It now includes in the higher schools, the
new applications of the principles of nutrition, the chem-
istry of cleaning and the laws of hygiene, or health.

HIGHLAND PARK COLLEGE
At Highland Park College, Des Moines, Iowa, having an
enrollment of 2,500 young people in the capital city of one of
our most highly favored states in the valley of the Missis-
sippi, ninety-five per cent of them never go beyond the sev-
enth and eighth grades and only two percent go to higher
institutions of learning. This eminently successful insti-
tution attracts young people from all parts of our land and
this last year from twelve foreign countries. 500 young
men, one fifth of its enrollment are in shops. This institu-
tion is the embodiment of the genius and a splendid monu-
ment to the memory of its founder, Dr. O. F. Longwell, who
for twenty-four years served as its president, having pre-
viously secured a remarkable development of the Western
Normal college at Shenandoah.

BOOKER T. WASHINGTON

The industrial scheme of Booker T. Washington at
Tuskeegee is an intelligent negro's idea of what the illiterate
negro needs to help himself. It is undoubtedly the best
scheme to enable him to attain self support.

Started as a private enterprise its patronage soon over-
taxed its equipment of buildings and attracted public aid
from the legislature of Alabama, and later large gifts
from many wealthy people in our larger northern cities,
some of whom endeavor to visit it once a year to note its an-
nual progress and needs.

200 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

The remarkable success of this industrial institution
and the immeasurable amount of good it has already done,
during the lifetime of its founder, in bettering the temporal
welfare of thousands of colored people in the south, have
tended to make it the most prominent illustration of prac-
tical and successful industrial education among the colored
people of this or any other land.

SAM DALY
Sam Daly of Tuscaloosa, an illiterate janitor of the Uni-
versity of Alabama, previous to 1903, and died at Atlanta,
while attending the Presbyterian General Assembly in May
1913, is a splendid illustration of what one may do for the
good of his race.

At the time of his death he left to be cared for by
others a 500 acre farm of his own, fourteen miles from town
on which he was voluntarily caring for 270 convicted and
vice steeped colored boys from the cities of that state.

He established an industrial school for boys on his
own farm, to save convicted and bad boys from prison ; re-
ceived them from the police judges and conveyed them to
the farm. They had become a nuisance and burden to the
public, but he housed, fed and clothed this large family
without receiving a dollar of public funds of Jefferson coun-
ty ; and from the church, only forty dollars, for a sleeping
room for them and the salary of a teacher. The rest of
their support was obtained from their daily toil on the farm.

At last the number of boys and the cost of keeping them
became so great, he was compelled for their sakes to put
a mortgage of eighteen hundred dollars on his farm. This
impelled him to go to the Assembly (South) to make an
appeal for funds. Unfortunately he suddenly became ill
and died before he was able to make his appeal. His last

INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION 201

words were: 'Take care — take good care ob mah little
niggahs !"

He had saved, by industrial occupation and farming,
for good citizenship in Alabama, three hundred boys convict-
ed of crimes and misdemeanors. It was a sad disappoint-
ment to him that he was unable to present to the Assembly
an appeal on behalf of those still under his care.

Sam Daly was a good janitor, but when he began to
make good men of useless and bad boys, his value to the state
of Alabama was increased many fold. This brief record of
his generous, energetic and heroic work is made that it
may serve as an inspiration to devise other similar ways of
being useful and helpful.

XXVI

PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS.

PAINTING BOYS HALL.— SURFACE DRAINAGE.— ORCHARD IN
1906.— HOG HOUSES.— SHEDS FOR HAY AND THE STOCK
HOGS.— OAK BRIDGES.— TEMPORARY BOYS HALL.— AD-
DITION TO THE ACADEMY.— GOOD FENCES AROUND THE
CAMPUS.— GARDEN, STOCK YARD AND CULTIVATED
FIELDS.— ELLIOTT HALL.— PULLING STUMPS.

"So built we the wall; for the people had a mind to
work." Nehemiah.

>HE improvements undertaken and completed
by means of the student help began with
the removal of old rubbish, the accumula-
tion of years, and the impenetrable briar
thickets near the buildings.
During the latter part of the first spring term in 1905 the
boys applied two good coats of lead and oil in cream and
white to the Boys' Hall. The work was well done although
it was the first work of the kind any of them had ever at-
tempted. The appearance of the building was greatly im-
proved, and every boy was delighted to find how quickly
the painter's art could be learned.

The black picket and crooked worm fences around the
buildings were then removed and replaced with good
board and wire fences, The extent of good and substantial
fences, erected during this period, aggregate about 100
rods of board and picket fences around the campus, garden
and stock yards ; 12 large farm gates, all hung between tall
posts with overhead tie; and 780 rods of web and barb

(202)

PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS 203

wire fence; all set with good Bodark or Locust posts, top
down and reenforced with a strong oak stub in every pan-
el, making a valuable permanent improvement.

In March 1906 a young orchard was planted consisting
of 50 trees, that include a number of the best varieties of
apples and peaches suited for that section. These were
supplemented with a similar lot in 1913.

The purchase of lands, begun in 1908, as soon as the
restrictions were removed, was continued until 1912 when
the aggregate included fifteen different purchases, making
270 acres and costing $2050.00.

Twenty-five acres were cleared of previously ringed
and dead trees and thirty more were enclosed and cleared
of underbrush and useless trees.

The surface drainage work begun in 1905 and complet-
ed in 1912, included outlets to all the little ponds near the
buildings, the deepening of the artificial pond north of the
buildings, a deep drain with branches through the meadow
and another one through a large slough at the northwest
corner of the farm.

BUILDINGS

The first building erected was a log house 24x32 feet
with a good cistern in 1906, and for the number of its con-
veniences it is an excellent model. A cut and description
of it will be found in the latter part of this volume.

A new shed was also built that year, on the east side of
the commons, for the convenient, daily care of the growing
herd in the pastures.

In 1907 a belfry and farm bell were put on the comb of
the roof of the first girls' hall. An axle was obtained and
a wooden wheel and frame were made for the large old
bell, and it was then mounted in the tower of the chapel.

204 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

The new highway along the railroad to Valliant was
cleared of trees and the materials converted into posts and
fuel. Two substantial oak bridges, live and ten feet long
respectively, were constructed over the streams on this
road to make it passable for the loaded Oak Hill team
during term time.

A string of hay sheds, 64x16 feet, was constructed on
the south side of the feed lot and two portable racks for
feeding hay and fodder economically and conveniently
from the sheds.

In 1908 the enrollment having reached 115, the seat-
ing capacity of the academy was increased by lifting all
the seats and adding an additional row of thirteen double
seats to their number. The academy was then painted
two coats inside and outside and the woodwork of the old
desks was brightened and tinted to correspond with the
new ones. These improvements made it look more beauti-
ful and attractive than ever before.

The porches on the south and west sides of the girls
hall were repaired by the insertion of new joists where
needed and the laying of new floors.

TEMPORARY BOYS' HALL

In 1909, the Boys' Hall having been lost a few days
after the opening of the term, November 8, 1908, a tem-
porary boys' hall 55x24 feet was hastily constructed, its
dedication taking place Feb. 28, 1909, after an address by
Rev. Wiley Homer of Grant. This meeting was held on
a beautiful Sabbath afternoon and the speakers and sing-
ers occupied the wide platform on the west end of the
building. This building was erected entirely by the stu-
dent boys. The materials in it cost $410 and it had apart-
ments for an office, one teacher and twenty-five boys.

PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS 205

It was intended as a place for the workmen while erecting
a new hall for the boys, the material in it then to be used
in lining the new building.

The blistered condition of the front of the girls' hall
and academy from the intense heat of the fire were then
relieved by a thorough scraping, sandpapering and re-
painting.

Owing to the limited accommodations for the boys in
this building, and for the large number of pupils in the
primary department in the academy, an extension of
twelve feet, with an upper room for special students, was
added that fall to thr academy. While this improvement
was under construction, other boys built a new wood shed,
obtained in the timber and prepared the supplies of fuel,
and built 170 rods of new fence. A considerable quanti-
ty of sand was also hauled for the foundation of the new
hall for the boys.

ELLIOTT HALL

In 1910, the erection of Elliott Hall became a necessity
after the disastrous fire which occurred on March 13th.
This building is 80x32 feet, with an extension 6x32 feet,
in front, and a two story addition 18x16 feet, for kitchen
store and bath rooms, at the northwest corner over a
large brick-walled cistern.

This building absorbed the attention of all for more
than a year, although it was opened for occupancy on No-
vember 14th. It was a great undertaking with the few
workmen obtainable. The clearing away of the rubbish,
the excavation for the cellar 28x75 feet and the construc-
tion of the foundation wall, and the same for the large cis-
tern took a good deal more time than was expected, and
all of it was heavy and hard work for every one that par-

206 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

ticipated in it. It was the 15th of June when the cement
wall around the main part of the foundation was complet-
ed by the superintendent, who placed the rock, cement and
reinforcing materials in the walls with his own hands as
a precaution against defects.

The construction of the frame work was entrusted to
Samuel A. Folsom, who, acting as foreman of the carpen-
ters, succeeded in getting the building ready for occupancy
at the end of five months, or November 14th. So great,
however, was the amount of unfinished work in the halls
and rooms upstairs and of cement lining needed for the
excavation walls in the cellar that a considerable number
of students were employed principally at this work during
that and the following term.

Every part of the work on this building was very
faithfully performed. It is a creditable monument to the
memory of every one that wrought upon it. It is symmet-
rical and, though plain, is handsome in appearance and
very convenient in its uses; as an administration building,
girls dormitory and boarding house. The lumber was fur-
nished and delivered by J. R. Bowles of Swink; David
Folsom made the window and door frames; Solomon Bu-
chanan served as foreman of the painters, and he and
George Stewart built the walls of the cistern and the first
story of the chimneys. Edward Hollingsworth, in addi-
tion to important work on other parts of the building,
served as foreman of the construction of the stairways,
belfry and porches. It represents an expenditure of $6,500
in cash and student labor. This does not include the ser-
vices of the superintendent, who had previously prepare'd
the plans for the building and personally superintended
its construction.

PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS 207

LATER IMPROVEMENTS
During 1911 and 1912 while some were putting the
finishing touches on Elliott Hall, the last being the inser-
tion of the fixtures in the two bath rooms and the construc-
tion of a closed room in the cellar for canned fruit and
vegetables, the other boys removed the old oak stumps
from the north field, drained a slough covering four acres
of land, cleaned twenty acres of land for cultivation and built
160 rods of good fence around it. They also built a pretty
and very convenient semi-monitor hen house, with open
front and two out-yards.

PULLING STUMPS
During the month of March, when the ground was
moist and favorable, a squad of the larger boys would some-
times be equipped and employed in pulling stumps, This
was a new employment for all of them, but they soon learned
to make a cheering success of it.

The working outfit consisted of two levers, a very large
and a smaller one, a log chain, sixty feet of inch rope, and
for each of the workmen a shovel and an axe. The method
of procedure was to assign them in teams of two each, to
remove the earth from around a lot of stumps to the width
and depth of about eighteen inches, The larger lever, hav-
ing the middle fold of rope attached to its smaller end,
was placed in a vertical position at the lower side of the
stump and firmly fastened to its crown with a log chain,
the latter passing over its top from the opposite side.
The small lever was placed in position at the side opposite
the larger one, for the use of the foreman. When all the
.boys, in two lines facing each other, had hold of the ends
of the rope and the signal was given, "Ready for a pull,"
something was sure to happen; usually the uprooting of

208 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

the stump, but sometimes the breaking of the log chain,
which was sure to result in making a good natured pile of
the boys. The team did the pulling the first half day, but
the boys did it afterwards, because they were more avail-
able and enjoyed it.

WALL OF ELLIOTT HALL

The concrete wall under Elliott Hall, built by the sup-
erintendent and student boys in the spring of 1910, was the
first work of that kind in this section of the country. The
sand was found and obtained without cost along a stream
in the neighboring timber. The filler consisted of rock and
broken brick from the chimneys of the three buildings that
that had been previously consumed by fire, and they were
incorporated in the wall by hand. The iron used for rein-
forcing the concrete was all obtained from the scrap pile
of the burned buildings. The processes, or methods of pro-
cedure, were new to all the workmen. As the work advanced
it called forth expressions of distrust, rather than confidence
and commendation. The mixing of materials had to be
strictly forbidden save in the presence of the superintend-
ent, whose hands afterwards placed them in position on
the wall.

After the lapse of four years this wall is solid as a rock
in every respect. It has now the reputation of being not
only the first, but also to this date one of the most perfect
and substantial crncrete walls in that section.

WORKING ACCORDING TO RULE
An expert carpenter has observed, "It takes the aver-
age apprentice about one year to discover, that he does not
know how to drive a nail with the skill of an expert;" one
who drives it through hard woods without bending and

PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS 209

brittle, without splitting. This skill is however always
more quickly acquired, when a rule like the following is giv-
en the apprentice at the beginning of his training. "Gripp-
ing the hammer near the end of the handle and setting the
nail slightly slanting from the edges toward the solid cent-
er, strike the top of it fairly with the center of the ham-
mer, starting and finishing it with gentle taps."

Whenever a new tool or implement was put in the hand
of a student, the rules governing its use were fully ex-
plained, and a constant effort was made to have the student
do all work by rule ; whether it was on the farm, in the kitch-
en, laundry or shop, as well as in the class room. The es-
sential parts of the text books, that were reviewed most
frequently, were the definitions and rules. A good position
is the first essential in reading, writing, speaking, sawing,
planing or plowing; and the second is to grasp and use
aright the tool or implement, whether it be the pen, pencil,
brush, axe, hammer or saw. The good effect of patiently
taking the time to make every one familiar with the rules
governing the tools and work, became noticeable very soon
on the part of the older students, both in the better quality
of the work and the larger amount of it performed. Pro-
gress in studies and success in the shop or field depends
largely on the ability to follow the rule, and the decision
never to violate it.

XXVII

ELLIOTT HALL

THE GIRLS HALL LOST AND REPLACED.— OLD LOG HOUSE
—DAVID ELLIOTT.— ALICE LEE ELLIOTT.

"Be noble! and the nobleness that lies in other men,
sleeping but never dead, will rise in majesty to meet thine
own." — Lowell.

LOSS OF THE GIRLS HALL

)^^ ><t ^(C^ Sabbath afternoon, March 13, 1910, as we
'' S~^ W left the chapel at the close of a very delight-
ful and profitable Bible Memory service, a
cloud of black smoke was seen moving rap-
idly around the buildings across the view
before us and suggesting a fire in one of the buildings. It
was a sad and sickening surprise. Quickly the word was
passed, "The Girls' Hall is on fire." Rushing into this build-
ing to locate and if possible to suppress the conflagration, we
found it had originated on the third floor, and that a tub of
water had already been applied to it by attendants in the
building, without any hope of checking it, as the flames
were spreading rapidly over the dry roof, fanned by a strong
breeze from the west. The roof was inaccessible both from
the inside and the outside, and in a very few minutes both
sides of it were covered with a fiery sheet of low, devouring
flame similar to that occasionally seen, when fire sweeps
rapidly over ground covered with dry underbrush.

In a very little while the entire building was consumed,
and with it the laundry, smokehouse, old log house, new
woodhouse, stock tank, ten rods of the campus fence, fif-

(210)

ELLIOTT HALL 211

teen cords of wood, the food supplies on hand and nearly
all the furniture and equipment of the Girls' Hall, the home
of the institution.

A fair estimate of the loss sustained is as follows : Girls'
Hall 36x56, $2550: contents, $1175; other buildings and
contents, $250; total $3975.

The girls rooming on the second story, obedient to
instruction, hastened to their rooms and secured all their
effects, but six that were rooming on the third story lost
their trunks and extra clothing.

It is impossible to describe how deeply was felt the loss
of everything at this time, coming as it did so soon after the
loss of the Boys' Hall in 1908. It had been the comfortable
home of the Oak Hill family since 1889. To the superin-
tendent it meant not merely the loss of the property, a kind
of loss that is always more or less deeply felt, but a check
of several years upon plans outlined for the permanent im-
provement of the work of the institution.

This loss was a staggering blow to the superintendent
until he learned the next day that the matron, Miss Weimer,
with the cooperation of Miss Hall, was willing to practice the
self denial needed to make a heroic effort to recover from
it. When this information was received, twenty of the lar-
ger girls were constrained to remain, while the rest were
sent home. Some of these were provided for in the second
story of an addition to the academy building, then nearly
completed, and the school room under it served for a dining
room and kitchen. The school work was resumed the next
day, under Miss Hall with student assistants. The girls
that remained proved helpful in executing the extra work
then necessary, and the experience of self denial no doubt
proved a profitable one to them.

212 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

The old log farm house 46x16 feet, was the last of the
four Oak Hill buildings to yield to the flames. It was built
by the Choctaw Indians about the year 1840, soon after they
were transferred from Mississippi. It was very substantial-
ly constructed and by skilled workmen, who no doubt came
from Fort Towson. The Girls' Hall stood between it and the
well, indicated by the aermotor east of it.

This building was the pioneer home of the academy.
The stages of progress in its use were as follows. The na-
tive school was transferred to it in 1884. Eliza Hartford
began to occupy it in 1886, first as a day school, and three
months later as her home with a boarding school. In the
fall of 1887, a kitchen was added to the west end of it, and
it was then used as a home for the teachers and girls, and
the school was transferred to the new school building. Two
years later it became a dormitory for the boys. After 1895
it was used for storage, a smith and carpenter shop. The
picture showing it on fire is from a photograph taken
by Miss Weimer, after the roof had fallen and the Girls'
Hall was entirely consumed.

DAVID ELLIOTT

The erection of the fine building known as Elliott Hall,
was made possible by the receipt of a gift of $5,000 from
Mr. David Elliott, of LaFayette, Indiana, who expressed
the desire that a school might be established among the
Freedmen that would be a memorial of Alice Lee Elliott,
deceased, his previously devoted wife. It was dedicated to
her memory on June 13, 1912.

Elliott Hall is now the commodious and comfortable
home of the Oak Hill family. It provides a convenient office
for the superintendent, library and reception room, places
for the boarding and laundry departments, rooms and bath

ELLIOTT HALL 213

rooms for the girls. It occupies a beautiful and command-
ing position on the gentle elevation known as Oak Hill. It
stands on the very site previously occupied by the old log
house, but parallel with the survey lines. It forms a center
around which all other needed buildings can be convenient-
ly and permanently located.

Elliott gall is the largest and finest of the buildings
hitherto erected at the academy, and the first of the larger
ones to be built by the local Freedmen. This noteworthy
achievement, occurring so soon after the reopening in 1905,
and the introduction of industrial training in the shop as
well as on the farm, is suggestive of the real and substan-
tial progress made by the young men.

It is also an encouragement to every patron of this in-
stitution, for it practically illustrates the progress that may
be made by every thoughtful and industrious youth. In
view of the fact that there are few or no opportunities for
the young Freedmen to learn carpentry and painting else-
where in its vicinity, this achievement becomes one in
which every Freedman may justly manifest a laudable pride
and express devout thanksgiving.

The memorial offering of Mr. Elliott, that made it pos-
sible, is the largest individual donation yet made to this
institution. It came at a time of our saddest and greatest
need. It is a gift to be very greatly appreciated. Every
Freedman in the region of country benefited and blessed
by this institution, may well be profoundly thankful for
this manifestation of personal interest in your intellectual
and material welfare.

ALICE LEE ELLIOTT

Mrs. Alice Lee Elliott, in memory of whom Elliott Hall
and the Oak Hill Industrial Academy were named in 1910,

214 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

was the faithful and devoted wife of David Elliott, an elder
of the Spring Grove Presbyterian church near LaFayette,
Indiana. She was the daughter of John and Maria Ritchey,
who left Ohio soon after their marriage to found a new home
of their own on the frontier in Indiana. She was born,
January 7, 1846, and was called to her rest in her sixty-
first year, June 27, 1906.

She received a good education in her youth and her
marriage occurred March 2, 1875. Three years later she
became a member of the Dayton Presbyterian church, of
which her husband was already a member, and at once be-
came an earnest and zealous christian worker.

When in later years Mr. and Mrs. Elliott transferred
their membership to Spring Grove Presbyterian church,
because their services were more greatly needed there, she
became a very successful teacher in the Sabbath school and
an enthusiastic leader in their missionary work.

She was amiable and winsome. Although she lived
amid the surroundings of wealth, she was the constant
friend and helper of all classes. Her home was always a
delightful retreat for the ministers of the gospel and those
who represented worthy causes of benovelence and charity.
The Bible, the favorite family church paper and the mis-
sionary magazine were always on the center table and read
regularly.

She was animated with the noble desire to be em-
inently useful and took advantage of every opportunity to
benefit and bless others. Others were captivated and en-
thused by her happy, hopeful spirit, and have accorded to
her this beautiful tribute, "Many daughters have done
virtuously, but thou excellest them all."

When her voice became silent and her eyelids closed in

ELLIOTT HALL 215

death it seemed to her surviving husband that she was wor-
thy and the world would be made better by the erection of a
living or useful, as well as granite memorial. Accordingly
when her last earthly resting place was duly marked with an
appropriate granite memorial, he made a donation of $5000
to the Presbyterian Board of Missions for Freedmen, for
the establishment of an educational institution for the bene-
fit of the colored people of this land, that should bear her
name.

After the loss by fire of two of the main buildings at
Oak Hill Industrial Academy in 1908 and 1910, this fund
was used for the erection of a main building — Elliott Hall
— and the school has since been called the Alice Lee Elliott
Memorial.

The Bible and shorter catechism are to be regularly
and faithfully taught to all pupils, as fundamental in the
development of a good moral character. The hope is in-
dulged that the beautiful story of her unselfish and emin-
ently useful life will prove an incentive to constant, noble
endeavor on the part of every one that enjoys the privi-
leges of the institution that now bears her honored name.

ENDOWMENT
Other friends who have it in mind to leave a legacy to
this greatly needed institution, will do well to consider the
propriety, if possible, of sending the funds to the Freed-
men's Board while living, as Mr. Elliott did, and receive from
the Board, if desired, an endowment bond bearing interest
payable annually to the donor, during the continuance of
the donor's life. By this arrangement the gift becomes a
profitable source of annual support to the donor, and an im-
mediate benefit to the institution, without costs and dis-
counts.

XXVIII

UNFAVORABLE CIRCUMSTANCES

LOSS OF HELPERS AND BUILDINGS.— BOLL WEEVIL.— STATE-
HOOD CHANGES.— EFFICIENT SERVICE REQUIRED.—
INFERENCES.— BURDENS AND FRIENDS.

"All these things are against me." — Jacob.

>HE new era, that had been so auspiciously
continued for three years, and gave promise
of rapid and substantial material develop-
ment, was destined soon to be interrupted
by the experience of three dark days that
occurred, one soon after the other.

On June 5, 1908, one week after the end of the term and
after three and one half years of faithful and efficient serv-
ice as a matron, the death of Miss Adelia M. Eaton occurred
at the institution.

On the 7th of November following the Boys' Hall, and
most of its contents were consumed by fire.

In the spring of 1909 Mrs. Flickinger experienced a ser-
ious injury by falling from the open conveyance while on the
way to Valliant, and, going home for treatment during the
summer was unable to return in the fall and resume her
former duties.

On March 13, 1910, the Girls' Hall, laundry, smoke-
house, wood house and Old Log House, together with most
of their contents, suddenly disappeared in smoke.

Nothing was then left of this cherished and promising
institution, except the chapel, temporary hall for the boys,

(216)

UNFAVORABLE CIRCUMSTANCES

217

built the previous year, and a lot of ashes and burned rub-
bish, the sight of which suggested the loss of comforts and
working outfit; hopes and plans indefinitely deferred if not
completely blasted, and the expenditure of a vast amount
of labor and time to replace and refurnish the buildings
destroyed; and the utter impossibility of any immediate
recovery from the oft-repeated and fatal checks imposed
on the enrollment, ever since the loss of the Boys' Hall in
1908.

BOYS' HALL 18^5-1908

Two rays of light relieved the darkness of the gloom
that followed the experience of these staggering losses.

(1). All of the lady helpers manifested the real spirit
of missionary heroes. Presuming they were greatly need-
ed during the period of reconstruction, instead of running
away when there seemed to be no suitable place for them,

218 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

they discovered a readiness to suggest possible and accept-
able arrangements for their comfort. (2) There was also
available for assistance, a clever squad of intelligent and
trained student boys, one of whom, having served for a
term as an assistant teacher, was believed to be capable
of serving as a foreman of the carpenters; thus making it
possible to erect buildings entirely by the aid of colored
workmen and principally by student labor.

THE BOLL WEEVIL

In 1903 the Mexican boll weevil in its northward mi-
gration from Brownsville, Texas, crossed Red river and,
during the next seven years, continued to deprive the farm-
ers in the country north of that river of all profit on the
cotton, their principal money crop; and greatly to injure
the corn, their food crop. These long repeated ravages of
the weevil came at a time when the colored people were by
no means prepared to meet them.

In 1904 and 1905 they had been allotted 40 acres of
unimproved timber lands appraised at $3.25 an acre, or $130.
The allotment was the occasion of many changes in their
location. They were really pioneer settlers, in their own
native country and without funds to make needed improve-
ments. They were happy in the possession of a home they
could call their own, and entertained great hopes for the
future. But this new and destructive pest, year after year
for seven years, completely checked the prosperity they had
so hopefully anticipated. The years came and went and
they had nothing to sell worthy of mention to bring them
money.

In April 1905, at the first meeting of the Presbytery
after the reopening, many of the colored people voluntarily
and enthusiastically united in making pledges for the pur-

UNFAVORABLE CIRCUMSTANCES 219

chase of the land needed for the buildings and farm at Oak
Hill. But of the many generous hearted friends, who united
in pledging about $300.00 at this time, only ministers and
teachers receiving aid from the board, and a couple of others
ever became able to pay these pledges.

Parents bringing their children to school, with only a
few or no dollars in hand, would make pledges of payment
during the term. The amount proposed was $25.00 for
boarding a pupil seven months, about one half the real cost.
When they became convinced they had no money to send,
some would send for their children during the term,
while others would leave them at the end of the term with-
out notice, and even make it necessary for the superintend-
ent to pay their way home.

These disappointing experiences had a two-fold effect
on the school. They meant the loss, not merely of some ex-
pected income, but almost invariably of the pupil and pa-
tron, and the constant change of the student body prevents
the development of the higher grades which must be
reached by the students, if the school is to accomplish its
mission, namely the training and development of christian
teachers.

The term reports of the last eight years will show that
all the full term students that continued long enough to
reach the higher grades, 7th and 8th, were self supporting
ones, who were either sent to remain at the academy dur-
ing the vacation periods until they completed their course,
or were accorded the opportunity to work out a part of their
expenses at the academy. The full term students whose
boarding was entirely paid by their parents did not average
a half dozen a term.

220 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Inability to provide for their board, meant the loss of
the brightest and most promising pupils of the earlier years,
about the time they reached the fifth grade. But a good
boarding school can be developed only where the conditions
are favorable for the continuance of the pupils from year to
year, until they reach the higher grades. The fact that the
7th and 8th grades were reached only during the last two
years and then only by the self-supporting young people
is quite suggestive, not merely of a past embarrassment,
but of that which should be an important feature in the fu-
ture management of the institution, namely, a constant en-
deavor to increase the opportunities for young people to
support themselves by the employment furnished at the
institution.

STATEHOOD CHANGES

Another embarrassment was experienced as a result
of the changes incident to the establishment of statehood.

The constitutional convention that met at Guthrie, the
old capital, Jan. 1, 1907, changed the map of Indian Terri-
tory. From the time the Indians were located in it until
that date the civil divisions consisted of the general allot-
ments to the different tribes or nations and Oak Hill was
near the center of the southern part of the Choctaw nation.
In 1907 when the boundaries of the counties were estab-
lished Oak Hill was near the west line of McCurtain county.
The first election of county officers occurred that fall and
they entered upon their duties on Jan. 1, 1908. It was
made the duty of the county superintendent to divide the
county into school districts so as to meet the needs of the
colored people as well as the whites and Indians.

On Sabbath, Jan. 20, 1908, the first superintendent of

UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES 221

McCurtain county called at the academy and left the pa-
pers showing the establishment of Oak Hill district No. 73,
for the colored people of that neighborhood. The district
included the northeast quarter of section 29, on which the
academy is located and the southeast quarter of the section
adjoining it on the north. The board of education for this
Oak Hill district was organized on February 20th following,
by the election of Henry Prince, chairman, Rev. R. E. Flick-
inger, Secretary; and Malinda A. Hall, treasurer. All this
was done at a time, when the county superintendent could
not think otherwise, than that the teachers and work at the
academy were in some way under his jurisdiction. A little
later the Oak Hill district was quietly quashed and its hon-
orable board of education went into "inocuous desuetude."

This incident is narrated because it illustrates what
was then taking place all over McCurtain county, and all
the other counties of the new state. The law provided that
a district and a school might be established wherever there
were six pupils to attend the school and the people furnished
a building for it. In a short time three schools for the col-
ored people were established in the vicinity of the academy,
and parents were made to believe that they must send their
children to these schools or penalties would be imposed
on them. A host of colored teachers from Texas and other
localities were attracted to the new state to meet the needs
of the public schools, now for the first time established in
the rural districts.

The mission schools previously established for many
years in the chapels of the churches of the Presbytery of
Kiamichi became public schools and the pastors that con-
tinued to teach became public school teachers. Parents were
also for the first time in their lives, taxed for the support

222 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

of their local school. Will they be able and willing to pay
their annual taxes and additional tuition or board at Oak
Hill for the education of their children.

These important changes, occurring both in the imme-
diate neighborhood and also in distant ones that furnished
the supply of students for Oak Hill, were destined to ex-
ert considerable influence on the work of that institution.
What the effect of that influence would be, was a matter of
great anxiety and constant watchfulness on the part of the
superintendent. The previous missions of our Freedmen's
Board at Muskogee, Atoka and Caddo were abandoned as
unnecessary as soon as the increasing population of those
towns made adequate provision for the public education of
their colored children. Shall this be the outcome of the
work at Oak Hill, now that the rural districts are supplied
with public schools and teachers?

EFFICIENT SERVICE REQUIRED

That these changes would temporarily affect the en-
rollment of Oak Hill, even under the most favorable cir-
cumstances was believed to be inevitable. This problem was
all the more difficult to meet, while undergoing the exper-
ience of repeated checks, that made it necessary to send
pupils home during term time on three different occasions
and twice to check their incoming on account of "no room."

The most efficient and faithful service possible, on the
part of the superintendent and teachers, was believed to be
the best means of meeting this crisis. Parents and young
people must also have a little time for observation, that they
might see and be convinced of the greater value of the work
at the academy.

To visitors at the academy the difference was very

UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES 223

quickly perceived. These were some of the things that at-
tracted their special and favorable attention.

The Bible was in the hand of every pupil, and even the
youngest were familiar with many of its most beautiful
and instructive passages.

Every pupil had all the text books he needed from the
day he entered the school.

All that were old enough were required to spend an
hour each evening, in quiet study under the helpful and en-
couraging eye of the principal, in addition to the forenoon
and afternoon hours.

All were forming the habit of using their spare mo-
ments to advantage, by reading some good books from the
library, a church paper, or practicing on some useful musi-
cal instrument.

Their voices were being correctly and rapidly devel-
oped for intelligent use in song and public address.

In the visible results of their work they witnessed
their skill in the necessary arts of life, such as farming,
stock raising, carpentry, painting, masonry, cooking, bak-
ing and sewing.

And then it was very unusual for any pupil to return
home at the end of the term, without having voluntarily be-
come an active christian worker in the endeavor meeting and
Sunday school.

During the spring term in 1905 only 34 pupils were en-
rolled. During the next three years the increase was very
encouraging, the enrollment reaching the full capacity of the
buildings at 115, May 31, 1908.

The loss of buildings that began with the opening of
the next term compelled a reduction in the enrollment. For

224 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

1909 and the subsequent years it was 84, 108, 90 and in
1912, 95.

INFERENCES

It would seem from the foregoing facts, that, whafc
ever demand there was for the Oak Hill Mission as a
school for local elementary instruction in the earlier yearsi
of its history, the conditions of the country, to which its
work must now be adjusted, have experienced a very great
change. So long as there are families living in sparsely
settled districts, that are not provided with ample school
privileges ; or the interest of parents in the welfare of their
children leads them to prefer the select boarding school,
under well-known christian influences, to the rural school;
elementary instruction will be needed at Oak Hill. But the
greater need now is for the higher christian education that
will best fit the young people to become intelligent and suc-
cessful teachers, and for the industrial training that will fit
them for the performance of the necessary duties of life.

A comfortable home on a well-tilled farm, that is every
year increasing in value, is the ideal and happiest place for
ambitious young people. Such a home affords healthful
employment, the greatest freedom and is usually a very
profitable investment.

The young farmer needs not only a knowledge of soils,
their drainage and how to use them to best advantage,
but also a practical knowledge of carpentry and painting,
to enable him to erect good buildings economically and to
take proper care of them afterwards.

The teacher needs this knowledge and training, that he
may create a constant demand for his services during the
long summer days when he is not teaching.

Rev. W. H. Carroll. Sudie B. McNiell. Mrs. W. H. Carroll.

: -^'^ip

Lucretia C. Brown.

Everett Richard.

Malinda A. Hall. Solomon H. Buchanan. Samuel A. Folsom.

224

%-•

UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES 225

The young minister needs this knowledge more than
many others, and a great deal more than is generally ap-
preciated, to enable him to give intelligent counsel to his
people, when they have need to make repairs or build new
churches and parsonages.

As these higher and special lines of industrial instruc-
tion are perfected and emphasized, and the facilities for
self-help both during term time and vacation are gradually
increased, the efficiency and patronage of the academy will
continue to increase with the progress of the years.

BURDENS AND FRIENDS

The deficit in the running expenses on June 30, 1911,
the last day included in the annual report of that year was
$1,693.95. This was the largest deficit at the end of any pre-
vious month, and was a big one with which to commence
the improvement work of our last year. It was due to the
fact that the completion of Elliott Hall with good materials
and workmanship, including furniture, cost nearly $1,500
more than was expected, and the appropriation made for
it.

We were called upon to experience some serious losses
and bear, for considerable periods of time unusually great
and heavy burdens. The burden twice became so great, in-
deed, as to awaken the fear that another straw would break
the camel's back. Happily the needed relief came in time
to avert that unhappy experience, or check the aggressive
onward progress of the improvement work.

When the burden became large and a matter of person-
al anxiety, it also became the measure of the valuable and
loyal co-operation of the new friends who came to our aa-

226 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

sistance, in addition to our Board of Missions for Freedmen ;
which is the first and final resort for the resources that
are necessary to successfully administer, and gradually de-
velop the work of this institution.

We deem it appropriate to gratefully record the names
of those who have most signally aided us in the manage-
ment of the finances, so as to keep them locally on a cash
basis, namely, the Security State bank of Rockwell City,
la. ; 1st National bank of Valliant; and in succession the fol-
lowing dealers in Valliant : O'Bannon & Son ; A. J. Whitfield
and Planters Trading Co.

Hon. T. P. Gore, United States Senator from Oklahoma,
(blind), has favored this institution by sending for its li-
brary more than a dozen valuable volumes, among which
are 2 Year Books of the Department of Agriculture; 2
Handbooks, — I & II, — of theAmerican Indians; Report of
the Commissioner on Education for 1911, in two volumes;
Report on Industrial Education; Manual of the United
States Senate; Directory of Congress, and several other
smaller volumes.

SPECIAL ADDRESSES
During our last term the institution was favored with
encouraging and instructive addresses from the following
distinguished visitors: Rev. Duncan McRuer of Pauls Val-
ley, Moderator of the Synod of Oklahoma ; Rev. E. B. Teis
of Anadarko, Pastoral Evangelist for the Presbytery of
El Reno ; Rev. Phil C. Baird D. D., Pastor of the First Pres-
byterian church of Oklahoma City ; and by Rev. Wiley Hom-
er, Rev. William Butler, Rev. W. J. Starks and Rev. T. K.
Bridges, pastors of local churches, and Rev. M. L. Bethel,
Oklahoma City.

XXIX

BUILDING THE TEMPLE

AN EXERCISE FOR CHILDREN'S DAY, ILLUSTRATED BY A
TEMPLE AND AN ARCH.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children
walk in the truth." — John

Giving all diligence add to your faith, virtue; and to
virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to
temperance, patience ; and to patience, godliness ; and to god-
liness, brotherly kindness ; and to brotherly kindness, char-
ity. He that lacketh these things is blind."— Peter.

\T was the good fortune of the author to be
called to serve as chorister and superintend-
ent of rural Sunday schools, and leader of
the choir of the church, in his early youth.
At the beginning of his ministry, he dis-
covered the relative importance of this work among the
young, by reading the observation of the sainted Samuel
Miller to the effect ; if he could repeat the period of his min-
istry, he would give ten times more time and attention to
the work among the children. This importance was very
acceptably emphasized during the eighties, by the enthus-
iasm of Rev. James A. Worden, D. D., of our Sunday school
Board, and the appointment of a Sabbath in June, to be an-
nually observed as Children's Day.

One of the most prominent features of our ministry
has been, a persistently active participation in the work
among the children and young people. Other engagements
have not been permitted to interfere with attendance at
Sunday school and Endeavor meetings, or an appointment to
meet the children at any of the regular times of rehearsal
of songs and exercises for Easter, Christmas, Children's
Day and other anniversaries. All the young people were

(227)

228 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

encouraged to participate in the effort to make these rally-
ing days, occasions of special instruction and delight. A
number of pretty, and sometimes elaborate, designs were '
devised to add their illuminating effect to the exercises.
Two of these designs, a temple and an arch, both having for
their object, a visible representation of the divinely ap-
pointed elements of a good character, according to the
apostle Peter, and animating power of the indwelling spirit,
manifested by a conscientious observance of the command
to remember the Sabbath, have been deemed worthy of
an illustration in this volume, that those who participated
in them, and others, may be able to reproduce them for
the instruction and delight of others.

Exercises, that consist of passages from the Scrip-
tures, are more valuable than others to the children, when
committed to memory, and they learn them very readily,
when an immediate use is to be made of them at a public
service. The passages suggested for use in these exercises
include many of the most important ones in the Bible, and
as they practice, in the presence of each other, all become
more or less familiar with every one of them. The super-
intendent or leader is expected to arrange the length and
number of the exercises, to suit the number and ages of
those available to participate in them. A single verse may
be best for the child ; but a glance over the additional pas-
sages may be very helpful to the pastor or other person, de-
livering a short address at the close of the children's exer-
cises.

A very pleasing feature of these designs is the fact,
they are constructed by the children as one after the other,
or two together, carry their part to the platform and render
their exercise. One or two are appointed to serve as Master-
builders to receive the stones or tablets, when delivered, and
place them in their proper position.

BUILDING THE TEMPLE

229

A good character is an enduring monument. A good name is rather to be chosen
than great riches.

WALKING IN THE TRUTH

THE
SABBATH

CHARITY

KINDNESS

GODLINESS

PATIENCE

TEMPERANCE

KNOWLEDGE

VIRTUE

FAITH

JESUS

AND HIM

CRUCIFIED

WORD OF GOD

THAT

ENDURETH

AN ENDURING TEMPLE. -A temple for time and eternity, showing the divinely
appointed elements of a good character (2 Peter 1:5-8), their sure foundations; the person
and work of our Lord Jesus and the inspired Word of God; and their crowning bond, the
Sabbath.

230 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

AN EXERCISE FOR CHILDREN'S DAY

(The two master builders standing together)

Master Builder. Dear friends: The Bible tells us that
all are builders. That some are wise and others are foolish.
That some are building on the sand, without any protection
against the storms and floods, that will surely cause their
fall. That some are building with wood, hay or stubble;
or with gold, silver and precious stones, without any protec-
tion against the day, when the fire will consume these
perishable materials. That others, however are building
safely and securely, with divinely appointed materials, on
the Rock of Ages and the unchanging, impregnable Word
of God. That the indwelling Spirit, commonly called the
Comforter, is the occupant, strength and life of their tem-
ple; and their conscientious observance of the Sabbath, is
to them the pledge of Divine favor and the visible sign of
their sure protection.

Assistant Builder. All of you no doubt are familiar
with the words of the poet, Longfellow;

"All are architects of fate

Building on the walls of time;
Some with massive deeds and great,

Others with the ornaments of rhyme.
For the structures that we raise

God's Word is with materials filled;
And our todays and yesterdays

Reveal the materials with which we build."

"We have planned today to build

A temple— on earth, a heaven;
A temple on rocks so solid,

And with materials divinely given,
That all who hear the Master's call

To service and an endless life,
May of this be sure, whate'er befall

They have builded for time aright."

Life is what we make it out of what God puts within
our reach, and every act is a foundation stone for the next
one. Walking in the truth, adding to our faith and building
a temple all mean advancing one step or stone at a time.

Master Builder. The white stone referred to in Revela-
tion was an emblem of pardon and a badge of friendship.

BUILDING THE TEMPLE 231

The stone ordinarily is an emblem of solidity and en-
during strength. In this sense it is an emblem of an eternal
truth, or principle. When Peter confessed, "Thou art the
Christ," Jesus said in regard to his confession, "Thou art
Peter, and on this rock" or fundamental truth, "I am Christ,"
"I will build my church ; and the gates of hell (hades) shall
not prevail against it."

David tells us "The Lord set his feet upon a rock." He
calls the Lord a rock, a fortress and a high tower; and en-
treats the Lord to "lead him to the rock that is higher than
I." Peter speaks of Jesus as a living stone, and of believers
as lively stones that form a spiritual house, an holy priest-
hood.

We are now ready for the foundation.

"And as we build, let each one pray,

That we may build aright ;
That all we do on earth may be

Well pleasing in God's sight."

Chorus. "We're building up the temple,
Building up the temple
Building up the temple of the Lord."

Bearer : We bring the corner stone on which our tem-
ple rests.

Master Builder: This stone represents our Lord Jesus,
the sure foundation. Let us hear of this stone, the Rock of
Ages, what the Bible may tell.

Bearer: "Behold I lay in Zion a chief corner stone,
elect, precious; and he that believeth on him shall not be
confounded. Unto you therefore which believe, he is pre-
cious ; but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which
the builders rejected, the same is made the head of the cor-
ner. Other foundation can no man lay than- that is laid,
which is Jesus Christ.

He said of himself, I am the light of the world. I
am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me
though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liv-
eth and believeth in me shall never die. Without me ye can
do nothing. My grace is sufficient for thee.

Paul said of him, "We preach Christ crucified, unto the
Jews a stumblingblock and unto the Greeks foolishness;

232 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks,
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."

Asst. Bearer: Peter said: "Be it known unto you all,
and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus
Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised
from the dead, even by him doth this man stand before you
whole. This is the stone which was set at nought by you
builders — the Jews — which is become the head of the cor-
ner. Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is
none other name under heaven, given among men whereby
we must be saved."

Bearer: We bring another stone for the foundation.

M. B. This stone represents the Word of God that en-
dureth forever. Let us hear of this stone what the Bible
may tell.

Bearer: "Thou hast known the holy scriptures, which
are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith,
which is in Christ Jesus.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for in-
struction in righteousness: That the man of God may be
perfect; thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

The law of the Lord is perfect; converting the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the
commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judg-
ments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

Asst. Bearer. "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but
my words shall not pass away.

"Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and my words,
of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed when he shall come
in his own glory, and in the glory of the Father and of the
holy angels."

"Ye are built upon the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner
stone ; in whom all the building fitly framed together grow-
eth unto a holy temple in the Lord, for a habitation of God
through the Spirit." See John 1. 4, 14.

M. B. The two fold foundation of our glorious temple

BUILDING THE TEMPLE 233

has now been laid. It consists of the Rock of Ages and the
Word of God that endureth forever. We are now ready for
those good materials for the walls of the temple that are
better than wood, hay or stubble, gold, silver or precious
stones.

FAITH. Bearer: We bring the stone that represents
Faith.

Master Builder : Faith is a goodly stone, and it fits right
well. Let us hear of Faith what the Bible may tell.

(Adjust and repeat for the other stones.)

Bearer : By grace are ye saved through Faith ; and that
not of yourselves ; it is the gift of God.

God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
have everlasting life. He that believeth on the Son hath
everlasting life ; and he that believeth not the Son shall not
see life.

Asst. Bearer: Abraham believed God, and it was ac-
counted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that
they which are of faith, the same are the children of Ab-
raham. They which be of faith are blessed with faithful
Abraham. He that is faithful in that which is least is faith-
ful. Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a
crown of life. See also Rom. 10:8-10.

VIRTUE— COURAGE. B : Whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just;
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report ; if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Thou therefore my son, Timothy, be strong in the
grace that is in Christ Jesus and endure hardness, as a good
soldier of Jesus Christ.

Asst. B: The Lord said unto Joshua, "Be strong and
of a good courage : that thou mayest observe to do according
to all the law, which Moses, my servant commanded thee;
that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This
book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth ; but thou
shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest ob-
serve to do according to all that is written therein ; for then
thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt
have good success." See also Eph. 6:10-17.

234 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

KNOWLEDGE. B: The fear of the Lord is the begin-
ning of knowledge. This is life eternal, that they might
know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou
hast sent.

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and that
the spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the
temple of God, him shall God destroy: for the temple of
God is holy, which temple ye are. See Prov. 4:7-8; 3: 16-17

TEMPERANCE. Abstain from all appearance of evil.
If meat make my brother to offend I will eat no meat while
the world standeth. The fruit of the spirit is love, joy,
peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
temperance; against such there is no law. And 2 Pet. 1:5-6.

PATIENCE. In your patience possess ye your souls.
Let us run with patience the race that is set before us ; look-
ing unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith ; who for
the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despis-
ing the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the
throne of God.

GODLINESS. "Great is the mystery of Godliness:
God manifest in the flesh, believed on in the world and re-
ceived up into glory. Godliness with contentment is great
gain. Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise
of the life that now is and of that which is to come. Fear
God and keep his commandments : for this is the whole duty
of man."

KINDNESS. "Be ye kind one to another, tender heart-
ed, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake
hath forgiven you. Love ye your enemies, and do good;
lend hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be
great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest : for he is
kind unto the unthankful and to the evil."

CHARITY. Though I bestow all my goods to feed the
poor, and though I give my body to be burned and have not
charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long and
is kind. Charity envieth not; beareth all things, believeth
all things, endureth all things. And now abideth faith,
hope and charity, these three, but the greatest of these is
charity." Luke 10:27. I John 3.17.

All repeat 2 Pet. 1:5-8, and review the foundations.

BUILDING THE TEMPLE 235

THE SABBATH. "The Sabbath was made for man and
not man for the Sabbath : therefore the Son of Man is Lord
also of the Sabbath, and the apostle John calls it the Lord's

day."

"From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of
Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be
the weekly Sabbath ; and the first day of the week ever since
to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian

Sabbath."

"And the Lord spake unto Moses saying, verily my
Sabbaths ye shall keep, for it is a sign between me and you
throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am
the Lord that doth sanctify you. It is a sign between me
and the children of Israel for ever."

Isaiah refers to the Sabbath as a pledge of divine favor.
"If thou call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord
and shalt honor it, not doing thine own ways; I will cause
thee to ride upon the high places of the earth and feed thee
with the heritage of Jacob thy father."

Ezekiel, a prophet of the captivity, older than Daniel
and faithful even unto death, refers four times to the pollu-
tion of the Sabbath as one of the principal causes of the
captivity. "The word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
I gave them my Sabbaths to be a sign between me and them,
that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify
them. But the house of Israel walked not in my statutes,
and my Sabbaths they greatly profaned. Then I said I
would greatly pour out my fury upon them to consume them
and scatter them among the heathen."

Abraham Lincoln very truly observed, "As we keep
or break the Sabbath day, we nobly save or meanly lose the
last best hope by which man rises."

Washington and Lincoln, apart from what they did,
were great men. The divine element of a God given char-
acter belonged to each. Goodness is the basis of greatness,
and greatness is character; the ability and willingness to
serve.

All unite in repeating the fourth commandment.

THE DESIGN. It can be ornamented with a gilt cross
and decorated with evergreen festoons pendant over the
ends. Bouquets of the same color can be laid at the corres-
ponding angles.

236 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

THE CROSS. "God forbid that I should glory, save in
the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is
crucified unto me, and I unto the world." — Paul.

The children bringing bouquets can be supplied with
short exercises like the following.

I bring these flowers : Solomon in all his glory was not
arrayed like one of these.

These beautiful flowers I bring,
A grateful offering to my king.

I bring these pretty flowers,

A fragrant relic of Eden's bowers.

I bring these roses fair

To Him who hears my evening prayer.

I bring to him this pretty rose,

Who died and from the dead arose,
To save us all from all our foes.

These flowers I bring to him of whom it was said,
"I am the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys."

"By their fruits ye shall know them." This is the pres-
ent test of character; of men, their teachings and institu-
tions.

Fruit, FRUIT, MORE FRUIT.

Every branch that beareth not
FRUIT

He taketh away ; every branch that beareth

FRUIT
He purgeth it, that it may bring forth

MORE FRUIT

"In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the

sea.
With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me ;
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men

free,

While God is marching on."

See also Math. 7:30; John 15:5-8, 14, 15.

BUILDING THE TEMPLE 237

Repeat in unison the call of Jesus for the children:
"Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not
for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

OPPORTUNITY FOR DECISION
Daniel in his youth, purposed in his heart, not to defile
himself by eating the king's meat or the wine which he
drank. Joshua expressed his decision to all Israel, saying,
"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Choose ye this day whom ye will serve? While the
congregation is standing and singing an appropriate, fa-
miliar hymn, encourage every undecided person present, to
accept Jesus as their savior; and to indicate with the up-
lifted hand, their decision to live a Christian life.

Provide testaments or bibles for those needing them.

BUILDING DAY BY DAY

"We are building in sorrow and building in joy

A temple the world cannot see.
But we know it will stand, if we found it on a rock,

Through the ages of eternity.
Cho. We are building day by day

As the moments glide away,
Our temple which the world may not see.

Every victory won by grace
Will be sure to find a place

In our building for eternity.

Every deed forms a part in this building of ours,

That is done in the name of the Lord ;
For the love that we show

And the kindness we bestow
He has promised us a bright reward.
Then be watchful and wise

Let the temple we rear
Be one that no tempest can shock ;

For the Master has said
And He taught us in His word

We must build upon the solid rock."

-H. E. Blair

238 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

GROWING UP FOR JESUS

"Growing up for Jesus, we are truly blest,

In His smile is welcome, in His arms our rest,
In His truth our treasure, in His word our rule,

Growing up for Jesus, in our Sunday School.
Growing up for Jesus, till in Him complete,

Growing up for Jesus, oh ! His work is sweet ;
In His truth our treasure, in His word our rule,

Growing up for Jesus, in our Sunday School.

Not too young to love Him, little hearts beat true,

Not too young to serve Him, as the dew drops do.
Not too young to praise Him, singing as we come,

Not too young to answer, when He calls us home.
Growing up for Jesus, learning day by day,

How to follow onward in the narrow way;
Seeking holy treasure, finding precious truth,

Growing up for Jesus in our happy youth."

— Pres. Board Publication.

OUR HAPPY LAND

A Favorite Children's Chorus.
Land of children, birds and flowers,

What a happy land is ours!
Here the gladdest bells are rung,

Here the sweetest songs are sung.
With Thy banner o'er us,

Join we all in chorus,
Land of children, birds and flowers

What a happy land is ours.

Let us keep it so we pray,

Drive the clouds of sin away;
Father by Thy love divine

Make us, keep us ever Thine.
With Thy banner o'er us, etc.
Keep us Lord from day to day

In the straight and narrow way.
May it be our chief delight,

To walk upright in Thy sight ;
With Thy banner o'er us, etc.

What a happy land

What a happy land is ours,
Here the gladdest bells are rung,

BUILDING THE TEMPLE 239

Here the sweetest songs are sung;
Freedom's banner o'er us,

Join we all in chorus,
Land of children, birds and flowers,
What a happy land is ours.

THE ARCH

The arch, which appears on another page, illustrates
in a very striking manner the mutual dependence of all the
stones, representing the divinely appointed elements of
character, on their crown, the keystone, which represents
the Sabbath or fourth commandment, the connecting link
between the first and second tables of the law and the vis-
ible bond of every man and nation to his Creator.

When the keystone has been placed in position the
arch will sustain considerable weight, but if it be removed
nearly all of the other stones tumble to the floor in a confused
heap. Those who do not remember the Sabbath to keep it
holy unto the Lord, may manifest some of these divinely
appointed elements of character, but every one who con-
scientiously observes the Sabbath as a day for public wor-
ship, reading and teaching the Word of God, endeavors to
develop all of them. The indwelling spirit is dependent on
an intelligent knowledge of the Word, and the strengthen-
ing influence of the Sabbath is usually according to the good
use that is made of it.

EXPLANATORY

A couple of cracker boxes inverted serve for the two foundation
stones The parts of the temple consist of frames made of thin
strips, about five inches wide. Each stone is about three inches short-
er and one and one-half inches narrower than the one below it, and
it rests on supporting strips inserted in the top of the lower one.
All can be set aside in the lower one when they are inverted. All are
covered with white printing paper and the letters are fastened with

little tacks

The large letters are 2%xl% and the small ones 1^x7-8 inches.

A bright red color is essential in order to produce the nicest effect.

240 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

They can be cut very speedily and uniformly if the cardboard is first
ruled with a pen, into squares the size of the letters, and then ruled
with a pencil one-fourth of an inch distant from the ink rulings.

The arch is four feet wide at the base. The inner circle is de-
scribed with a radius of two and the outer one of three feet. The
curved edges of each are cut with a scroll saw. Strips of orange
boxes or sheets of card board, one foot long, are used to nail on their
straight edges. All ace covered with cheese cloth or muslin and
the letters are placed on a curved line. The arch and temple can both
be built on a smaller scale with box board. The lifting of the key-
stone of the arch, when first inserted is a very interesting performance.

REFERENCES

TEMPLE: 1 Cor. 3:16-17;Math. 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49; 1 Cor.
3:12-15; James l:22-24;Rev. 2:17; Ps. 18:2; 31:2-3; 71:35; 40:2; 61:2
62:2.

JESUS. Isa. 28:16; 1 Peter 2:6; Math. 16:15-18; John 1:1-2-14
Dan. 2:34-35; 1 Cor. 3:11; Math 21:42-44; Acts 4:10-12; 1 Peter 2:4-6

WORD. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:20-21; Ps. 19:7.10; Heb. 4:12
Ps. 119:105,130; Isa. 40:8; Math. 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 9:26
Eph. 2:19-22.

FAITH. John 3:16, 36; Heb. 11:1-3; Eph. 2:4-8; Acts 16:31
Heb. 11:23-26; Mark 11:22-23; Gal. 3:6-9; Luke 16:10.

VIRTUE. Phil. 4:8; Josh. 1:6-9; 2 Tim 2:1-3; 1 John 2:13-14.

KNOWLEDGE. John 17:3; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; Prov. 1:7; Isa. 11:1-2,
33, 6; Prov. 4:7-8; 3:16-17.

TEMPERANCE. Gal. 5:22-24; 1 Cor. 8:13; 2 Peter 1:5-6; Gen.
2:16-17; Dan. 1:8; - Thess. 5:22.

PATIENCE. Luke 21:19; James 5:11; Heb. 10:35-36; 12:1-2.

GODLINESS. 1 Tim. 4:8; 6:6-7; 3:16; Ec. 12:13-14.

KINDNESS. Eph. 4:32; Luke 6:35; Ps. 103:2-4.

CHARITY. 1 Cor. 13:4-8; 13:1-3; 2 Peter 1:5-8.

SABBATH. Ex. 20:8-11; Mark 2:27-28; Ex. 31:13- 17; Isa. 58:
13-14; Ezek. 20:13, 16, 20, 24; Luke 4:16:18; Rev. 1:10.

XXX

MAXIMS AND SUGGESTIONS

RELATING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OP A GOOD CHARACTER
AND THE ACHIEVEMENT OF GOOD SUCCESS.— NUGGETS
FROM SHORT TALKS TO THE STUDENTS ON FRIDAY
EVENINGS.

"Precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little and
there a little." Proverbs.

INSTABLE as water thou shalt not excel.

Jacob.

Be gentle in manner, firm in principle,

always conciliatory.

Go forward; and if difficulties increase,

go forward more earnestly.

In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all
things, charity. Augustine.

Find a way or make one, is excellent ; but sometimes it
needs to read, Find employment or make it.

Whatever cannot be avoided must be endured. En-
dure hard things bravely.

Patience and Perseverance will perform great wonders.

Early to bed and early to rise will make a man healthy,
wealthy and wise. Ben Franklin.

Whoever wins man's highest stature here below must
grow, and never cease to grow — for when growth ceases,
death begins. Alice Carey.

"There is so much bad in the best of us,

And so much good in the worst of us ;
It is hardly fair for any of us,
To speak ill of the rest of us."
If thou wouldst know the secret of a happy life, rise in
the morn, with armor clasped about thee, for the day's long
strife. "Thy duty do."

(241)

242 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

The very angels then will stoop, when the night brings
rest, to cradle thee in heavenly arms because thou didst
thy best. Jennings.

Bear and forbear are two good bears to have in every
home ,in order to keep peace in the family. Grin and bear it,
is another good one. Impatience, scolding and fault-finding
are three black bears, that make every one feel badly and
look ugly. Don't harbor them.

BIBLE PRECEPTS. Faithful is the Bible word for
success.

He that is faithful, is faithful in that which is least.

Owe no man anything. Render to all their dues.

Be not wise in your own conceits. A wise son maketh
a glad father; but a foolish son is the heaviness of his
mother.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things
shall be added unto you.

Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are
peace.

Honor the Lord with thy substance and with the first-
fruits of all thine increase ; so shall thy barns be filled with
plenty.

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply
our hearts unto wisdom. Let the beauty of the Lord our
God be upon us, and establish thou the work of our hands.
Moses.

The hand of the diligent maketh rich. The hand of
the diligent shall bear rule.

Be not slothful in business. A man diligent in his
business shall stand before kings ; he shall not stand before
mean men.

Anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Make no friend-
ship with an angry man, lest thou learn his ways : Let not
the sun go down upon thy wrath. Be patient; and not a
brawler or striker.

SPIRITUAL POWER. Bring ye all the tithes into the
storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove
me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open

MAXIMS AND SUGGESTIONS 243

the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that
there shall not be room enough to receive it.

HOW SOME MEN ACHIEVED GREATNESS

Abraham believed God and was promptly obedient to
His divine call. "The Lord made Abraham rich" and the
"Father of the Faithful."

"The Lord was with Joseph," the innocent slave in pris-
on. He led him from the prison to a throne and made him
a successful ruler in Egypt.

Daniel the youthful, God-fearing captive at Babylon,
"sought the Lord by prayer, supplication and fasting."
"The Lord prospered him." gave him favor with princes
and made him the greatest statesman of his age.

Job was a "perfect and upright man, one that feared
God." Satan said of him, "Doth Job fear God for nought ?"
Satan then deprived him of his family, property and health.
Job still maintained his integrity, saying, "The Lord gave
and the Lord hath taken away." The Lord then gave Job
twice as much as he had before ; so that the latter end of
Job was more blessed than his beginning.

When the Lord said to Moses, "Come now, I will send
thee unto Pharoah, that thou mayest bring forth my people
out of Egypt;" he hesitated, saying, "Who am I?" "They
will not believe me;" and "I am not eloquent." But when
he obeyed the call and went, the Lord went with him, the
people believed, the army of Pharoah was overthrown; and
Moses became the first emancipator, a great leader of men
and the greatest law-giver in the history of the world.

OAK HILL BE'S

Be Honorable. Never do that which will cause you af-
terwards to feel ashamed.

Be Honest. Never deceive or take that which belongs
to another.

Be True. Stand firmly for the truth and be faithful,
though you stand or work alone.

Be Pure. Shun the impure and abhor whatever will
corrupt good morals.

Be Polite. Help the weak and never by word or act
offend another.

244 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Be Prompt. If you have done badly, hasten with your
apology before you are called to account.

Be Thoughtful. Learn how to exercise that forethought
that anticipates every future need at the beginning of an
undertaking.

Self Control. Self control means self discipline. Self
discipline means that I must be willing to:

Be, what I know I ought to be ;

Say, what I know I ought to say ;

Do, what I know I ought to do ;

Go, where I know I ought to go;

Do, with my might what my hands find to do; and be
firmly decided, not to do anything I know I ought not to do.
It is the ability to control one's thoughts and energies by
rule, so as to act prudently, and never impulsively or im-
patiently.

All make mistakes, some more than others. "To err
is human." He succeeds best who makes the fewest mistakes ;
and most quickly corrects them, when discovered.

"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true.
I am not bound to suceed, but I am bound to live up to
what light I have.

I must stand with anybody who stands right; stand
with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes
wrong." Lincoln.

Freedom. True freedom is the freedom to do right,
and for it good men contend. The liberty to do what one
may wish to do, is not freedom, for that may be wrong.

Tact. Tact is the ability to please rather than offend,
by saying or doing the right thing in a pleasant way at the
right time, ignoring petty slights and insults and leading dis-
agreeable people to become your friends.

Blessed is the teacher who expects much from his pu-
pils, he is thereby likely to receive it ; that has common sense
in framing regulations, and backbone to enforce them ; whose
vocabulary contains more "do's" than "don'ts." Lucy A.
Baker.

The little birds, like the busy bees, are cheery and valu-
able helpers. Encourage their presence and aid, by plant-

MAXIMS AND SUGGESTIONS 245

ing trees for their songs and building little houses for their
young.

The domestic animals are our servants and profit-mak-
ers, or mortgage lifters. Always treat them kindly. Never
permit anyone to strike, or stone them. Even the pig of your
neighbor, when he becomes a mischievous intruder in your
field, if you give him a friendly chase, will conduct you to
a hole in the fence that ought to be closed.

''Kind words can never die,

Cherished and blest ;
God knows how deep they lie,

Stored in each breast."

Character. Character is a word derived from another
one that means to impress or engrave. It marks our individ-
uality. It is the result of the principles and habits, that have
impressed themselves on our nature and the abilities that
have been developed. Solomon calls it a good name, which
suggests reputation. It is tested and strengthened by over-
coming difficulties. A good character is within the reach of
all while greatness is possible only to a few.

"When wealth is lost, nothing is lost ;
When health is lost, something is lost ;
When character is lost, all is lost."

Character. "Character is not what we think, feel or
know; but what we are. Character is being; and it is in-
finitely nobler to be than to have, or know, or do. The rank,
value and dignity of character cannot be overestimated.
The confidence of the whole world on which trade, empires,
homes and real happiness are built is confidence in charac-
ter. Character is the great end ; moral and spiritual educa-
tion is the greatest means to attain that end." — Martin.

Character is personal power, the poor boy's best capi-
tal and the success, that makes him greater than his occupa-
tion. The weak wait for opportunities, but the strong sieze
them and make even common occasions great.

The world honors success. God honors faithfulness.
The world commends worldly achievements, but God re-
wards character.

Every student should endeavor to build up the commun-
ity in which he lives commercially, socially and religiously.

246 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Beware of strangers that come to you full of smooth
talk and clad in fine clothing. The tree, book, land and other
agents sometimes prove helpful. But you will be happier
and more prosperous, if you will send for a catalog and get
just what you need, and at cost. You will thereby avoid the
expensiveness and uncertainty of doing business through a
nicely dressed, but irresponsible stranger.

The upright exert a blessed influence long after their
departure from the earth. They are remembered in the
home, the social circle and the church.

"That man exists, but never lives,
Who much receives but nothing gives;
But he who marks his busy way,
By generous acts from day to day,
Treads the same path his Savior trod,
The path to glory and to God."

Education. Everything from a pin to an engine has
its cost and someone must pay the price.

In education the material is human and the product
is a new and living worker for the world's work. The ma-
terial and moral progress of the world has been principally
due to the work of educated men and women.

Education has its cost, but the profit of a good christian
education is vastly greater than its cost. It pays to educate
young people who are christians, that they may become
leaders in thought and action.

"A good education enables one to manifest goodness
and not badness. Drawing out all the good qualities of head
and heart, it magnifies them and suppresses the bad ones.
If this seems hard, it should be remembered that all things
of value are obtained only by effort."

"For every evil under the sun
There's a remedy, or there's none,
If there is one, try and find it;
If there is none, never mind it."

"A clear and legible handwriting is one of the best
means of giving a stranger an impression of force of char-
acter, self-control and capacity for skilled work. It wins
favor by making the reading of it easy and a source of
pleasure. It is one of the crowning attainments of a well
cultured life." — Spencer.

MAXIMS AND SUGGESTIONS 247

"Success follows those who see and know how to take
advantage of their opportunity."

The Lord loves to use "the weak things" and "things
that are despised." He loves to put the treasure of His
grace into the feeble, that the world may be compelled to
ask, "whence hath this man power?" Rev. J. H. Jowett.

Self education is accomplished by reading good books,
with the aid of a dictionary. Get a Bible dictionary for the
Bible, and a Webster or Academic dictionary for other books.

Do all things by rule. A good rule tells the right way
to do things. If you do not know the rule ask for it. Never
violate a known rule. It never pays to do so ; the confidence
of someone is sure to be forfeited.

Keep Busy. Keep busy and you will keep happy. Read
good books when you cannot work. If you call on a friend
and he is busy, do not become an idler or make him one.
Either help him or read his best books.

Idleness. Idleness is a sin against God. "Six days
shalt thou labor and do all thy work." "In the sweat of
thy face shalt thou eat bread." If any man will not work,
neither let him eat." It is also a sin against our nature;
causing a slow movement, which is a serious disappoint-
ment; tardiness, which is like a dead fly in precious oint-
ment; and, that loathsome disease, laziness. Like drunk-
enness it is an inexcusable shame, that dooms one to poverty
and clothes him with rags. Shun idleness as you do the
sting of a hornet, or the bite of a rattler.

"We are not here to play, to dream, to drift,

We have our work to do, and loads to lift.

Shun not the struggle ; face it. 'Tis God's gift."

"They are slaves who fear to speak,

For the fallen and the weak.

They are slaves who will not choose

Hatred, scoffing and abuse,

Rather than in silence shrink

From the truth they needs must think;

They are slaves, who dare not be

In the right with two or three." Lowell.

Do your best. Put your best efforts in your work, no
matter how simple or difficult the task.

248 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

"I am passing through this world but once. I will
therefore do my best every day, and do all the good to all
the people I can."

"I do the very best I know how — the very best I can;
and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings
me out all right, what is said against me won't amount to
anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swear-
ing I was right would make no difference." Abraham
Lincoln.

Efficiency. Efficiency is the ability to perform work
in the shortest and quickest way, by omitting every use-
less movement.

Faith. Faith rests on facts and realities. It is the
basis of home and business. "It swings the rainbow across
the dark clouds, makes heroes in life's battles, extracts the
poison from Satan's arrows and links us to God and the
good in heaven."

Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that
faith let us to the end dare to do our duty, as we understand
it. With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firm-
ness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us
strive on to finish, the work we are in. Abraham Lin-
coln at Gettysburg.

Gladness. Gladness is sown for the upright. The joy
of the Lord is your strength. Manifest your joy and glad-
ness by wearing the smile of contentment and love. It in-
cludes a sparkle in the eye, a little ripple on the cheek and
the kind word that "never dies."

"Smile and the world smiles with you,
Laugh and the world will roar,
Growl and the world will leave you,
And never come back any more.
All of us could not be handsome,
Nor all of us wear good clothes,
But a smile is not expensive.
And covers a world of woes."

Energy. Energy is power in action. Stagnant water
lacks power, but water in action produces steam, the power
that moves the world's machinery and traffic. Knowledge
in action means power on the farm, in the home and in the
church.

MAXIMS AND SUGGESTIONS 249

"God bless the man who sows the wheat,
Produces milk and fruit and meat;
His purse be heavy, his heart be light,
His corn and cattle all go right,
God bless the seed his hand lets fall,
The farmer produces the food for all."

Knowledge. Knowledge is power, when it is wisely as-
sorted, assimilated and immediately employed; as is the
water of a river, when it is used to produce electric power.
The knowledge that leads to sovereign power, includes self-
knowledge, self- respect and self- control. The man who
does well whatsoever he undertakes, cannot be kept down,
except by his own indiscretions.

A good character is essential to the soul winner. It
is a false notion that one must meet the world on its own lev-
el — drink to win a drinker, smoke to win a smoker, and play
the world's games in order to win it to Christ. Richard
Hobbs.

Thrift. Thrift consists in increasing the value of our
possessions every year, by making good investments of our
time and money, and by earning more than is spent for liv-
ing expenses. "A penny saved is two pence earned."

Our Father in heaven sends no man into this world
without a work, and a capacity to perform that work.

"Live for those that love you,
For those you know are true;
For the cause that- lacks assistance,
For the wrong that needs resistance ;
For the future in the distance;
And the good that you can do."

"A fool with a gun or an axe can destroy in five minu-
tes, what it took nature years to perfect and perpetuate."

A little house well filled,

A little field well tilled,

A good wife well willed, are great riches.

Leaders. Be a leader. A leader does his thinking be-
fore hand and endeavors to provide for every need. He must
be well informed and know how to arouse interest and stimu-
late activity. He must discover and adopt only the best
methods. The rewards of leadership are a continually in-

250 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

creasing power to lead others and the ability to conduct
your own life most usefully and happily.

"A good farmer's tools are under shelter;
But Pete Tumbledown's lie helter-skelter;
And when he wants his tools again
He finds them rusty from the rain."

"Divide and conquer," was Joshua's rule of strategy in
the conquest of Canaan. "Separate for the march, unite
for the attack," was a maxim of Napoleon. Both are good
rules for the people in all our churches, in their constant
conflict with vice and iniquity.

The noblest man does not always uphold his rights,
but waives them for his own good and the good of others.
A keen sense of honor, that condemns dishonorable conduct,
is one of the finest results of a good education. Education
is expected to do for the mind, what sculpture does to a
block of marble.

"A merry farmer's girl am I,

My songs are gay and blithe;

For in my humble country home

I lead a free, glad life.

Through fertile fields and gardens mine,

I love at will to roam,

And as I wander, gayly sing,

This is my own, free home,

My own free home."

Genius. There is no genius like a love for hard work.
Hard work develops strength, increases usefulness, and tends
to length of days. Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy
work. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread. Labor
conquers all things.

"He lives the best who never does complain,
Whether the passing days be filled with sun or rain.
Who patiently toils on though feet be sore,
Whose home stands by the road with open door ;
Who smiles though down he sits to feast or crust,
His faith in man sincere, in God his trust."

A. F. Caldwell.

Seek employment by the month or year, rather than
by the day ; and render unswerving loyalty to those of your

MAXIMS AND SUGGESTIONS 251

own home, school and church ; and those who favor you with
employment.

A man's work is the expression of his worth. It should
make a man of him, and give him great pleasure and delight.
When a man knows his work and does it with the enthusi-
asm of Nehemiah, it gives him joy and enables him to exert
a good influence. "That man is blest who does his best and
leaves the rest."

The world owes no man a living, but every man owes
the world an honest effort to make at least his own living.

SAVE THE BOY ; SAVE THE GIRL !

Save them from bad habits and evil associations. Save
them for useful careers, happy homes and a glorious inher-
itance.

"If a blessing you have known,
Twas not given for you alone,

Pass it on.
Let it travel down the years,
Let it dry another's tears,
Till in heaven the deed appears,
Pass it on.

Greatness: Goodness is the basis of that service that
leads to greatness. The keynote of that service is found
in the words : "The Son of man came not to be ministered un-
to, but to minister, and to give his life for many." The cross
is the symbol of a service that is faithful, even unto death.

"So live that every thought and deed may hold within
itself the seed of future .good and future need."

Undertake great things for God and His glory and ex-
pect great things from Him.

"Never trouble trouble
Until trouble troubles you."

Prudent, hopeful and enthusiastic are those who make
the "desert to rejoice and blossom as the rose."

Habits: A habit is a cable; we spin a thread of it
every day, and at last we cannot break it.

Thoughts leave an ineffaceable trace on the brain or
memory.

252 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

"Sow a thought and you reap an act,
Sow an act and you reap a habit,
Sow a habit and you reap a character,
Sow a character and you reap a destiny."

A pretty oak tree is a beautiful emblem of the strength,
beauty and eminent usefulness of an intelligent and noble
man. Train the head, the heart and hand, and thus develop
that strength and beauty of character, that fits one for the
most eminent usefulness.

A single aim means undivided attention and interest.
Concentrate your faculties on the particular work of each
day, that later you may be able to give your undivided at-
tention to your chosen employment. All great achievements
have been won by those who have had a single aim. "Con-
sider the postage stamp, my son; its usefulness consists in
sticking to one thing, until it gets there."— Josh Billings.

Concentrate your energies and be master of your work,
The world crowns him who knows one thing and does it bet-
ter than others.

I will. Always say, "I will" or 'Til try," when work or
a duty is proposed, that can and ought to be done. Never
say, "I can't" or "I won't", except to resist a temptation to do
wrong. While the "I can'ts" fail in everything, and the "I
won'ts" oppose everything, the "I will's" do the world's
work.

God has a plan for every life. He made you for use
and for His own use. He gives power to those whom He
uses. Let Him use you. Your happiness depends on the
consciousness you are fulfilling your divinely appointed
mission; and your success, on your will being in harmony
with your work.

Only the tuned violin can make music; and only the
life in harmony with God can "please him" or "win souls"
to Him. Spiritual power is necessary for spiritual work.

Investments. Invest only where your investment will be
under your own personal supervision, or that of a known and
trusted friend. Invest only in those kinds of properties,
the successful and profitable management of which, you
best understand.

Investments in young stock and good real estate in-

MAXIMS AND SUGGESTIONS 253

crease in value ; but investments in rolling stock always de-
crease in value. Buy low from those who have to sell, and
sell to those who want to buy.

Seek counsel only of those who are achieving success,
and never trust a stranger.

Home. A home is one of the best investments for every
one of moderate means. It provides a shelter for the in-
dividual and for the family, no matter what may happen. A
regular income must be assured in order to retain a place to
sleep in a rented house. The early desire to own a home
makes steady employment a source of pleasure.

It is not what we eat, but what v/e digest, that makes us
strong.

It is not what we read, but what we remember, that
makes us learned.

It is not what we earn, but what we save, that makes
us rich.

Home. A christian home is a precious heritage. It
is the divinely appointed educator of mankind. Its seclu-
sion, shelter and culture are invaluable. There the mother
whose hand rocks the cradle, moves the world, teaching
the lessons of obedience, self-control, faith and trust. Use
only a mellow and sweet tone of voice in the home. A kind
and gentle voice is a pearl of great price that, like the cheery
song of the lark, increases the joy and happiness of the
home with passing years.

"The farmer's trade is one of worth, •
He is partner with the earth and sky;
He is partner with the sun and rain,
And no man loses by his gain.
And men may rise and men may fall;
The farmer, he must feed them all."

"Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him for-
ever."

Knowledge. "Other things may be seized by might or
purchased with money; but knowledge is to be gained only
by study." — Johnson.

"He that studies only men, will get the body of know-
ledge, without the soul ; and he that studies only books, the
soin without the body. He that to what he sees adds ob-

254 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

servation, and to what he reads, reflection, is in the right
road to knowledge, provided that in scrutinizing the hearts
of others he neglects not his own." — Cotton.

Co-operation. "All real progress of the individual, or
of society, comes through the joining of hands and working
together in a spirit of helpfulness for the common good."

A brother in need is a brother indeed.

"Whoso hath this world's goods and seeth his brother
in need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him,
how dwelleth the love of God in him?"

Never go security for any one who cannot give you a
mortgage or whose word is not as good as his bond. "He
that is surety for a stranger, shall smart for it ; and he that
hateth suretyship is sure."

Eloquence. Eloquence is the expression of a moral
conviction. It is overpowering when the moral conviction
is tremenduously felt. This was the secret of the eloquence
of Lincoln, Beecher and Garrison, when they spoke of the
wrong of slavery ; and of John B. Gough, Neal Dow and
Frances Willard, when they plead for an uprising against
the curse of stronk drink.

Marriage. Marriage is a divine ordinance, instituted
by our Heavenly Father in the time of man's innocency. It
is not a sacrament, but a social institution, intended to pro-
mote the comfort and happiness of mankind, through the
establishmentofthe family relationship, and a responsible
home, where the children may be trained for the service of
God and the work of their generation. The gospel hallows
all the relations of life and sanctions the innocent enjoyment
of all the good gifts of God. It purifies the hearts of those
who walk in the way of obedience and induces the peace that
passeth understanding.

"Life is real, life is earnest
And the grave is not its goal,
Dust thou art to dust returnest,

Was not written of the soul.

Let us then be up and doing,

With a heart for any fate ;
Still achieving still pursuing,

Learn to labor and to wait." — Longfellow. *

MAXIMS AND SUGGESTIONS 255

Robbers. Idleness, tardiness and "late nights," are
three bold bad robbers, that must be strenuously resisted and
overcome. Be watchful or they may rob you of the best
that is in you.

Spare Moments. It is better to be a busy silent reader
in the home or school and learn something useful, than to
be an idle, noisy talker, disturbing others and causing the
loss or forfeiture of valuable privileges.

Have a book for spare moments in the home. Read only
good books, the Bible and catechism first ; then those on his-
tory, biography, travel, and progress in the arts and sciences,
including one on your own occupation. Do not read worth-
less story books. They will rob you of your time, and the
taste for the Bible and other good books. Time wasted in
idleness or reading worthless books means bad companions,
bad habits, and the loss of opportunity, energy and vitality.
Learn to abhor idleness as nature does a vacuum.

Say No. Have the courage to say "no" to every solicita-
tion to violate rule or known duty. "The companion of fools
shall be destroyed." "Though hand join in hand the guilty
shall not go unpunished." "This is Fabricius, the man
whom it is more difficult to turn from his integrity, than the
sun from his course." — Pyrrhus.

Writing. Train the hand and inform the mind so you
can write the English language,

"Plain to the eye and gracefully combined."

"The pen engraves for every art and indites for every
press. It is the preservative of language, the business man's
security, the poor boy's patron and the ready servant of
mind." — Spencer.

Train : The hand to be graceful, steady, strong ;
The Eye to be alert and observing ;
The Memory to be accurate and retentive;

The Heart to be tender, true and sympathetic.

Promptness. Promptness takes the drudgery out of
an occupation. The decision of a moment often determines
the destiny of years. Every moment lost affords an op-
portunity for misfortune. Punctuality is the soul of busi-
ness, the mother of confidence and credit. Only those, who
keep their time, can be trusted to keep their word. Tardiness

256 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

is a disappointment and an interruption ; a kind of falsehood
and theft of time.

Vices. The four great vices of this age are Sabbath-
breaking, gambling, intemperance and licentiousness. These
must be fought all the time, like the great plagues that at-
tack the body, tuberculosis, leprosy and small pox. The
gospel will save any one from all of them ; and some day it
will sweep them from the earth, as they are now kept from
heaven.

"A Sabbath well spent

Brings a week of content,
And strength for the toils of the morrow ;

But a Sabbath profaned,

Whatso'er may be gained,
Is a certain forerunner of sorrow."

To be a leader is a praiseworthy ambition. A leader is
one who wins the confidence of the people so that they are
willing to follow. Our Lord Jesus gave the secret of leader-
ship, when he said : "Whosoever would be first among you,
shall be servant of all ;" and again, "The Son of Man came
not be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life
a ransom for many."

America. America is a land of opportunity, where the
poor boy secures a home and later may participate in the
government. Most of those, who are managing the world's
work to day, were poor boys yesterday. If you are in the
school of adversity today, do not be discouraged, "thank God
and take courage;" for you are merely on the same level
with those, who by their energy and thrift, are making
sure of success tomorrow. When Lord Beaconsfield became
a member of Parliament, and the other members did not
care to listen to his youthful speeches, he said to himself,
"I am not a slave nor a captive ; and by energy I can over-
come great obstacles. The time will come when you will
hear me."

Books. "The first time I read an excellent book," said
Goldsmith, "it is to me as if I had gained a new friend."
"Books are the pillars of progress, the inspiration of man-
kind. They exert a wonderful influence and a mighty power,
though silent," says John Knox in Ready Money,"in liftingup
humanity and making progress possible." They enable the
reader to converse and associate with the noblest and best

Fruits Approved at Oak Hill in 1912, for the
Home Orchard in Southern Oklahoma.

Peaches: 1, Mamie Ross; 2, Waddell; 3, Alton: 4, Capt. Ede; 5, Carman;
6, Early Elberta; 7, Illinois; 8, Elberta (Queen); 9, Belle of Georgia;
10, Champion; 11, Late Crawford; 12, Late Elberta.

Apples: 13, Duchess; 14, Maiden Blush; 15, Wilson Red June; 16, Deli-
cious; 17, Jonathan; 18, Wolf River; 19, King David; 20, Stayman
Wine Sap; 21, Ben Davis; 22, Mammoth Grimes Golden; 23, Black
Ben; 24, Champion; and, Missouri Pippin.

256

i**S

The Flames Consuming the Old Farm House,
Looking Northeast.

The Bridge of Life.

The Bible elements of a good character; their two-fold foundation, and bond —

the Sabbath.

MAXIMS AND SUGGESTIONS 257

minds. In them we have the thoughts and deeds, the ex-
perience and inspiration of all the great ones of earth.

Good books, that breathe the best thoughts and exper-
iences of others, are trusted friends, that bring instruction,
entertainment and contentment to the home. As compan-
ions and counselors they supply a real want, that makes the
home more than merely a place for food and raiment.
"Writing makes an exact man, talking makes a ready man,
but reading makes him a full man," — that is a man of in-
telligence. A man is known by the books he reads and the
company he keeps. Let some of the world's best books
find an inviting and permanent place in your home.

Books and voices make a glorious combination. No one
can tell what good books and good voices may not do. The
Word of God and the gospel of our Lord Jesus, have come to
us in the form of a book, and we call it by way of pre-emin-
ence, "The Bible," or Scriptures of the Old and New Testa-
ments. Our attention has been directed to them by the liv-
ing voice. Let your tongues proclaim the glad message of
divine truth and redeeming love. The Holy Spirit will re-
cord the results in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Read and preserve the books.

WIT AND HUMOR

"Laugh, and grow fat."

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine."

Aunt Dinah: "How long hab you dis set of dishes?"

Mother Hubbard : "Let me see ; I've had 'em — four girls
and a half."

Mike: "Do ye believe in the recall of judges, Pat?"

Pat : "That I do not. The last time I was up before his
honor he sez: 'I recall that face. — Sixty days.' I'm agin the
recall of judges. "Life.

Bishop : "Well, Mr. Jones, how do you like your preach-
er?"

Deacon Jones: "He's de best I eber seed, to take de
Bible apart ; but he dun' no how to put it to gedder agen."

258 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

A Swede, that had not yet had time to learn our lan-
guage was accused of throwing a stone through a plate glass
window. When the lawyers failed to enable him to des-
cribe it's size the judge asked:

"Was it as big as my fist?"

"It ben bigger," the Swede replied.

"Was it as big as my two fists,"

"It ben bigger."

"Was it as big as my head?"

"It ben about as long, but not so thick," the Swede re-
plied, amid the laughter of the court.

The German's trouble with the English language.

Visitor: "Those are two fine dogs you have."
Cobbler: "Yes und de funny part of it iss, dat de
biggest dog is de leettlest one."

Cobbler's Wife: "You must mine husband egscuse;
he shpeaks not very good English. He means de oldest dog
is de youngest one." :~

XXXI

RULES, MOTTOES AND COURSE OF

STUDY

'WALL MOTTOES

I. OAK HILL MOTTO

Time is precious

Time is money —
Do not stand idle, waiting,
Do not keep others waiting,

Do something useful.
Be a busy, silent worker,
Shun the idle, noisy shirker.

II. RULE OF ORDER

Order is the first law of Heaven, and it is the first rule
in every well regulated home, school and church.

IT REQUIRES THAT EVERYONE:

BE in the right place at the right time,
DO the right thing in the right way,
DO the same things the same way,
KEEP everything in the right place ; and
COMPLETE whatever has been undertaken.

ENDEAVOR BENEDICTION

"The Lord bless thee and keep thee :

The Lord make his face shine upon thee and be grac-
ious unto thee :

The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give
thee peace.

And unto him that loved us, and washed us from our
sins in his own blood and hath made us kings and priests
unto God and his Father ; to him be glory and dominion for-
ever and ever. Amen."

(259)

260 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

III. ESSENTIALS TO SUCCESS

An unwavering aim,

Unswerving integrity,
Intelligent industry,
Neverfailing promptness,

Indomitable perseverance,

Unbounded enthusiasm,
Willing and strict economy,

In the employment of time,

Talents, money and expenses.

IV. BUSY DAY

THIS is our BUSY DAY.

Do not intrude here to day.

Come some other day.

LOAFERS

Are worse than useless. Their presence here is

STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.

KEY WORDS : The Key words that open or close doors
of opportunity, and contrast the characteristics of the good
and bad student, are as follows:

GOOD STUDENT

POET: Politeness, Obedience, Economy and Earn-
estness, Thoughtfulness.

BAD PUPIL

DIED: Disorderly conduct, Idleness, Extravagance,
Deceit.

GOOD WORKMAN

STEAM: Steam is a good key word, to enable one to
remember how the good workman works efficiently and
profitably. He works :
Steadily,

Thoughtfully,

Enthusiastically,
Alone,

Methodically.

RULES, MOTTOES AND COURSE OF STUDY 261

RULES AND REGULATIONS

I. STUDENTS

The Superintendent and Teachers wish all the students
to be gladdened and strengthened by the joy of successful
achievement. To effect this each student must learn to do
promptly and thoroughly everything he knows he ought to
do, and refrain absolutely from doing anything he knows
he ought not to do. "The joy of the Lord is your strength."

Order. Good order must be maintained in all the build-
ings and premises. It requires that there be a place for
everything and everything be kept in its place; that each
student know 1 his place and be in it at the right nick of time.

Silence. All are expected to be silent, thoughtful, earn-
est workers so as to make perfect recitations. The discipline
of absolute silence is necessary to the attainment of com-
plete self control, and the achievement of the best results,
both as a student and workman. Silence must be observed
in the Academy at all times, and only a low tone of voice
is appropriate in the other buildings at any time.

Obedience. All are expected to yield a prompt and
cheerful obedience to all the Rules and Regulations, and
never indulge in any disputes with your teachers.

Students render themselves liable to suspension or ex-
pulsion by persistent disobedience, quarreling, disorderly
conduct, profane or unchaste language, truancy, or general
disregard for the rules of the school.

No student known to be affected with a contagious dis-
ease, or coming from a family where such diseases exist,
shall be received or continued in the school.

Pupils must procure drinks and make all other necessary
preparation for school at playtime, and keep their places
after the bell rings.

Pupils shall not ask questions, walk across or leave the
room while classes are reciting, nor at any other time with-
out permission.

Pupils must observe the common forms of politeness
and at all times treat their teachers and one another with
courtesy and respect.

No pupil shall be permitted to leave or be absent from

262 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

the school during school hours, except in case of illness
without an excuse from the superintendent or parent.

Rooms. The rooms occupied by the students are merely
sleeping apartments ; and for this purpose the pure cold air
in them is conducive to the enjoyment of the most rugged
health. They must not be used for study or amusement,
especially at night ; and drafts of air from the windows must
be avoided.

Each student on rising, when no other provision is made
is expected to air the bed and room, to empty the slop pail
and put it on its shelf in the sun, to make the bed and sweep
the room ; and after breakfast to report for duty, the boys
at the office, and the girls to the matron. They will report
in the same way at 2:30 p. m., and the children at 4:00 p. m.

All are expected to refrain from returning to the sleep-
ing rooms during the day, from entering the rooms of others
in the evening and from receiving visitors without permis-
sion. The doors must be kept closed.

Illness. The first duty of everyone who becomes ill is
to report that fact to the superintendent, or matron. He ex-
pects everyone to perform every duty assigned in a faith-
ful and responsible manner, until notice of illness has been
received.

All are required, even when feeling indisposed and lack-
ing an appetite, to come to the table for warm drinks at the
regular meal time.

All requests for meals to be brought to the rooms, shall
be sent to the matron or superintendent at or before meal
time.

Sitting Rooms. The small boys, when needing the com-
fort of a warm room, must occupy their own sitting room,
and the larger boys and girls the rooms provided for them,
respectively; each endeavoring to make a good use of their
spare moments, while occupying these places, and observe
the rule requiring quiet and good order in the buildings.

Chapel Bell. The chapel bell shall be rung at 7:45 and
7:55 a. m. ; at 12:45 and 12:55 p. m. ; at 2:40 p. m. and at
6:45 and 6:55 p. m. Every student is expected to be in his
place and be ready for work on his studies, before the tap
bell is heard at 8 :00 a. m., 1 :00 p. m. and 7 :00 p. m.

Farm Bell. The signal for the janitors or fire makers

RULES, MOTTOES AND COURSE OF STUDY 263

shall be rung at 5 :40 a. m., the call to rise, at 6:00 a. m. ; for
dinner at 11 :40 a. m. ; supper at 5 :40 p. m. ; retiring at 8:20
and 8:30 p. m., when all lights in the rooms must be
put out.

The dining room bell will ring for breakfast, at 6:20 a.
m. ; dinner, at 11:55 a. m. ; supper, at 6:00 p. m.

All matters for the mail must be delivered at the office
before 1:00 p. m.

II. MEETINGS AND CHORES

Genius. All are encouraged to learn how to work hard
and constantly, and to use every spare moment for some
good purpose. There is no genius like that for hard work.
Enthusiastic interest in one's work is essential to success.
Idleness is a sin, a waste of life, and cannot be endured at
Oak Hill, which is intended to be a hive of industry.

Carefulness. All must learn to use rightly and careful-
ly the books, slates, tools, and furniture entrusted to them.
All injuries to books, furniture or buildings must be paid
for by those guilty of injuring them.

Services. All, unless specially excused, are required to
attend all the religious services on the Sabbath, including
the Bible Memory class. The Endeavor meeting is the
student's special training service; all are expected to par-
ticipate in it, by at least reading or repeating a verse of
Scripture ; and in the Bible Memory class by committing an
average of one verse a day. All are encouraged to covet the
best gifts, especially the power of complete self-control, and
the ability to say things forcibly, and do things thoroughly.

Speakers. Those speak with authority, who, instead of
telling what they think, or making an apology, tell what the
Bible, the law of the Lord, says. All should endeavor to in-
struct, animate and encourage ; none should ever indulge in
fault-finding, or allude to any personal grievance.

Leaders. Leaders of meetings are expected to be fully
prepared before hand, to stand when they speak; to speak
sufficiently loud and distinct as to be easily heard by the
most distant listener ; to repeat the numbers of the hymns ;
to request the audience to stand during prayer ; to afford an
opportunity for volunteer prayers or remarks; and to close
the meeting as soon as the interest in it has ended.

264 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Immorality. No one guilty of persistent immoral con-
duct, will either be admitted, or be permitted to remain at
the academy.

Chores. The domestic work in all the buildings, the
care of the stock, and the preparation of the fuel, are ap-
portioned among the students, and all are required to do
their part.

Janitors. The janitors must see that the kindling has
been provided in the evening; rise promptly at the call of
the janitor's signal; and have the fires in the sitting rooms
and chapel burning in good shape, before the ringing of the
rising bell. These fires are to be maintained during the day,
by those specially appointed to perform that duty. All are
expected, to exercise good judgment and practice economy in
the use of both the kindling and wood. The ashes from all
the stoves must be carried to the heap every morning. Only
old vessels may be used for this purpose and these, when
emptied, must be returned to their proper places.

Care of Stock. Those assigned the care of the stock are
required to be prompt and faithful in caring for it; in the
morning, at noon and evening day by day, according to in-
structions, without having to be prompted. This work must
not be left undone or entrusted to others, without first noti-
fying the superintendent.

Other Chores. This rule, requiring faithfulness, applies
also to those, who have been assigned the chore work about
the buildings, kindling fires, sweeping halls, cleaning lamps,
carrying water and wood.

Hall Lamps. The hall lamps, water pails and other fix-
tures, that are intended to serve all, must never be removed
from their places, to render service to an individual.

III. WORK AND THINGS FORBIDDEN

Work Period. All over 13 years of age are expected to
render three full hours of faithful and efficient work each
day, and on Saturday until 2:30 p. m. Time lost by tardi-
ness, or unnecessary absence during the working period,
must be made up before the end of the term.

Object. The aim of your teachers, during these work-
periods, is to give you a practical knowledge of the simple
arts of life; that you may be intelligent, capable and effi-

RULES, MOTTOES AND COURSE OF STUDY 265

cient workmen; be enabled to make your own homes more
comfortable, and create a demand for your services.

Tool Rules. Each workman, at the close of the work
period, must return all tools used to their proper place. If
they have been transferred, then the last one using them
must return them. None are permitted to use any tools, or
touch any musical instrument, until they have been taught
the rules relating to them ; and have been shown how to use
them, and do the work in a skillful and workmanlike man-
ner. Tools must never be taken to any of the rooms to do
any repair work.

Non-interference. When students are working under
the direction of anyone, they must not be interfered with by
others, nor leave the work assigned them, without the
knowledge and approval of the one, under whose direction
they are working at the time.

Irregularity. Irregularity greatly interferes with a
student's progress and the work of his class and teacher.
Leave of absence during the term cannot therefore be grant-
ed, except for the most urgent reasons. Those, that from
any cause, miss one or more lessons, should endeavor to
master them when they return.

Caution. All are kindly advised never to be guilty of
any word or act, that will be likely to cause you to forfeit the
esteem and confidence of the superintendent, or your teach-
ers. A good student endeavors to aid and cheer, but never
disobeys or annoys a teacher.

Things Forbidden. Never permit yourself to indulge
in any dispute with your teacher in the school room, shop or
field.

Don't tease, ridicule or despise others; be polite and
courteous to each other.

Don't indulge in the use of profane or obscene language,
or in any acts of deceit, falsehood or theft.

Don't use or have in your possession, any intoxicating
liquors, tobacco or snuff in any form ; gamblers' or obscene
cards or pictures ; concealed weapons ; or soil the floors with
spittle or wash water.

Don't indulge in singing, whistling, unnecessary talk-
ing or foolish laughter while working with others; or play
ball while others are working, or choring.

266 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

All communications between boys and girls, and all as-
sociation or interference on the play grounds are strictly for-
bidden.

At the close of all meetings, especially those in the eve-
ning, the girls are required to go directly and quietly to their
hall.

Don't be extravagant or foppish in your dress, or bor-
row or lend, either clothing or money.

Don't send home for eatables or other unnecessary
things. New clothing, especially shoes, should not be sent
from home, without having the measure taken. It is bet-
ter to send the money.

Every article of clothing needing to be washed must
have the owner's name.

Don't tamper with the street lamp, or the plugs in the
water trough ; nor change the pins, tubs or tube at the well ;
nor roughly jerk the pump handles at the well and cisterns.

Use everything in the way and for the purpose for
which it was intended, never otherwise.

Don't leave your seat in the school room, or go out of
it during school hours, without permission from your teach-
er. Never sit on the tops of the desks.

Teachers. Each teacher is expected to keep in an or-
derly form on the teacher's desk, for use in conducting reci-
tations, a complete set of the Text books used by the classes ;
and to prepare before hand all lessons or parts thereof that
may not be familiar.

The power of suspension or exclusion is vested only
in the superintendent. This power must never be exercised
by any of his helpers without his previous knowledge and
approval.

All matters relating to the repair of the buildings and
their equipment should be promptly reported to the super-
intendent.

The aim of the primary teacher, at the time of recita-
tion, should be to have all the pupils reproduce the entire
lesson one or more times in concert and then individually
to accomplish this with as few words as possible.

The aim of every teacher should be to make Oak Hill,
to all the young people pursuing their studies here, a foun-

RULES, MOTTOES AND COURSE OF STUDY 267

tain of inspiration, a sanctuary where fellowship with the
Redeemer of the world and a new discovery of the glory of
God shall be among the blessings bestowed.

Book Marks. The teachers are required to furnish every
new pupil one complete set of approved, folded marginal
book marks ; one for each text book, and for both the Sun-
day school and Memory lessons in the Bible. By example
and precept, they are expected to require them to keep them
in their proper places, and if carelessly lost, to replace them
with new ones of their own making. Among the objects to
be attained by the enforcement of this rule are the habit of
carefulness in little things, to save the books from other in-
jurious methods of marking and to save the time of the
teacher, class and pupil.

FIRE PRECAUTIONS

The rooms occupied by the students must be carefully
inspected by the matrons or their special monitors every
time the students leave them for the school or chapel; to
see that the buildings have not been endangered by any acts
of carelessness or thoughtlessness.

The ladders must be kept where they may be easily and
quickly obtained.

On the first Friday of each term the students shall be
organized into a Fire Department, the superintendent serv-
ing as chief and the matrons and teachers as his special
aids. The fire-fighters shall include the pumpers and a
bucket brigade; the life and property savers shall include
the ladder squad; and the strenuous work of all shall con-
tinue until the building or the last possible piece of proper-
ty has been saved.

The fire drills shall consist of quick orderly marches,
at an unexpected signal, from all the buildings occupied, and
the report of each squad for duty to their respective fore-
men.

TO PARENTS

These suggestions to parents or guardians appear on
the monthly report cards.

This report is sent you in the hope it will give you that
information you naturally desire to receive in regard to the
work and standing of the pupils you have sent to the acad-
emy.

268 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

In your communications to your children encourage
them to be prompt and punctual in meeting every engage-
ment, to remember the Sabbath day, to improve their spare
moments by reading the Bible or some good book, to do their
best during the hours of study and work each day, and to
refrain from association with the idle or worthless.

(1) SALUTE TO THE FLAG

(2) We give our heads (3) and our hearts (4) to our
Country. (5) One country, one language (6) one flag.

1. All rise and extend right arm toward the flag. 2 Touch fore-
head with tips of the fingers. 3. Right palm over the heart. 4. Both
hands extended upward. 5. Lean forward, hands at sides. 6. With
emphasis, right hand pointing to the flag. Sing America.

"The red is for love that will dare and do
The blue is the sign of the brave and true.
The white with all evil and wrong shall cope,
And the silver stars are the stars of hope."

THE STUDENTS GOODBYE

Good bye, Oak Hill ; good bye ;
We're off to the fields and the open sky ;
But we shall return in the fall, you know,
As glad to return as we are now to go.

Good bye, Oak Hill ; Good bye.

THE COURSE OF STUDY

The following is the course of study pursued at the
academy, the high school course being added June 1, 1912.

I. PRIMARY DEPARTMENT

First Grade: First Reader, Reading Chart, Primer,
Printing, Numbers and Tables. Books of Bible, Memory
Work.

Second Grade : Second Reader, Doubs Speller, Printing,
Writing, Tables, Primary Arithmetic. Also the Bible, Short-
er Catechism and Vocal Music in this and the subsequent
grades.

II. INTERMEDIATE DEPARTMENT

Third Grade: Third Reader, Doubs Speller, (Smith's)
Primary Arithmetic, Principles of Penmanship, (Spencer
or Eaton), Introductory Language Work, Primary Geogra-
phy.

RULES, MOTTOES AND COURSE OF STUDY 269

Fourth Grade: Fourth Reader, Doubs Speller, Pri-
mary Arithmetic, Writing, (Thompson's) Principles of
Drawing, Primary Geography, (Krohn's) First Book in
Physiology.

Leslie's Music Chart and Ideal Class Book ; and Thwing's
Voice Culture, are used weekly for instruction in the prin-
ciples, and general drills in gesture, note reading and voice
culture.

III. GRAMMAR DEPARTMENT

Fifth Grade : Fifth Reader, U. S. History, Doubs Speller,
Primary Arithmetic, Reed & Kellogg's Graded Lessons in
English, or Burt's Grammar, Physiology, Writing, Nature
Study Chart.

Sixth Grade: Fifth Reader, History of United States
or Oklahoma, Doubs Speller, (Smith's) Practical Arith-
metic, Writing, Geography, Drawing, Burt's Grammar or
Reed & Kellogg's Graded Lessons in English, Agriculture.

Seventh Grade: The Bible, Literary Readings, Doubs
Speller, Arithmetic, Grammar, Agriculture, Civics, Writing,
Geography Completed.

Eighth Grade : The Bible or Literary Readings, Doubs
Speller, Grammar, Composition, (Carson's Handbook),
Arithmetic, (Evans & Bunn's) Civics, Constitution of Okla-
homa and United States, Writing, Bookkeeping (Stephen-
son's), Thompson's Drawing for Rural Schools.

Wentworth's Mental Arithmetic is commended for use
in the Sixth to Eighth grades.

Frequent reviews of the rules and definitions are es-
sential to the attainment of a thorough knowledge of any
textbook and the most rapid advancement in it.

Didactic Electives: Page's Theory and Practice in
Teaching ; Holbrook on the Teacher's Methods ; Wickersham
on School Government ; Trumbull, the Teacher Teaching ; or
similar works.

This outline of grades and studies is intended to be sug-
gestive and helpful to the teachers in the Academy in grad-
ing and promoting the pupils. The pupils should be arrang-
ed in classes according to their several abilities, rather
than according to this outline in an arbitrary manner, in
order that the classes at the time of recitation may be as
large as possible rather than small. Their grade is ascer-
tained by the majority of their studies, and their standing
or rank by their percentage in each.

270 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

This course has been arranged in harmony with the
outline course prepared in 1908 for the public and city-
schools of Oklahoma, and is intended to prepare pupils for
entering the high school course consisting of the Ninth to
Twelfth grades, or a normal course consisting of Didactics,
Methods in Teaching and School Government.

A suitable certificate is issued to all pupils that com-
plete, in a creditable manner, all the studies in this prepar-
atory course ending with the Eighth grade.

The industrial work and training required of all the
boarding pupils is intended to include a practical knowledge
of agriculture, animal husbandry, apiculture, poultry rais-
ing, carpentry, cobbling, concrete, gardening, domestic
science, sewing and laundry work, as the opportunity is af-
forded and the pupils discover fitness for these arts.

IV. HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Ninth Grade: Grammar, Arithmetic, Composition,
Civics, Elementary Algebra, Bookkeeping.

Tenth Grade: Algebra, Hill's Etymology, Physical
Geography, General History, Rhetoric.

Eleventh Grade: Algebra, Rhetoric, Ancient History,
American Literature (Abernathy), Composition, Botany,
Plane Geometry.

Twelfth Grade : Solid Geometry, (Hessler & Smith's)
Chemistry, Newcomber's English Literature, Political

Economy.

Electives: Astronomy, Geology, Zoology, Trigonom-
etry; Surveying, Stenography, Typewriting, Telegraphy.

In January 1908, when P. K. Faison, first superintend-
ent of the public schools of McCurtain county, made his
first visit to Oak Hill, he stated that Wheelock and Oak Hill
Academies were the only graded schools in McCurtain
county at that time.

TEACHING IN SUNDAY SCHOOL

As a help to young Sunday school teachers in the prep-
aration of the lesson and its management before the class
Miss Saxe's method of five points of analysis and five points
of application are given.

RULES, MOTTOES AND COURSE OF STUDY 271

ANALYSIS

1. What is the principal subject?

2. What the leading lessons ?

3. Which the best verse ?

4. Who are the principal persons ?

5. What teaching about Christ?

APPLICATION

1. What example to follow?

2. What to avoid?

3. What duty to perform?

4. What promise to proclaim?

5. What prayer to echo?

XXXII

SAVINGS AND INVESTMENTS

'Gather up the Fragments that nothing be lost." — Jesus.
SAVINGS OR WAGES
Kf^/pT is a matter of great importance to every
one to learn early in life the difference be-
tween monthly or yearly savings and wages ;
and also the difference between personal ex-
penses and profitable investments.
When a boy works on the railroad and has to supply all
his daily wants, he knows what his wages are and answers
the question quickly, stating what he receives by the day
when he makes a full day's work. But when he is asked,
"What are your monthly savings ?" he is bothered and frank-
ly confesses he cannot tell. Before the end of the second
month the wages of his first month have slowly passed
through his hands for personal expenses and little or noth-
ing has been saved for profitable investment.

When a boy works for a farmer, who receives him into
his home, providing for him a furnished room, fuel, light,
boarding and washing, he does not seem to receive more
than half what the other boy receives who works for the
railroad. When he is asked the same question, "What are
your monthly wages and what your monthly savings?" he
makes reply by stating the balance in the farmer's hand as
his savings, and that is correct ; but he cannot tell what his
wages are, by way of comparison with the other boy. The

(272)

SAVINGS AND INVESTMENTS 273

first boy at the end of the month has received wages the
other boy his savings, save for his clothing. The latter at
the end of the year has ordinarily saved more than the
former, though all the time he may have imagined he was
not receiving sufficient wages, merely because the monthly
allowance of the farmer is commonly called "wages," instead
of by the right name, "monthly savings."

That which the farmer does for his boy, in providing
him a home and helping him to save his earnings, this
Industrial Academy is now doing for every boy, that is
received into the membership of the Oak Hill Family and
makes his home there during the summer season.

At the Academy he not only finds steady employment,
but is removed from the places that call for worse than use-
less daily expenditures; and the monthly allowance, made
by the Superintendent, represents not his wages but his
monthly savings, in the deposit bank of the institution.

When a parent or boy makes the discovery, that the
boys who remain at the Academy during the summer months
have more funds to their credit in the Bank of the institu-
tion in the fall of the year, than many of those who receive
a higher daily wage elsewhere, and that they also make the
most rapid progress in their studies, they begin to see the
difference between working for savings and working for
wages; and how much better off is the boy, who takes the
training and grows up under the stimulating and elevating
influence of a good educational institution.

INVESTMENTS

A personal expense is an expenditure of money for some

article that may indeed be necessary, as a pair of shoes, but

it begins to depreciate in value as soon as the expenditure

has been made. A profitable investment is an expenditure

274 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

of money, time or talents, that is expected to increase in
value or yield an income. If a lamb is purchased it will grow
into a sheep and its value is doubled. If an acre of good land
is purchased it is sure to increase in value according to its
quality and location.

The ability to avoid personal expenses and to make
profitable investments is one of the things that determines
our good or ill success in life. The education of a thought-
ful, earnest boy or girl is ordinarily a good and profitable in-
vestment, for their value or usefulness may be increased
many times more than that of the lamb or the acre of land.
If they are gratefully responsive to their training no better
investment can be made, than that which has for its object
the intellectual, moral and religious training of our boys
and girls.

A christian educational institution is an investment
for producing manhood and character, things that money
will not buy. One may invest in bonds or stocks, and make
or lose money ; but he who aids in the production of christian
men and women, trained for service, increases their useful-
ness and continues to live through their consecrated lives
and achievements.

This institution makes its appeal to the friends who
have money and who would make a profitable investment;
and also to the thoughtful boys and girls, who would greatly
increase their value to society, the church and the world, by
obtaining a good education in their youth.

GOING TO SCHOOL

■■Pill* IP!

THE ORCHESTRA— 1912
[274]

YOUTHFUL SWEEPERS
Holding and using the broom aright

OAK HILL— Weimer Photos

XXXIII

SUMMER NORMALS AND CHAUTAU-
QUA

"Apt to teach, patient." — Paul

V^><£^/pHE summer normals were established at the
HP \t academy in October, 1905, and were con-

tinued during the next two years. Their
object was to prepare candidates for the
ministry, under the care of the Presbytery,
to serve also at that time as teachers in the mission, and
later in the public schools; and to afford ambitious young
people the opportunity to prepare for the same work. They
were conducted by the superintendent and Bertha L.
Ahrens, the latter serving as instructor in the class room.

At the time they were held, they afforded the only op-
portunity in the south part of the Choctaw Nation, for the
Freedmen to receive this training. When the McCurtain
county normal was established at Idabel in 1908, they were
no longer needed and were discontinued.

Those that attended the normals were as follows:

In 1905, Mary A. Donaldson of Paris, Texas.

In 1906, Mary A. Donaldson and Lilly B. Simms, Paris,
Texas; Mrs. W. H. Carroll and Fidelia Murchison, Garvin,
Mary E. Shoals, Grant, and James G. Shoals, Valliant.

In 1907, Zolo O. Lawson, Shawneetown, Mary E. Shoals,
Grant ; Delia Clark, Lehigh ; Virginia Wofford and Solomon
H. Buchanan, Valliant.

(275)

276 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

When the first summer normal was held at the academy
in 1905, a request for some lectures or an instructor a part
of the time addressed to Hon. J. Blair Shoenfelt, Indian
agent, Muskogee, brought the following response from John
D. Benedict, superintendent of schools.

"The colored citizens of the Choctaw Nation have not
been allowed to participate in the benefit of the school fund
of that Nation ; hence we have not been able to establish any
schools for colored children in the Choctaw and Chickasaw
Nations, until this year. We have now a few colored schools
in both of these Nations. There has never been any de-
mand for normals or summer institutes for colored teachers
in these two Nations. They will enjoy an appropriation of
$100,000 for the ensuing year, but there are no funds
available for normal schools among them this year." John
D. Benedict, Superintendent.

This letter indicates the lapse of provision for the gen-
eral education of the Choctaw Freedmen and its renewal
during the last years of the Territorial government.

LICENTIATES

Those that pursued the course of study, provided dur-
ing these years, for those that were preparing specially for
the ministry, were Noah Alverson, Griffin, and John Rich-
ards, Lukfata. Mr. Richards died at 28 in 1908 and Mr.
Alverson was ordained in 1910.

CANDIDATES FOR THE MINISTRY

In April 1911, Riley Flournoy, Sylvester S. Bibbs, Fred
McFarland and Clarence Peete expressed the desire to be-
come ministers of the gospel and were received under the
care of the Presbytery at Eagletown, as candidates. All
were members of the Oak Hill church and school.

SUMMER NORMALS AND CHAUTAUQUA 277

THE FIRST CHAUTAUQUA

In 1907, the last year under territorial government, ar-
rangements were made for a patriotic celebration, in the
form of a chautauqua at the Academy. The following ac-
count of it is from the columns of the Garvin Graphic:

The Fourth of July meeting bv the Freedmen at Oak
ilill AcacY:. ly, near Valliant, was a real patriotic chautauqua,
the first meeting of the kind ever held in this part of the
Territory, and well worthy of more than a mere passing
note. The preparations for the occasion, which included a
comfortable seat for everyone, were fully completed before
hand. The speakers' stand and the Academy buildings were
tastefully decorated with our beautiful national colors, one
large flag suspended between two of them, being twelve feet
long.

"The exercises included three series of addresses, inter-
spersed with soul-stirring patriotic music by the Oak Hill
Glee Club, and the speakers included several of the most
eloquent orators in the south part of the territory. The oc-
casion afforded ample opportunity for the free and full dis-
cussion of those questions, relating to the administration
of our public affairs, that are now engaging the attention of
the people; and this fact was greatly appreciated both by
the speakers and the people.

"At the forenoon session James R. Crabtree presided
with commendable grace and dignity. The Declaration of
Independence was read in a very entertaining and impres-
sive manner by Miss Malinda Hall, who has been an efficient
helper in the work of the Academy, since its re-opening two
years ago. The principal address at this session was deliv-
ered by Rev. Wiley Homer, of Grant, a large, well built man
with a strong voice, who for many years has been a capable
and trusted leader among the Freedmen of this section.
Others that participated were Johnson Shoals, of Valliant,
who has been pursuing a course of study at the Iowa State
Agricultural college, Ames, Iowa, and W. J. Wehunt, one of
the prominent business men of Valliant.

"At the afternoon session Isaac Johnson, a natural born
orator, presided and, both in his address and happy manner
of introducing the speakers, enlivened the occasion with
unexpected sallies of natural mother wit and eloquence. Rev.

278 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

W. H. Carroll, of Garvin, one of the instructors of the Acad-
emy, discussed in an able manner a number of questions re-
lating to the educational and church work among the ne-
groes ; and he was followed by Prof. P. A. Parish, of Idabel,
the well-known "Kansas negro," but of full-blood African
descent, who seemed at his best in the discussion of current
and local public questions.

"Rev. Wiley Homer presided at the evening session and
the address was delivered by Rev. Chas. C. Weith, of Ard-
more. This address, delivered in the cool of the evening,
marked the climax of interest. In an eloquent and forceful
manner he recalled the events that led to the first declara-
tion of independence, which was for the freedom of the soul
by Luther in Germany in 1517; traced the growth of this
sentiment in other countries until it found its expression
in the Declaration of Independence for the citizen, by our
forefathers in 1776; and pressed the urgent need of Godli-
ness on the part of every American citizen, in order to have
the highest type of patriot and to insure the permanency
of our civil and religious liberty. This address was a rare
treat for the people of this section.

"Patriotic solos were rendered by Miss Bertha L.
Ahrens, organist, Rev. W. H. Carroll, S. H. Buchanan, Mrs.
J. A. Thomas and Miss Hall.

"The barbecue was prepared during the night previous
by Charles Bibbs.

"Rev. R. E. Flickinger, the superintendent of the Acad-
emy, at the close of the day's sessions, received hearty con-
gratulations for the excellent character of the arrange-
ments for the day and was encouraged to provide for sim-
ilar patriotic celebrations in the future."

XXXIV

GRACES AND PRAYERS

"In all things, give thanks, pray without ceasing." —
Paul.

i^^^^/PHE following forms of grace and prayer are
V '"p y[ intended to be suggestive helps to young

people, who have the desire to be ready al-
ways to lead in prayer and conduct family
worship, with interest and profit to others.
Bible reading and private prayer prepare for public prayer;
but the latter is rendered much easier, when it is remem-
bered, that it should consist of expressions of thanksgiving,
confession, petition and intercession. Those that lead should
speak loud enough to be easily heard by everyone, and with
an earnestness, that suggests sincerity.

GRACE AT MEALS

BREAKFAST. We thank Thee, our Father, for sweet
rest and refreshment in sleep, thy bountiful supply of our
wants and the right use of our faculties. Give us wisdom
this day in the discharge of duty and in the employment of
our time and talents for Jesus' sake. Amen.

DINNER. We thank thee, our Father, that thou dost
give to us health and strength to perform our labors and
hast surrounded us with the blessings and comforts of life.
Feed our souls with the bread of life and enable us to serve
thee acceptably for Jesus' sake. Amen.

SUPPER. We thank thee, our Father, that thou hast
enabled us to perform the labors of the day and graciously
supplied our wants. Establish the work of our hands and
forgive our sins for Jesus' sake. Amen.

(279)

280 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

HELPFUL FORMS OF PRAYER

"Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep ;
If I should die before I wake,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to take ;
And this I ask for Jesus' sake."

We thank thee, O Lord, for strength of arm to win
our daily bread; for enough on which to live and some to
give to those that are unfed. We thank thee for shelter
from the cold and storm, a place that may be shared with a
friend forlorn. We thank thee for thy wonderful love on us
bestowed, that we should now be called the children of God.

May thy gracious presence go with us this day. Put
good thoughts into our minds and good words into our
mouths. Make us strong to do that which is pleasing in thy
sight, by making thy word the guide of our lives. Bless our
friends that are near and dear unto us. May their lives be
found precious in thy sight. Command thy blessing to rest
upon our neighbors and all with whom we associate.

May thy richest spiritual blessing rest upon thy ser-
vant, our pastor, and all the people to whom be ministers;
so that the work of the Lord may prosper in our hands. Bless
our children and youth by writing their names in the Book
of life and inclining them to walk in thy commands.

Forgive our sins, comfort our hearts, strengthen our
faith and enable us to serve Thee acceptably; we ask it for
Jesus' sake. Amen.

ANOTHER ONE

We thank thee our Father, for the Bible, thine own
blessed word, that teaches us, what we are to believe con-
cerning Thee, and what duties Thou requirest of us. Help
us to read it with the understanding heart, that it may
prove a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.

We thank Thee for the voice of conscience, prompting
us to do right. Enable us by Thy grace to do promptly, that
which we know to be right. Help us to remember the Sab-
bath, to keep it holy unto the Lord. Help us to set our affec-
tion on the "house of the Lord;" and when we worship Thee,
may the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us. Bless
our friends and neighbors; all who seek an interest in our
prayers. Forgive our sins and enable us to serve thee ac-
ceptably, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

GRACES AND PRAYERS 281

A PRAYER FOR THE AGED

Ever blessed and gracious God, our Father, I humbly
pray that thou wilt not cast me off in the time of old age,
when my strength faileth. Preserve unto me the right use
of my faculties for my soul trusteth in Thee. Comfort and
strengthen my soul in the day of weakness that I may attest
thy faithfulness in fulfilling all thy gracious promises.

Thou hast taught me to know mine end and the meas-
ure of my days, that I might apply my heart unto wisdom ;
and desire to dwell in Thy presence, where there is fulness
of joy; and at thy right hand, where there are pleasures for
evermore.

When the time comes for my inexperienced soul to
leave its earthly temple, send the blessed angels to carry it
to the mansions, thou hast prepared for the redeemed, who
put their trust in Thee; and accord unto me an abundant
entrance into the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ. To whom be praise, dominion and glory, now and
forever. Amen.

"How beautiful to be with God !
To lay aside this toil-worn dress,
To wear a crown of righteousness,
And robes of purest white possess ;
And sing the sweet redemption song."

— Frances Willard.

XXXV

PRESBYTERIAL MEETINGS AND

PICNICS

OAK HILL IN 1905.— NOT A BUCKET.— GOING TO PRESBYTERY.
ENTERTAINMENT FOR EVERYBODY.

j^5)<^/pN August 31, 1905, the Presbytery of Ki-
(^\ \( amichi met at Oak Hill, at a time when an

attack of malaria at his summer home at
Fonda, Iowa, prevented the return of the
superintendent. The attendance of visitors
was unusually large. It fell to the lot of Miss Eaton, matron,
and Miss Ahrens to provide for their entertainment. They
were ably assisted by Miss M. A. Hall and Mitchell S. Stew-
art. They had sixty for dinner on Friday and Saturday and
one hundred and twenty-five on Sabbath.

On this occasion three new members were added to the
roll, Jack A. Thomas was elected and ordained an elder, and
Samuel Harris, a deacon.

The meetings of the Presbytery, which are always evan-
gelistic, have now come to be the most attractive, interesting
and profitable meetings held in their respective commun-
ities. As the available churches are few in number, the
meetings are held in each every two or three years. The
coming of the Presbytery is anticipated with a great deal of
interest, and a "big crowd" is the delight of the congrega-
tion, receiving and entertaining it. This is a fact worthy
of special note.

(282)

PRESBYTERIAL MEETINGS AND PICNICS 283

NOT AN OAK HILL BUCKET
In the Territorial clays, or, rather previous to the allot-
ment of lands to them individually in 1905, the most at-
tractive meeting, in their various neighborhoods, was the
annual old-time picnic, made interesting by the presence of a
"merry go round" that relieved them of their nickels, and
a platform, where promiscuous dancing was sure to be con-
tinued through most of the night, and be accompanied with
considerable dissipation and immorality.

When the superintendent discovered the nature of these
gatherings, he did not hesitate to declare their dissipating
and demoralizing tendency. He also stated the attitude of
the institution in regard to them by giving utterance to the
following sentiment: "Whilst everything at the academy is
available for the betterment of the colored people, there is
not an Oak Hill bucket available for use, at a dissipating
and demoralizing dance in the timber." This sentiment
sounded a little harsh and cruel at first, but it now com-
mands the approval of all the good students and of those,
who are doing most to promote the happiness and welfare of
the young and rising generation. Since the young people
have come to participate, to a greater extent, in the frequent
meetings of the Presbytery and in an annual Sunday school
convention, the old time "dance in the timber", has become a
"thing of the past."

EVERYBODY GOES TO PRESBYTERY
The meetings of the Presbytery are sure to be attended
by everyone, living in the vicinity of the meeting, and by as
many others as can manage to "get there." It is unusual
for any colored minister and his elder to be absent from any
meeting, no matter how great may be the difficulties, that
have to be overcome in getting there. If the place of meet-

284 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

ing can be easily reached, additional delegates are chosen to
represent the Sunday school, the aid, Endeavor and Wo-
men's Missionary societies.

If these additional delegates get to the meeting, they
are duly enrolled and later are accorded all the time they
wish in making their oral reports of the work they repre-
sent. All seem to enjoy making reports and addresses at
Presbytery. Many are animated with the earnest desire to
aid in giving their race an uplift, and the address in Pres-
bytery seems to be one of the nicest opportunities to do this.
This is especially true of some of those among the older peo-
ple who cannot read, survivors of the slavery period who in-
herited good memories and good voices. Several of the most
eloquent and deeply impressive appeals, it was the privilege
of the author to hear at the academy or Presbytery, were
delivered by those, whose condition of slavery in youth and
isolated location afterward prevented attendance at school.
By frequent participation in religious meetings, where they
endeavored to repeat and enforce Bible truths, to which they
had given an attentive ear, caused them, like some of the
famous philosophers in the days of Socrates and Aristotle,
to be held in high esteem as persons of intelligence and in-
fluence in their respective communities. Henry Crittenden,
Elijah Butler, Mrs. Charles Bashears, and Simon Folsom
were all good examples of unlettered, but natural orators,
who found their widest sphere of usefulness in the activities
of the church.

GOING TO PRESBYTERY

Those, attending the meetings of the Presbytery,
often experienced serious disappointments on the way and
some little inconveniences, when they got there. Previous
to the organization of the church at Garvin in 1905, there

PRESBYTERIAL MEETINGS AND PICNICS 285

were only two churches, Oak Hill and Beaver Dam at Grant,
that were located near the railroad. All the other churches
were located in rural neighborhoods, 8 to 20 miles distant
from the nearest station. The roads to them were merely
winding trails through the timber, that crossed the streams
where it was possible to ford them, without any grading of
the banks.

That which we witnessed and partially experienced, in
making our first trip through the timber to a meeting of the
Presbytery at Frogville, about fifteen miles from the sta-
tion, was characteristic of three other meetings we attend-
ed, at a distance from the railroad.

The delegation, that arrived at the station, consisted of
nearly two dozen and about half of them were women. We
arrived at the place the wagons were to meet us, after walk-
ing across the railroad bridge over the Kiamichi river, a
short distance west of the station. When we arrived there,
we found only one wagon of the three, that were expected.
That was a serious but not a stunning disappointment. The
luggage was crowded into the bed of that wagon and it
carried also a few of the older women. The rest of us set
out on a good long walk, indulging the hope other teams
would surely meet and relieve us somewhere on the road.
As the hour of noon was approaching, we anticipated our
needs on the way, by having a box of crackers and a slice of
cheese put on the wagon. When we reached a half way
place, where there was also a spring of good water, this
lunch was greatly enjoyed. We managed to ride the re-
mainder of the distance, and at the end of the journey we
heard no one complain the "road am hard to travel."

286 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

ENTERTAINMENT FOR EVERYBODY

The problem of entertainment, always seemed before-
hand a rather serious one for the few families, living near
the church in a rural neighborhood. Their generous hos-
pitality, however, never seemed to be over taxed, but to
have an elasticity, that included a cordial welcome to every
one, and as much of comfort during the night as it was
possible to extend. Many of the younger people on Saturday
and Sabbath evenings, when their number would be greatest,
would be grateful when they were accorded a pillow and
blanket for a bed on the floor, or a bench.

The happy, hopeful spirit, manifested by both hosts
and guests, in meeting the responsibilities and unexpected
disappointments, that are sometimes experienced while at-
tending meetings of the Presbytery in the rural neighbor-
hoods, reminds one of the happy remark of a little six year
old boy, in regard to a sunny visitor, whom he knew had ex-
perienced many trials and had just left their home: "Yes,
I like her ; she goes over the bumps as though her heart had
rubber tires."

XXXVI

FARMERS INSTITUTES

1905-1912

FOREST CHURCH.— OAK HILL.— SHORT COURSE IN 1912.—
ISAAC JOHNSON.— EMANCIPATION DAY.

"Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful and
most noble employment of man." — George Washington.

>HE first meeting, conducted by the Choctaw
Freedmen, it was the privilege of the author
to attend was their annual Farmers Insti-
tute, held in Forest Presbyterian church
on Monday, Jan. 1, 1905. Others had been
held in other places during previous years but this was the
second annual meeting in the Forest church, and it was
called the county institute of Fort Towson county. It was
their own original method of endeavoring to make a pleas-
ant and profitable observance of Emancipation Day.

On this the first historic occasion the meeting was con-
ducted by Johnson W. Shoals, president, in a very dignified
manner. An interesting annual report was read by the sec-
retary, James G. Shoals, Fidelia Murchison read an essay
on gardening and Elsie Shoals-Arnold, one on making and
marketing butter. The author indulged in a short address
and other addresses were delivered by Simon Folsom, Lee
V. Bibbs, Charles Bashears and Mitchell Stewart. The
principal address however, was by Isaac Johnson, one of
their number living along the north bank of Red river,
who had learned the teacher's and speaker's art in Texas.

(287)

288 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

He seemed to be at his best and discussed good morals, agri-
culture and the destiny of the Choctaw Freedmen, with so
much native wit and humor, we felt well repaid for the long,
wearisome journey to the place of meeting.

The meeting consisted of one long session, called a
forenoon meeting, and at its close, it fell to our lot to ac-
cept an unexpected invitation to enjoy an old-time picnic
dinner, which was soon spread on the backless benches in
the church. Isaac Johnson was chosen as the new president
and he has continued to serve in that capacity.

The meeting the next year was held in this same place
and commencing Jan. 1, 1907, they began to he held at Oak
Hill Academy.

The meeting held at Oak Hill on Jan. 1, 1907, had some
features worthy of special mention. It was the first oc-
casion, when the meeting included the sessions of two days,
or any effort was made to have an exhibit of the products
of the garden and field. McCurtain county, though not yet
organized had been established, and the officers took more
pains than usual, to invite the farmers in all parts of the
new county to participate in its discussions. It was the first
time, that an effort was made to have a special lecturer
from the Agricultural college and the young people at Oak
Hill, trained to supply the needs of the occasion with vocal
and instrumental music. It was very gratifying to note the
increased attendance and interest.

For this occasion, Miss Eaton prepared an artistic de-
sign, with grains of corn of different colors, for the center
of the decoration over the speaker's stand, that attracted
the attention and called forth the admiration of all. It con-
sisted of a large tablet having a representation of a large
broadly branching oak tree on the summit of a little hill, hav-

FARMERS INSTITUTES 289

ing a canopy of bright stars over it and the words "Oak Hill"
in the form of an arch near its lower branches. Over the
tablet was the word "Welcome" and over the ends of it
"Happy New Year."

The entire program had been previously arranged, so
that all the addresses and discussions might form a part of
the course of instruction, in agriculture and animal hus-
bandry to the students. All the proceedings proved inter-
esting and instructive to them. In furnishing the vocal and
instrumental music, which formed a very pleasing feature
of each session, they were enabled to participate in a way
that was very profitable to them, and entertaining to others.

Among those who participated by addresses, on topics
previously assigned, were Isaac Johnson, James G. Shoals,
Rev. W. H. Carroll of Garvin, Rev. R. E. Flickinger, Adelia
Eaton, Malinda A. Hall, Bertha L. Ahrens, who also served
as organist, Solomon Buchanan, who also served as pianist,
John Richards of Lukfata, Noah Alverson of Lehigh, whose
ectures on raising corn and cotton were worthy of special
commendation, Rev. Samuel Gladman of Parsons, Martha
Folsom of Grant, R. H. Butler of Bokchito and Charles Bibbs,

Illness prevented the attendance of W. S. English, direc-
tor of the state college.

One of the resolutions adopted was as follows :

"That we note with great pleasure the manifest in-
crease of interest in this session of the Farmer's Institute,
on the part of the superintendent, teachers and students of
Oak Hill Academy and of the people generally, there being
a good local attendance and a larger representation than
ever before of interested farmers and speakers from other
parts of the surrounding country."

290 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

At this meeting it was decided the annual membership
fee shall be for men, twenty-five cents ; and for women, ten
cents.

SECOND OAK HILL INSTITUTE

The closing day of the second observance of Emancipa-
tion day by a two-day Farmer's institute at Oak Hill Acad-
emy occurred January 1, 1908. Among the new speakers
were Rev. Wiley Homer of Grant, Rev. William Butler of
Eagletown and Jack A. Thomas. Isaac Johnson and James
G. Shoals served as president and secretary and were again
re-elected. Prof. C. A. McNabb of Guthrie, Secretary of the
State Board of Agriculture, promised two addresses, but fail-
ed to arrive. The resolutions included a memorial to con-
gress for the establishment of postal savings banks and a
parcels post, both of which were established a few years
(1912) later. They also included the following one in regard
to the Mexican boll-weevil that during the previous four
years had nearly ruined the cotton crop.

"In order that we may do something practical in the
way of checking the ravages of the boll-weevil, we encour-
age every one raising cotton in this section, to plow up and
burn as early as possible each fall, all the old cotton stalks,
which principally furnish their fall and spring food supply;
and as far as possible to avoid planting cotton in the same
ground two years in succession."

The record of these two Farmer's institutes at Oak Hill
Academy, and of three preceding ones at Forest church, by
the Choctaw Freedmen during the period of the Territorial
government, is of historic interest, since these annual in-
stitutes preceded any similar meetings, by the other folks,
in that section of' the country. This observation is true also
of the three summer normals held at the Academy, during

FARMERS INSTITUTES 291

the months of October in 1905, 1906 and 1907 ; and of the
first Oak Hill chautauqua, held July 4, 1907.

SHORT COURSE IN 1912

For 1912 the institute was held on the last half day of
a three day short course in agriculture and animal hus-
bandry conducted by Prof. E. A. Porter and Mr. R. L. Scott,
expert farmers at Hugo; assisted by Prof. J. W. Reynolds
of Muskogee, the superintendent and Rev. W. H. Carroll.

In 1913, when the first opportunity was afforded min-
isters in California to attend a short course in agriculture,
lasting one week, at the state university farm, it was attend-
ed by five hundred pastors of churches, representing twenty
denominations. This fact, as an expression of the trend of
public sentiment, is noted with a good deal of interest.

ISAAC JOHNSON

Isaac Johnson, (B. 1859) organizer and president of
the Farmer's institute, 1905 to 1912, is a native of Hopkins
county, Texas, and in 1865 located near Clarksville. In 1876
he married Anna Wilson of the Choctaw Nation, who died
in 1880. He then went to school in Texas and, receiving a
certificate in 1889, taught school there four years. In 1893,
'94 and '95 he taught successively at Forest, Lukfata and
Eagletown, I. T. In 1894 he married Winnie Durant and
again located along Red river, south of Valliant, where he is
widely known as one of the leading farmers and stock
raisers.

The people of the community in which he lives, under
his leadership, on January 1, 1897, began to observe Emanci-
pation Day by holding a Farmer's institute, a kind of social
meeting, that afforded an opportunity for a number of them
to make short addresses, on any topic of public or general in-

292 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

terest, and all to participate in the enjoyment of a picnic din-
ner. He enjoys the distinction of having served as presi-
dent of this organization a number of years before any
similar organization was effected in McCurtain county.

EMANCIPATION DAY

The reasons for the general observance of New Year's
day as a legal holiday seem eminently appropriate, for the
attention of the people is seldom directed to them. There are
several good reasons worthy to be remembered.

It was on January 1, 1863, that President Lincoln issued
the memorable proclamation, that emanicipated the slaves
in all the states, then at war against the general govern-
ment. The number of the persons accorded freedom was
about four millions.

This event, considered from the standpoint of the num-
ber of people affected, was even greater than the Declara-
tion of Independence, for the latter resulted in the freedom
of only a part of the people, and their number was one mil-
lion less than the number set free in 1863. In 1790, when
the first census was taken, fourteen years after the Declar-
ation, the entire population was not quite four millions
and of that number 697,624 were left in a state of slavery.

That "all men are created free and equal," is a funda-
mental principle of the Declaration, but, for more than four-
score years, it was regarded as true of only a part of the peo-
ple. It was not realized by the other part of the people,
that was gradually increasing from one to four millions.
For them there was but one law and it was, "Servants obey
your masters." This was the only rule of conduct for the
negro. Under it he became socially "a curiosity." He had
no laws or ceremonies regulating marriage; and if such
ties were formed, they were liable to be broken at any time,

FARMERS INSTITUTES 293

by their sale to other and different owners. This rule did not
regulate his moral, economic or political life, for he was not
recognized as a person or citizen, possessing these faculties
and functions. It did not prevent him from worshipping
his Creator, but this was done in an ignorant way, that serv-
ed more for entertainment and amusement, than the devel-
opment of morality and piety.

After the lapse of a half century, he has not yet been
wholly emancipated from these illiterate and low social con-
ditions; but he is approving and pursuing the better way,
as he learns from the Bible, "what man is to believe concern-
ing God and what duty God requires of man."

The Emancipation proclamation thus affected the des-
tiny of more persons than the Declaration of Independence,
and it marks the beginning of the era of universal freedom ;
when all the people could unite in saying, America is the
"land of the free," as well as the "home of the brave." It
also effected national unity, by completely removing the
one great cause of previous political dissension. It pre-
pared the way for America to be the home of a happy and
united people, knowing no north or south, east or west. In
these great facts of national importance there are found
good reasons for the annual observance of Emancipation
day, as a legal holiday, as well as the anniversary of the
Declaration of Independence.

XXXVII

THE APIARY

"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; which gathereth her
food in the harvest; consider her ways and be wise."

— Solomon.

l^^x^^/fJHE Oak Hill apiary consists of twenty or
\[ more colonies, and their annual yield of

comb honey ranges from 300 to 500 pounds.
It was started with two colonies in the sum-
mer of 1905. These were obtained by the
superintendent and H. C. Shoals, from two hollow trees in
the timber near Red river, and were what are known as
"wild bees." They and their comb were placed in movable
comb Langstroth hives, and the native queens were soon
afterwards replaced by two pretty yellow Italian queens, ob-
tained by mail from Little Rock. By this means the two
colonies of wild bees, in the fall of the year, had become
golden Italians.

A DOUBLE SWARM

On a pretty warm day in March, 1910, when the locust
trees in the campus were in full bloom, two swarms of bees
left their hives about the same time, and both clustered on
the low, branching limbs of a small plum tree. After tak-
ing a photo of this unusual sight, Miss Weimer and Clar-
ence Peete, who is standing behind the tree, each using a
tin cup, gently lifted the bees from the limbs of the tree and
placed them in a hive so arranged, that instead of destroy-
ing one of the queens, the bees naturally separated into two

(294)

THE APIARY
Orchard and Swarm-Sack at left

STANCHIONS FOR CALVES
Ora feeding them with pleasure and profit

[294]

THE HEN HOUSE; OPEN FRONT, SEMI-MONITOR ROOF

PIG PEN; MANY CONVENIENCES

THE APIARY 295

clusters around their respective queens. On the following
morning, the swarm intended for Clarence was lifted out by
him and put in a separate hive. The operations of hiving
and separating the swarms were very successfully per-
formed, without either of them receiving a single sting, and
in the fall both colonies had a good supply of surplus
honey. As an inducement to the young people to learn to
manage bees profitably, a colony was presented to those
who undertook the responsibility of caring for them at
the Academy.

The first frost in the fall of the year indicates the
time to remove the surplus honey from the hives ; and to
cut a bee-tree merely for its supply of honey and wax. April
and May however, are the months to transfer colonies from
boxes and hollow trees to movable comb hives, so as to
save the "bee."

A MODEL HOG HOUSE

The following description of the hog house is given
for the benefit of students and patrons. It was intended to
be a model in the arrangement of every part and it is yet
unsurpassed in the number of its conveniences. It was built
in 1906 and is 24 by 32 feet.

An entry, four feet wide, extends through the length of
the building and the pens, with outlots, are arranged on
each side. The drip boards of the troughs are arranged
along each side of this entry making them easy to fill with-
out wetting the stock or pen. The floors intended for litter
are further protected from dampness, by being elevated one
inch from the rear to a line parallel with the trough, and
about two feet from it. The litter is held on this elevated
part of the floor by a guard, 2x4 inches, around its edge.
Hanging partitions separate the entry from the pens. Fat

296 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

hogs are easily and quickly loaded, by merely lifting the par-
titions and driving them through the entry into the open
end of a wagon box, placed at the rear end of the entry.

It has a floor over head for receiving the corn from the
field ; husking and sorting it. On this loft there is a bin for
storing the good corn intended for meal, and mouse-proof
boxes for preserving seed corn on the ear until planting
time. There are two hatches, one on each side at the rear
for passing the husks for litter to the pens below. At the
right near the front, there is a shute that conveys the
corn for the pigs to a crib at the right in the first apart-
ment below, from which it is taken at feeding time, by
raising a self-closing lid near the floor. In the corner of
this open apartment there is a large box covered with a
hinged lid for ground feed, and a set of steps to the loft.
Under the stairs, there is an elevator and purifying pump,
that brings up pure and cool water from a brick walled
cistern, underneath the floor of the building, and it has
never gone dry, when used only for the hogs.

OLD LOG HOUSE

The old log house, which remained until 1910 and in
which the school was founded, was for a half century the
largest and best building occupied by the Choctaws in the
south eastern part of their large reservation. During the
period previous to 1860, when it was occupied by Bazeel
Leflore, chief of the Choctaw Nation, its halls and spacious
porches were the favorite places of meetings for the ad-
ministration of tribal affairs, social and religious gatherings.

An Indian graveyard was located a few rods from its
southeast corner. A neat little marble monument still
marks the grave of Narcissa LeFlore, wife of the chief
Bazeel. She died at forty in 1854. Small marble tomb-

THE APIAITi 297

stones, bearing the names of LeFlore and Wilson, mark a
half dozen other graves. One long, unnamed grave is mark-
ed by a broad wall of common rock, three feet high, covered
with one large flag stone.

Chief LeFlore, about the year 1860, located at Good-
land, where he spent the remainder of his days. He left
the log house to be occupied by John Wilson his nephew.
About twenty years later Wilson left it to his son-in-law,
Frank Locke, its last Choctaw occupant. He soon after-
wards left it to Robin Clark, the Choctaw Freedman, from
whom it was obtained in 1884, for the use of the school.

PAINTING

The pretty and attractive appearance of the premises at
Oak Hill was due to a considerable extent to the good work
of the boys that learned to use the brush in painting and
white washing. The following facts are noted as an aid
to them and others.

All the school buildings were painted cream and white.
The materials used were white lead and flaxseed oil, mixed
in the proportion of 15 to 20 pounds of lead to a gallon of oil.
A gallon of the mixture is expected to cover 225 square
feet of surface with two coats. The cream tint, a warm
color, was obtained by mixing a little chrome yellow (and
burnt sienna) with a pint or more of oil and adding as much
of this mixture as was needed to produce the desired tint.

The red paint, used on the farm buildings and large
gates, consisted of Venetian red, a dry paint, and oil, five
to eight pounds of paint to the gallon of oil. A white trim-
mer was used on the face boards of the roof, doors and win-
dows.

The white wash used on the board and pale fences con-
sisted of quick lime slacked under water and gently stirred
during this process. It should be allowed to stand a day
or two before it is used. A pound of salt to the gallon of
quicklime, the salt being first dissolved in water, improves
its wearing quality. A little boiled rice flour improves its
adhesiveness for indoor use.

Skimmed sweet milk, used the day it is mixed, is an
inexpensive substitute for oil in applying Venetian red to old

298 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

gates. One coat will make them look right well for one or
more seasons. Milk however should never be used except to
brighten up some old work for one or two years, and each
gallon should contain three pounds of Portland cement, fre-
quently stirred.

SEED CORN IMPROVED

Large yields of corn are secured only by planting seed
that has vitality sufficient to produce a good ear as well as
a stock. Careful and successful farmers raise and endeavor
to improve their seed from year to year. This may be done
on a small scale as follows:

Select ten good sized, straight rowed, deep-grained ears.
Remove the tips and butts. Shell each ear separately and
plant in separate rows, marked and numbered from one to
ten. As soon as the corn in these rows begins to tassel go
through them every few days and remove the tassel from
every stalk that is not forming an ear; so that the pollen or
tassel dust of the barren stalk may not fall on the silks of
the corn-bearing stalks.

At husking time husk and weigh the yield from each
row or ear of seed separately. Missing hills and barren
stocks indicate a low vitality in the seed-ear and also in the
crop. Select the seed for the next year from the rows that
yield the largest crop.

The yield of the cotton crop can be increased two fold
by gathering the seed at picking time from only the best
fruited stocks.

HEALTH HINTS. Health means a sound mind in a
sound body.

"Know thyself", and remember, that "self-preservation
is the first law of nature."

An open window, day and night, is better than an open
grave.

"Warm sleeping rooms have killed more people, than
ever froze to death."

"A good iron pump, over a well protected well, costs
less than a case of typhoid."

"Wire screens in the windows may keep crape from the
door."

"A fly in the milk often means a member of the family
in the grave."

Work when you work and rest outstretched, when you
rest.

Avoid all sins of the flesh. Overeating and eating in-

PLANTING SWEET POTATOES
Carriers, Droppers and Trowelers

[298]

READY FOR A PULL

H
C/3

E
H

o
o
—

►J

THE APIARY 299

jurious foods or drinks are responsible for many ills of body

and mind. .

He who said, "I am the bread of life," said also, He
that eateth me shall live by me."

Cherish a cheerful, hopeful spirit by reading at least
one promise from the Bible, for meditation, every day.
Learn how to look pleasant, even when you may be feeling
otherwise.

Fix the mind on the virtue to be cultivated rather than
on the vice to be overcome.

If the heart action is sometimes weak, avoid all acts of
over-exertion and sleep on the right side. Avoid snoring,
by breathing through the nose.

Sleep is "nature's sweet restorer." Pure air, pure
water and proper exercise are nature's healthful invigorat-
ors. Use them freely.

HEADACHE. Headaches are due to three causes,
namely, eye-strain, indigestion, and exposures to damp-
ness and cold.

To avoid eye-strain, bathe the eyes frequently with
cool water, and avoid using them intently too long, when
the light is not good, especially in the twilight after sun set.
To avoid the sick headache eat slowly and temperately ; and
drink water frequently both at and between meals. The
ache in the back of the head, caused by exposure to drafts
of air, cold and dampness to the feet, may be relieved by the
application of hot damp cloths to the parts affected, and
warming the feet and limbs until the perspiration is start-
ed. Never use dopes or preparations for headache, pure
sparkling water is always much better.

Hot water, sipped frequently, tends to relieve a cough,
difficult breathing and a weak heart action. Pure air, in-
haled by frequent daily deep breathings, and^out-door ex-
ercise do more for weak lungs than medicines.

CHILLS. A chill is the protest of the liver or lungs
after an exposure one or more days previous, that was not
followed by a proper warming of the feet, especially in the
evening. Sulphate of quinine, a tonic for the stomach, is a
standard remedy for malarial troubles but its use should al-
ways be preceded or accompanied with a tonic for the liver.

SMALLPOX. A mixture consisting of one ounce of r
cream of tartar, and two ounces of sulphur flour, should be
in every home, to be taken a little occasionally as an anti-
dote, and kept as an approved remedy for smallpox.

XXXVIII

THE OAK HILL AID SOCIETY

AND OTHER CONTRIBUTING SOCIETIES AND INDI-
VIDUALS.

THE OAK HILL AID SOCIETY

>N Oct. 30, 1904, during the period of vacancy,
ten persons interested in its continuance
met in the Academy and organized an aid
society, to aid the Freedmen's Board in
maintaining it. Solomon Buchanan and
Samuel Harris took the lead in calling the meeting. James
R. Crabtree served as chairman and Bertha L. Ahrens as
secretary. The others present were Mitchell S. Stewart,
Wilson Clark, S. S. Bibbs, Charles B. Harris and Mrs. J. A.
Thomas. The organization was effected by the election of
M. S. Stewart, president; J. A. Thomas, (absent) secretary;
B. L. Ahrens, treasurer; and Samuel Harris, field secretary:
May 28, 1905, George Shoals was elected president and
S. S. Bibbs, secretary. On June 25th, 1905 a constitution
was adopted, in which its object was stated as follows :

"The aims and object of this society shall be: To help
the Presbyterian Board of Missions for Freedmen ; to raise
the funds required to pay for the land on which the build-
ings are located; to devise ways and means by which the
academy may be directly aided with supplies of food, live
stock and other things, when money cannot be given ; and,
to do what we can, to enlarge its course of study and provide
new departments of industry.

(300)

THE OAK HILL AID SOCIETY 301

"It is understood, that all money raised shall be sent to
the aforesaid Mission Board and be applied by it to the gen-
eral needs of this institution, when no specific object has been
named by this society. It is also understood, that this so-
ciety shall not hinder the aforesaid Board, in its absolute
control of the academy and farm."

The annual membership fee is twenty-five cents, other
offerings being entirely voluntary, each giving, "as the
Lord hath prospered him." The first week in October was
designated, as the time for an annual public meeting, to give
emphasis to the work of the society and solicit free-will
offerings from everybody. Other congregations were re-
quested to form similar organizations, to create a visible
bond of union in the support of the academy.

The first visible result of this lowly organization, found-
ed as a forlorn hope, appeared on the 15th of April 1905,
when at the close of the eloquent appeal of Samuel Harris,
its field secretary, before the Presbytery at Grant, Rev. F.
W. Hawley, the Synodical Missionary of Indian Territory,
challenged all present to unite with him in making a pledge
of support toward the purchase of the land. Heading the
list with a pledge of $10.00, all were surprised to find it
increased, in a few minutes, to $210.00. Two weeks later
Mr. Harris made a similar appeal at Oak Hill, and $45.00
more were pledged. He visited Forest church and received
pledges to the amount of $45.00. George Shoals visited
Bethany church at Parsons, and $15.00 more were pledged,
making the amount pledged, $315.00.

Sam Harris, in the fall of 1905, voluntarily went to
Atoka and had forty-five acres of land allotted to his wife
and four of his children, in order that they might later be
added to the Oak Hill farm ; and the education of his child-

302 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

ren be provided for, at that institution. His death occurred
the next year, and in 1912, the last of these lands were add-
ed to the Oak Hill farm. His children are now enjoying the
privileges of the institution.

He belonged to a generation that could neither read
nor write, and that which he accomplished for Oak Hill
and his needy children during the short period of his co-op-
eration with the superintendent, is but another beautiful il-
lustration of what may be done for a needy and worthy
cause, by one, however unlearned, whose sincere and burning
interest leads him to lend a helping hand and to use the
power of his voice in its behalf.

He had come to appreciate and, before the Presbytery,
emphasized the importance of these three vital facts :

1. The need of a good christian education for all the
members of his own rapidly growing family.

2. The great value of the educational and religious
privileges, and the facilities for industrial training, af-
forded the young people of the colored race at Oak Hill
Academy, located in the very midst of them.

3. The great meaning of the changes, that were taking
place in the country around them since the building of the
railroad, the transition to statehood, the allotment of the
lands to them individually, and the incoming of large num-
bers of white folks from Arkansas, Texas and other sec-
tions; who were founding and building towns, leasing and
occupying the farm lands, gaining control of the business in-
terests of the community ; and thus making it ten fold more
necessary for the young people of the colored race to have
sufficient intelligence to enable them to do their own think-
ing and manage successfully their own business interests, in

THE OAK HILL AID SOCIETY 303

order to avoid the impending doom, of being soon crowded
out of their present homes and possessions.

His burning desire as he often expressed it, was to
bring it to pass, that their children and the generations to
come might rise up and be able to say, "Our Fathers, in
grateful acknowledgement of the inestimable value of the
educational, moral and religious privileges, that the Pres-
byterian Board of Missions had established and so long
maintained, for the benefit of the colored people of that sec-
tion, had contributed the funds, paid for and donated the
lands occupied by the buildings of Oak Hill Industrial Acad-
emy."

The members of his family, in whose names the allot-
ments for Oak Hill were secured, were Catherine, his wife;
Roland (died Nov. 24, 1911), John, Margie and Ellen.

LAND FUNDS CONTRIBUTED

The following is a brief summary of the funds con-
tributed for the purchase of the land at Oak Hill.

Rev. F. W. Hawley, Sam Harris, Bertha L. Ahrens,
Adelia M. Eaton, Wiley Homer, William Butler, R. D. Col-
bert, Malinda A. Hall, Noah S. Alverson, R. E. Flickinger
and Jo Lu Wolcott, each $10.00; Samuel Gladman, W. J.
Starks, S. H. Buchanan, John Richards and Finley Union
Sunday school, Lehigh, per Isabella Monroe, each $5.00;
Virginia Williams, and Matt Brown, each $3.00 ; Simon Fol-
som and Alonza Lewis, $2.50; specials from churches in
Oklahoma, as follows: Anadarko, Bartlesville, Perry and
Vinita, each $2.00 ; Chelsea, $2.50 ; Muskogee and Wagoner,
each $3.00; Oklahoma First, $5.00; Oak Hill $10.00; and
Alva $50.00.

The Oak Hill Aid Society in 1906 gave $39.00; in 1907
$46.00 ; in 1908, $16.00 and in 1910 to 1912, $19.00 ; making
for it $120.00, and altogether $335.00.

This amount covers the cost of the forty acre allotment
of Samuel A. Folsom, on which the Academy and Boy's
Hall are located. This was the first tract purchased, and
it was obtained August 30, 1908, a few days after the Choc-

304 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

taw Freedmen were legally authorized to execute warranty-
deeds.

These facts are worthy of note, since to that extent
they indicate the achievement of that object, for which
Sam Harris plead so earnestly and effectively at Presbytery.

A lady at San Jose, California, gave $200 in 1909, for an
annuity bond to cover tract No. 5, on the Oak Hill plat, con-
taining twenty acres and allotted to Caroline Prince. Bertha
L. Ahrens in 1908 purchased the three fourths inheritance of
three of the heirs of William Shoals, in tract No. 8, contain-
ing thirty acres, that in course of time, it might be included ;
and in 1909 and 1913, R. E. Flickinger donated tract num-
ber 4, containing twenty acres north of the buildings. These
three specials include and cover the 70 acres on section 20,
north of the public road, north of the buildings.

The Oak Hill Women's Missionary society was organ-
ized in October 1906, and at the end of its first year contrib-
uted to Home Missions, Gunnison, Utah, $5.00; and to the
Board of Freedmen, $15.00.

LOCALITY OF DONORS

The following exhibit shows the location of the gener-
ous contributors, who united in furnishing the general ex-
pense funds for the support of the students and furnishing
the Temporary Boy's Hall, as it appeared in the report for
July 1, 1909.

Expense Furnishing

California

Illinois

Iowa

Kansas

Ohio

Oklahoma

New York

Pennsylvania

Total $1166.18 $121.15 $1287.33

DONORS TO THE GENERAL SUPPORT

A record has already been made of those who contrib-
uted toward the purchase of the farm in response to the
appeal through the Oak Hill Aid society. A grateful men-

^und

Boy's Hall

Total

$444.20

$13.41

$457.61

55.00

96.75

5.00

101.75

19.23

12.25

31.48

105.00

117.00

80.49

197.49

5.00

329.00

5.00

334.00

THE OAK HILL AID SOCIETY 305

tion of the Women's and Young People's societies and in-
dividual donors, who contributed to the support and exten-
sion of the general work of the institution, seems eminently
appropriate. They include the following list:

ALABAMA: The Negro in Business by Booker T.
Washington, Tuskeegee.

CALIFORNIA: Alhambra, Dinuba, Rev. H. J. Froth-
ingham, Elsinore; Eureka, Lampoc, Long Beach, Mrs.
0. L. Mason; Los Gatos, Los Angeles, First;
Mrs. Margaret Daniels, Mrs. Archibald ; Central, Mrs. Hiram
Leithead ; Highland Park, Mrs. Kate C. Moody M. D. ; Third,
Mary A. Clark, Boyle Heights, Hollywood, Immanuel, Span-
ish Mission, Carrie E. Crowe, Westminster; Nordhoff, Mar-
garet Daniels; North Ontario, New Monterey, Monte Cito,
Oakland, Mattie Hunter; Orange, Red Bluff, San Diego
First, Mrs. A. W. Crawford; San Jose First and Second,
Mrs. Frances Palmer, Mrs. G. H. Start, Mrs. Mary Langdon ;
Lebanon of San Francisco, San Martin, Santa Barbara, San-
ta Clara, Santa Cruz, Santa Paula, San Louis Obispo ; Upland
Ventura, Watsonville.

COLORADO: Fort Morgan, Gunnison, Timnath.

CONNECTICUT: Miss A. C. Benedict, Waterbury.

ILLINOIS: Cairo; Chicago, Bethany, J. H. Jones,
Leslie Music Company; Fairbury, Mrs. J. J. Pence; Mason
City, Springfield Second.

INDIANA: William Elliot, Lafayette $5,000 for El-
liott Hall; Greensburg, Winona Lake.

IOWA: Alta, Lucy M. Haywood; Boone, Burlington
First, Clarinda, Corning, Corning Presbytery, Crawfords-
ville, Creston, Des Moines Central, Fonda, M. E. Church,
Mrs. A. S. Wood, Adele Curkeet, Adelia M. Eaton, Mrs. R.
E. Flickinger, Geo. Sanborn, Mrs. J. B. Weaver, Mrs. John
E. Jordan, Clark Perry; Fort Dodge, Gilmore City, Mrs.
Bert C. McGinnis, Clarence M. Patterson; Grimes, Ham-
burg, Knoxville, Lenox, Malvern, Manchester, Nodaway,
Princeton, Red Oak, Rockwell City, Ella T. Smith, Elmer E.
Johnson, John H. Mattison; Sanborn, Sigourney, Shenan-
doah, State Center, Storm Lake, Washington, Bethel, Win-
field, Walnut.

KANSAS: Auburn, Burlington, Clay Center, Derby,
Edgerton, Herrington, Halstead, Highland, Humboldt, Junc-
tion City, Kansas City, First, Grand View Park, Western

306 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Highland; Lincoln Center, Lawrence, Lyons, Manhattan,
Morganville, Mulberry Creek, Neodesha, Oakland, Osawat-
omie, Oswego, Phillipsburg, Roxbury, Stanley, Sterling,
Syracuse, Topeka, First, Second, Third and Westminster,
M. B. True; Waverly, Wichita, First.

MASSACHUSETTS: Marblehead, Mrs. J. J. Gregory.

MICHIGAN: Coldwater, Harrington.

MISSOURI: Kansas City, Montgomery Ward & Co.,
Maryville, Prof, J. C. Speckerman; St. Louis, Majestic
Range Co.

NEBRASKA: Beatrice.

NEW YORK: Mexico, Mrs. Mary O. Becker, Mrs.
Mamie G. Richardson; Plattsburg, Mrs. M. D. Edwards;
Honoye, Anna M. Bowerman ; New York, Am. Bible Society,
Oliver Swet Marden.

OHIO: Belief ontaine, Mrs. D. 0. Spade; Columbiana,
Mrs. Mattie C. Flickinger ; Dayton Lorenz Music Co. ; Deni-
son, College Hill, Miss H. M. Wilson; East Liverpool First,
Mansfield, Springfield First, Wellsville First.

OKLAHOMA: Alva, Mrs. H. E. Mason, Anadarko,
Atoka, Annie Osborne, Ardmore, Rev. Charles C. Weith,
Bartlesville, Blackwell; Mrs. Emma F. McBride, Coalgate;
Cement, Central, Cimmaron Presbyterial ; Chickasha, Ed-
mond, Elk City, El Reno, Mrs. F. R. Farrand, Enid, Eagle-
town, Kiamichi Presbyterial; Garvin, Rev. and Mrs. W. H.
and Emma A. Carroll; Hobart, Mrs. Geo. D. Willingham;
Frederick, Griffin, Charity Glover; Granite, Grant, Susan
Seats, Kaw, Kingfisher, MacAlester, Millerton, Ranee Cher-
ry, Joseph Garner ; Muskogee First, Mulhall, Norman, Prof.
Geo. N. Gould; Oklahoma First, Phil C. Baird D. D., Mrs.
W. A. Knott; Okmulgee, Perry, Ponca, Shawnee, Stroud,
Tulsa, Tonkawa, Oak Hill, Valliant, Solomon H. Buchanan,
Dining Table and Chairs, Samuel Folsom, Front Door of
Elliot Hall, Lucretia C. Brown Communion Service, Bertha
L. Ahrens, Adelia M. Eaton, John Claypool, Malinda A. Hall,
R. E. and Mary A. Flickinger; Vinita, Wagoner, Watonga.

NORTH DAKOTA: Fillmore, Mary I. Weimer.

PENNSYLVANIA: Armagh, Bakerstown, Black Lick,
Blairsville First, Blairsville Presbyterial, Braddock, First
and Calvary; Buelah, Coatesville, E. Lilley; Cresson, Con-
gruity, Derry, Doe Run, Easton, College Hill, Brainard and

THE OAK HILL AID SOCIETY

307

South Side; East Liberty, Ebensburg, Greensburg, First
and Westminster; Anna B. Hazleton, Irwin, Jeanette, Lat-
robe, Ligonier, Johnstown, First, Second and Laurel Ave-
nue; Lewistown, Manor, McGinnis, Murraysville, Philadel-
phia, Lena D. Fieber and Prof, H. W. Flickinger; Pittsburg,
First and Second, Ellen M. Watson, Mary R. Scott; Port
Royal, Parnassus, Pleasant Grove, Poke Run, Plum Creek,
New Alexandria, New Kensington, South Danville, Mrs. W.
A. Reagel; Turtle Creek, Westmont Chapel, Wilkinsburg,
Martha Graham, Mrs. J. J. Campbell, Williamsburg, Wind-
ber and Windsor.

SOUTH DAKOTA : Volga, Hartford, Mrs. M. E. Crowe.

TEXAS : Bushy Creek, Mary A. Pierson, Crockett, Mrs.
John B. Smith.

XXXVI X

TRIBUTES TO THE WORKERS

AHRENS. — EATON. — CLAYPOOL. — WEIMER. — WOLCOTT.
—HALL. — DONALDSON. — BUCHANAN.

"Our lives are songs, God writes the words,
And we set them to music at pleasure ;
And the song grows glad, sweet, or sad
As we choose to fashion the measure."

MARY A. FLICKINGER

N^^^J/fJRS. Flickinger is gratefully remembered for
J\ y[ five years of untiring service as assistant
superintendent.

The sphere of her observation and sug-
gestion included all the women's work in the
buildings, occupied by the students, and the special care of
the garden and Boy's Hall. In connection with this daily
oversight, there was always manifested a feeling of personal
responsibility, to carry to completion at the end of the day,
any unfinished work, that would otherwise prevent some of
the larger girls from enjoying the privileges of the school,
during the evening study hour.

Trained in her youth to execute speedily all the kinds
of work, usually required on a well arranged farm, and also
as a sewer and nurse, she proved a very valuable helper.
She became the home physician, administering the med-
icines and caring for the sick. Her method of treatment in-
cluded the prevention of some of the milder, but common

(308)

TRIBUTES TO THE WORKERS 309

forms of disease, by the regular administration of some in-
expensive antidotes. These two principles were frequently
expressed: "Self-preservation is the first law of nature,"
and "Prevention is better than cure." The young people
were also encouraged to learn, how to keep and intelligently
use, a few simple remedies in the home.

She and her husband are both natives of Port Royal,
Juniata county, Pa., and their marriage occurred there, June
20,1878. They have filled pastorates at Doe Run, Pa., Wal-
nut, and Fonda, Iowa. They raised the funds and secured
the erection of churches at Marne, Fonda, Pomeroy and Var-
ina, Iowa; and a commodious parsonage at Fonda. He has
served as a trustee of Corning Academy, Buena Vista college
and of the Presbytery of Fort Dodge ; stated clerk and treas-
urer of the latter twelve and a half years, and as Moderator
of the Synod of Iowa, at Washington in 1901 ; and by special
request, as author of the Pioneer History of Pocahontas
county, Iowa, in 1904. Mrs. Flickinger in her youth became
a teacher in the Sunday school, and during all the years that
have followed, has been an efficient and aggressive so-
licitor and teacher of the children, in that important depart-
ment of the work of the church.

She has ever manifested an unusual degree of energy,
always preferring to do all her own home work, rather than
have it done by others. One who enjoyed the privilege of
witnessing her unflagging energy and enthusiastic devo-
tion to her work, rising early and working late, at a time
when she was supposed to be unable to do more than take
care of herself, paid to her this friendly compliment: "You
work with the untiring industry of a bee, the patient per-
severance of a beaver, the overcoming strength of a lion,
and the double quickness of a deer."

310 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Her liberal responses to the calls of the needy have
been limited only by her ability to work, save and give.

BERTHA LOUISE AHRENS

"I'll praise my Maker with my breath ;
And when my voice is lost in death,
Praise shall employ my nobler powers."

— The Psalmist.

Bertha Louise Ahrens (B. Feb. 26, 1857), missionary
teacher among the Choctaw Freedmen of Indian Territory
since 1885, and principal teacher at Oak Hill Academy,,
1905-1911, is a native of Berlin, Prussia. Her parents, Ot-
to and Augusta Ahrens, in 1865, when she was 8, and a
brother Otto 5, came to America and located on a farm near
Sigourney, Iowa, after one year at Bellville, 111.; and four,
at Harper, Iowa. The schools and churches first attended
used the German language. Her first studies in English
were in the graded schools at Sigourney and here at seven-
teen, she became a member of the Presbyterian church
under the pastorate of Rev. S. G. Hair. He loaned her some
missionary literature to read and it awakened a desire on
her part to become a missionary. This desire was express-
ed to the Women's Missionary society of the church and
she was encouraged to attend the Western Female Semin-
ary, now college, at Oxford, Ohio. After a course of study
at this institution she enjoyed a year's training in the
Bible school connected with Moody's Chicago Avenue
church, Chicago.

During the next year, after hearing in her home town
an appeal in behalf of a Negro school in the south, she was
led to offer her services to the Presbyterian Board of Mis-
sions for Freedmen. In December 1885, she received a
commission with request to locate among the Choctaw

TRIBUTES TO THE WORKERS 311

Freedmen at Lukfata, in the southeast part of Indian Ter-
ritory. The route at that early date was quite circuitous.
Going south through Kansas City over the M. K. T. Ry., to
Denison, Texas, she passed eastward by rail to Bells, through
Paris to Clarksville, Texas; and thence northward forty
miles to Wheelock and Lukfata. Clarksville, south of Red
river continued to be the nearest town and station during
the next ten years.

She has now completed twenty-eight years of contin-
uous and faithful service as a missionary teacher among
the Freedmen. During these years she has served the fol-
lowing communities and churches.

Lukfata, Mount Gilead 11 years 1885-1896.

Fowlerville, Forest 3 years 1896-1899.

Goodland, Hebron 1 year 1899-1900.

Grant, Beaver Dam 4 years 1900-1904.

Valliant, Oak Hill Academy 6i/ 2 years 1904-1911.

Beaver Dam 1 year 1911-1912.

Wynnewood, Bethesda Mission 2 years 1912-1914.

She is now serving as principal teacher in the Bethesda
Home and School, located three miles northeast of Wynne-
wood in the Chickasaw Nation. This school was opened
Nov. 1, 1899. It was founded by Carrie and Clara Boles and
others ; and its obect is to provide a home and christian edu-
cation to the orphan and homeless youth of the colored peo-
ple.

Miss Ahrens has been a life long and conscientious
Christian worker, among the Freedmen of the Choctaw Na-
tion. Her name is a household word to all of them. She
found it necessary from the first to locate as a lonely teach-
er among them in territorial days, and share with them the
unusual privations, incident to a life of such seclusion and

312 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

unselfish devotion. During the first fifteen years, she had
to live alone in little, rudely constructed huts in a sparsely
settled timber country, where quarrels and murders, among
both the Indians and colored people, were events of common
and almost annual occurrence; yet she never thought of
leaving her work or forsaking her mission on account of per-
sonal danger.

The following is an accurate description of the little
hut she occupied three years while at Forest church. It was
built of saplings, eight feet square and chinked with mud.
It had a fire place, an opening eighteen inches square for
light, and another one for entrance, that was about three
inches lower than her height. The chimney was built of
mud, so small and crooked that only a part of the smoke
could be induced to go up it, on a windy day. The blind for
closing the window opening was so open, it merely broke the
force of the wind, it could not keep it out, nor the lamp from
blowing out. The little door left similar openings above and
below it. On windy days the smoke found its way out
through these and other openings overhead. These condi-
tions after a while were relieved, by the insertion of a win-
dow in the opening, and covering the walls of the room with
sheets.

The floor space was fully occupied, when it was sup-
plied with a bed, trunk, sewing machine, book case, table
and one chair. It lacked room for the organ, which had to
be kept in the chapel.

There was no porch, and into this little room the child-
ren on Sabbath afternoons would crowd to sing, standing
until they grew weary, and then sitting on the floor. This
rude and lonely hut was located about one fourth of a mile
from the church. Near it was another and larger one-room

TRIBUTES TO THE WORKERS 313

cabin, having a porch, that was occupied by a good elder of
the church, his wife and a family of six children.

The school rooms, that she had to occupy, in order to
fulfil her mission, though the best the colored people could
afford, were also of the rudest sort. It was a difficult task,
to make them look within like tidy temples of knowledge.

Her work was also very elementary. As the pupils
would advance and their work become interesting, they
would drop out of school. Yet it never occurred to her the
work was wearisome, because it was monotonous and often
disappointing. If experiences were disappointing, or the
day, gloomy, there remained to her the Bible, with its prec-
ious and unchanging promises; and the organ, responsive. as
ever to the touch of her hand. These were home com-
forts, that enabled her to forget the trials and burdens of
each day, before its close.

Her work as a teacher has been increasingly attrac-
tive. The secret of this unflagging and ever increasing in-
terest, is found in the large place, given the Bible in all her
teaching work. It has been a daily text book in the school
room. On the Sabbath, her opportunity to read and ex-
plain it to all the people of the community, as superinten-
dent of the Sunday school, has been even greater than that
of some of the ministers in charge, when the latter was only
a monthly visitor, while she served faithfully every Sab-
bath.

The world is needing the light of Bible truth. It is life
giving. "Go teach," is as urgent as the commission, "Go
preach." The opportunity to supply the world's great need,
with the life giving Word of God, is an inspiration to the
consecrated christian teacher.

314 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

She has felt this inspiration, and has become a very
capable interpreter and practical expositor of the Bible. She
has been well equipped to lead the people in song, and. has
received many evidences of the highest appreciation of her
work, as a Bible instructor.

Though not possessing what might be termed a rugged
constitution, she has never lost a week, at any one time,
from the school room on account of illness. She has been
free to express the desire to continue to labor, as a faithful
and efficient teacher, among the Freedmen as long as her
strength will permit. Ruth expressed her sentiments, when
she said to Naomi :

"Entreat me not to leave thee; where thou lodgest I
will lodge; Thy people shall be my people and thy God my
God."

She has been a true missionary hero. She has been
willing to work in one of the most solitary places, for the
lowliest of people, without the ordinary comforts of home
and friends. Whilst her Bible work has been continued
through the entire years, with but two exceptions, her in-
come — a mere pittance — has been limited to the terms of
school. This has made necessary very close economy in per-
sonal expenses, but has not prevented liberal offerings to
promote the work of the church. Her seclusion, priva-
tions and dangers, during the first fifteen years, were as
great as of many of those, who have gone to the remote
parts of the earth. The heroic spirit of Martin Luther,
translator of the German Bible she learned to read in youth,
has always proved a source of great inspiration, to be faith-
ful and courageous. When he was warned of the danger of
martyrdom at Worms, where he had been summoned for
trial for declaring the plain words of the Bible, he bravely

TRIBUTES TO THE WORKERS 315

said, "Were they to make a fire that would extend from
Worms to Wittemberg, and reach even to the sky, I would
walk across it, in the name of the Lord, I would appear be-
fore them and confess the Lord Jesus Christ." And a little
later, "Were there as many devils (cardinals) in Worms, as
there are tiles upon the roofs, I would enter," for the Elect-
or had promised him a safe conduct. When he arrived at
Worms and stood before his accusers, he finally said: "Here
I am, I neither can, nor will retract anything. I cannot do
otherwise; God help me." These noble and courageous
words of Luther are well adapted, to prove an inspiration to
every one that reads them.

Her courage has led and kept her in the place of priv-
ilege and duty. Her faithfulness and devotion have en-
abled her to win the confidence and esteem of all who have
come within the sphere of her acquaintance and friendship.
She continues to pursue her chosen and loved employment,
of serving as a missionary teacher among the Freedmen of
Indian Territory, now Oklahoma, in the spirit of the
Psalmist.

"My days of praise shall ne'er be past,
While life, and thought, and being last,
Or immortality endures."

ADELIA M. EATON

The superintendent, teachers, students and friends of
Oak Hill were called upon to sustain a great loss and ex-
perience a deep sorrow, as the sun was setting, on June 5,
1908, when Adelia M. Eaton, our highly esteemed matron,
after three and one half years of unusually efficient ser-
vice, and a brief illness of one week after the end of the
term, peacefully and trustfully passed from the scene of
her faithful missionary labors, to the enjoyment of her eter-

316 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

nal reward. Her illness, which terminated with heartfail-
ure, seemed to be the outcome of a weariness that ensued
after rendering some voluntary but needed services for the
comfort of others.

She was the second daughter of Harvey Eaton, one of
the hardy, prosperous pioneer farmers of Pocahontas coun-
ty, Iowa, She grew to womanhood on the farm, where she
learned to be industrious and earnest.

She early became identified with the work in the Pres-
byterian church and Sunday school at Fonda where she re-
ceived her first training in christian work. After enjoying
a four years' course at Buena Vista college, Storm Lake, as-
sociated with her elder sister, she spent four years in mer-
cantile pursuits in Sioux City and Fonda. All of these prev-
ious employments and experiences seemed to be parts of a
varied training, to fit her most fully, for the position she
filled as a missionary teacher at the Academy. In the man-
agement of the affairs of this institution, her responsibili-
ties and duties made her the executive helper of the super-
intendent. Here she found responsiblities and opportun-
ities, that called forth all her noblest powers, and enabled
her to make it the most highly useful and crowning period
of her life.

She naturally possessed an attractive personality. She
was tall, slender and erect in form, very prompt, dignified
and graceful in movement. Her countenance indicated intel-
ligence, energy and culture. She had a good voice for public
address, possessed rare executive ability and was so gentle
in manner that obedience to her commands was accorded
with pleasure and delight. Though never unmindful of her
resources, she never manifested any pride, save that which
every truly noble soul manifests in the quality of its work,

TRIBUTES TO THE WORKERS 317

by putting forth a constant effort to perform every duty in
the most thorough and efficient manner.

She was a happy, willing worker. The key note of her
work as a teacher seemed to be the one expressed in the
words : "My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me and
to finish his work." John 4, 34. Although she had many
other important duties on that day, she was always present
at the services on the Sabbath. The memory of the living
will not soon forget the personal interest she manifested in
the spiritual welfare of every member of her large class of
older students in the Sunday school, her tender and affec-
tionate appeals to the young people at the Endeavor meet-
ings, her interesting and instructive addre'sses at institutes
and conventions, and how she voluntarily lingered to ex-
tend friendly greetings at the close of the church services.

The call, to engage in this educational work among the
Freedmen in Indian Territory, came to her at an unexpect-
ed, but opportune time. When the need for her services and
desire for her co-operation were stated, she immediately gave
her assent to make a trial of the work for a term of three
months. As the work progressed her interest in it increas-
ed, and she became more firmly attached to it. Her affec-
tions, interest and ambitions seemed to be transferred to
the people and work at the Academy. Her attachment and
devotion to this work was as remarkable as it was unexpect-
ed. This was the secret of the unusual merit of the service
rendered. In this new sphere of usefulness, she found a
field of opportunity that afforded full scope for the exercise,
of all her intellectual, moral and spiritual powers, and, en-
gaging in this work with all the enthusiasm of her noble
nature, she rendered a continuous service so faithful and

318 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

efficient, as to call forth heartfelt appreciation and words
of highest commendation.

MRS. JOHN CLAYPOOL

Mrs. John Claypool, matron 1908-9, the successor of
Adelia Eaton, came from membership in the class of Mrs.
A. W. Crawford of the First Presbyterian church of San
Diego, California. Her work is gratefully remembered for
its uniform faithfulness and efficiency, and the sweet benef-
icent influence exerted by the noble womanhood and man-
hood of herself and husband, previously employed in a
bank, who also came and remained with her at the institu-
tion. Through the aid of the latter, the profit on the poul-
try was greater that year, than in any other. The garden
that year was greatly enlarged and surrounded with a new
fence. He nailed the pales on the panels and they remain
as a memento of his interest and handiwork. The fact that
she represented one of the churches giving most loyal and
liberal support to the Academy, and was thus a living link
connecting the work of the institution with the many
friends, supporting it on the Pacific Coast, gave to her work
an additional charm that was greatly appreciated. They
are now living in Texas.

MARY I. WEIMER

Mary I. Weimer, who served as matron 1909 to 1911,
a native of Port Royal, Pa., came to Oak Hill from Knox, in
the Devils Lake Region of North Dakota; where, after a
course of preparation at the state teachers college at Fargo,
she achieved an unusual degree of success, both as a teacher
and manager of affairs on the farm. These interests pre-
vented her from coming the previous year when first solic-
ited.

TRIBUTES TO THE WORKERS 319

At the Academy she rendered a service so efficient and
faithful as to merit the gratitude of all. After the loss of
the Girls' Hall, which occurred during her first year, when
all of its occupants were deprived of comfortable quarters,
the fear was entertained she would want to be excused
from further service. Instead of pursuing this course she
became one of our best counselors and helpers in the effort
to provide for the comfort of herself and the girls, and keep
the latter from returning home at that critical period.

The superintendent will never cease to be grateful for
her favorable decision at this trying hour, and the self-
denial she voluntarily proposed to undergo, in order to
make it possible, to continue the work of the institution. It
was the period when Mrs. Flickinger was a helpless invalid
at Fonda, patiently awaiting the return of her husband, with
daily anxiety. He could not leave, however, until the cellar
excavation and concrete walls of the building had been
completed. This done, Samuel Folsom was ready to serve
as foreman of the carpenters, in the erection of the new
building, and it fell to the lot of Miss Weimer, to serve as
general manager, in the absence of the superintendent. The
situation was one, that required unusual courage, as well as
prudence and self-control. Her heroism was equal to the
call to duty. Loyalty and faithfulness were her constant
watchwords.

At the end of the next term in 1911, she found it nec-
essary to give her personal attention anew to the interests
of her own home and farm. She enjoys the distinction of
having served as matron, the last year in the Girls' Hall
and the first one in Elliott Hall. She is gratefully remem-
bered by all, who became the subjects of her daily care and
domestic training.

320 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

MISS JO LU WOLCOTT
Miss Jo Lu Wolcott, matron, February to June, 1912,
was a daughter of the late Dr. Wolcott of Chandler, Okla.
She has had considerable experience as a teacher in the pub-
lic schools of Kansas and Oklahoma, and in the government
school for the Indians at Navaho Falls, Colorado. She is
now serving as a teacher in an Indian school in South Da-
kota.

MALINDA A. HALL

Malinda A. Hall rendered six years of faithful and ef-
ficient service as assistant matron, and teacher. Having
completed the grammar course at Oak Hill in 1900, and
then a four years course at Ingleside Seminary in Vir-
ginia, she was well prepared for the work at the Academy,
and proved a very reliable and valuable helper. She was
capable and always willing, when requested, to supply any
vacancy occurring among the other helpers. She enjoyed
good health, and never lost a day from illness. Her strength
and energy enabled her to execute promptly and efficiently,
every work entrusted to her. Her work throughout was
characterized by a never failing promptness, faithfulness
and energy. She was familiar with the needs and traits of
her people, was thoroughly devoted to the promotion of their
best interests, and her suggestions were always gratefully
received. The ability and enthusiasm of her work, as the
teacher of a large class in the Sunday school and leader of
the young people in their Endeavor meetings, will never be
forgotten by those, who came within the sphere of her voice
and influence.

Since her marriage in 1911 to William Stewart she
has been devoting her time and attention to the improve-
ment of their home on the farm near Valliant. She is need-

TRIBUTES TO THE WORKERS 321

ed on the farm, but the thought lingers, that there continues
to be a great need for her services in the educational work
among her people.

Miss Hall's exploits, as a sharpshooter with her own
gun, during her first year as a teacher at Oak Hill, indicate
her responsiveness to the spirit of chivalry, that prevailed
among the people during the period of her youth.

One day in the spring of the year, while hunting eggs
in the second story of the old log house, she discovered a
large snake on one of the rafters over her head. Hastening
quietly to her own room for a gun, she brought the snake
to the floor with the first shot. It measured over four feet
in length, was dark in color and was of the kind, that eats
eggs and chicks, commonly called a chicken snake. She al-
so, at the request of Mrs. Flickinger, stunned a small beef,
that they together butchered, at a time the superintendent
was absent.

MARY A DONALDSON

When Carrie E. Crowe was called away in January
1906, the place was rather reluctantly assumed but very
acceptably filled by Mrs. Sarah L. Wallace of Fairhope, Ala-
bama. After two months she also was called away. The
place was then filled by Mary A. Donaldson of Paris, Texas.
She had been an attendant at the first Oak Hill Normal, in
1905, and then became a missionary teacher at Grant. At-
tendance at the Normal led to her recognition, both at
Grant and Oak Hill. After teaching several years she pur-
sued another course of training at New Orleans and has
become a professional nurse.

322 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

SOLOMON H. BUCHANAN

"He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful/'
Solomon H. Buchanan is a native of Glen Rose, Somer-
vell Co., Texas. At the age of eight he was bereft of both
of his parents, and those, into whose care he drifted, were
not willing he should learn a letter. By some means he at-
tracted the favorable notice of Miss Mary A. Pearson, a
missionary of our Home Mission Board. Furnishing him the
funds for the trip, she sent him at the age of 18 in 1903, to
Oak Hill Academy with request to become an earnest Chris-
tian teacher. At the Academy Mrs. Mary R. Scott of Pitts-
burgh became his teacher. She taught him his letters and
first lessons in spelling and reading, giving him consider-
able time and attention, while the other boys were play-
ing. Perceiving his special fondness for music, she taught
him the chords on the piano, and thus gave him a start on
that noble instrument, which has ever since been his fav-
orite.

He has always found the study of books a rather dif-
ficult task, owing to the lack of early training in them ; but
he has proved a good student and a very valuable helper at
the Academy. The longing desire to become a capable and
successful teacher, has kept him there, amid all the changes
that have occurred since his arrival in 1903. He has now
acquired an unusual degree of skill as a performer on the
piano and his enthusiastic accompaniments on that noble
instrument contributed greatly to the pleasure and delight
of the work at the Academy. He has become an earnest
worker in the Sunday school and endeavor meetings. He
has a strong voice for song or public address, and has be-
come an excellent leader of religious meetings. He served
one year as an assistant teacher at the Academy. He has

TRIBUTES TO THE WORKERS 323

proved himself a very efficient and valuable helper at the
Academy, always looking after the entertainment of vis-
itors.

In 1912 he was ordained an elder of the Oak Hill church
and in May of that year was sent as one of the commission-
ers of the Presbytery of Kiamichi, to the general assembly
at Louisville, Ky. Through the courtesy of Rev. E. G. Hay-
maker, he spent the summer of 1903 at Winona Lake, Ind.
He is now serving, as superintendent of the farm work and
musical instructor, at the Bethesda Home and school at
Wynnewood, Okla.

The boy who wins is,

"Not the one who says, 'I can't';
Nor the one who says, 'Don't care;'
Not the boy who shirks his work,
Nor the one who plays unfair.
But the one who says, 'I can',
And the one who says, 'I will;'
He shall be the noble man,
He the place of trust will fill."

STUDENT WORKERS

These tributes to worthy workers seem incomplete,
without some reference to the faithful co-operation of some
of the young people, who, making rapid progress in their
studies and industrial training, during the later years of
this period, and serving efficiently as workers, foremen and
occasional teachers, made possible the large amount of im-
provement work necessary to overcome the losses sustained.
The memory recalls the names of the following students,
whose responsible and efficient co-operation was thus
worthy of grateful mention.

Occasional Teachers and Leaders: Paul Thornton,
Vina Jones, Delia Clark*, Isabella Monroe, Ruby Moore*,

*Deceased.

324 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Virginia Wofford, Sarah Milton, Celestine Seats, Solomon
Buchanan, Riley Flournoy, Clarence and Herbert Peete.

Carpenters and Cement Workers: David Folsom*,
Solomon Burris, Louis and Alvin Pitchlin, Isaiah Nelson,
Clarence Peete, Noah Alverson, Riley Flournoy, Fred and
Percy McFarland, Thomas Wilson, George Hollingsworth,
Frank Dickson, Ashley and Alonza McLellan and Brown
Gaffony.*

Painters: Solomon Buchanan, Frank Dickson, John
Black, Eugene Perry, Wesley Lewis, Herbert Peete and
Cornell Smith.

Farmers and Trustworthy Teamsters : James Stewart,
James Burris, James Richards, Dee McFarland, Robert
Johnson, Robert Maxie, S. S. Bibbs, and Everett Richards.

*Deceased.

CLOSING DAY, 1912

ELLIOTT HALL DEDICATED. — CONCERT. — RESOLUTIONS.—
STUDENTS AFFECTION. — FAREWELL NOTE.

>HE following account, of the closing day of
our last term of school, is taken from the
last issue of the Oak Hill Freedman's
Friend, a news-letter, intended to promote
the interests of the Academy, and sent to
its patrons and friends as a quarterly at first, but later as
an annual, from February 1905, to September 1912.

CLOSING DAY, 1912

June 13, 1912, was a day of unusual interest. It was
the last day of the last term of school, under the manage-
ment of the superintendent, and the contemplation of this
fact frequently suggested a thought of sadness, since it
meant the last meeting with many friends and co-workers.

It was also the second day set for the dedication of El-
liott Hall, and the third day announced for a visit and ad-
dress by Rev. Phil C. Baird, D. D.,pastor of the First Pres-
byterian church of Oklahoma City. His leading and unus-
ually happy participation in the events of the day, made his
visit and services on this occasion thrice welcome and valu-
able.

At 2:00 p. m. Dr. Baird delivered the principal address
to a large and very appreciative audience in the Academy.
He chose for his theme, The Essentials of Success ; and em-

(325)

326 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

phasized these three, namely "Labor, purpose and persever-

ance."

ELLIOTT HALL DEDICATED

At the close of the address of Dr. Baird, the meeting
was transferred to the cozy and spacious front porch of El-
liott Hall.

The story of the Hall as a grateful and permanently
useful memorial of the late Alice Lee Elliott, and the gen-
erous gift of $5,000.00 on the part of her surviving husband,
David Elliott of Lafayette, Indiana, now at Minneapolis,
Minn., was briefly related by the superintendent. Rev. W. H.
Carroll reported that voluntary offerings to the amount of
$29.48 had that day been donated toward the expense of fur-
nishing the two bath rooms. The prayer of dedication was
offered by Rev. Wiley Homer of Grant, who has been a
faithful annual visitor and constant guardian of the good
name and welfare of the institution ever since it was found-
ed in 1886. The benediction was pronounced by Rev. P. S.
Meadows of Shawneetown, moderator of the Presbytery of
Kiamichi.

CLOSING CONCERT

The program provided for the evening consisted of a
vocal and instrumental concert by the students, such as had
been given, with one exception, at the close of each term.
Several of the selections, rendered as full choruses, were
from Leslie's Ideal Class, the music book most frequently
used by the superintendent in the training work of note read-
ing and vocal culture. They included the anthems, "Break
forth into Joy," "I was Glad," by I. B. Woodbury, "Before
Jehovah's Throne," and patriotic Glees, "Hail to the Flag,"
"Now a Mighty Nation," and "Unfurl the Sail."

DLOSING DAY, 1912 327

When the time arrived to announce the closing chorus,
the superintendent, after expressing appreciation of the fact
there were present so many ministers of the Presbytery,
patrons and friends; and gratitude for their constant co-
operation, then made known to them, for the first time, the
fact that several months previous he had tendered his resig-
nation to the Board of Missions for Freedmen, and that in
due season, Rev. W. H. Carroll, the principal, would be pro-
moted to fill the vacancy, when it occurred.

After hearing these announcements, every minister
present manifested a des?re to participate in the meeting, by
bearing voluntary testimony to the good work that had been
done at the Academy under the leadership of the superinten-
dent. Rev. Dr. Baird was the first speaker, and he acted as a
leader or chairman during this temporary interruption of
the program. He bore testimony to his previous knowledge
of the faithfulness and administrative ability of the sup-
erintendent, and his pleasant surprise at the results achieved
at this institution. Grateful tributes to the efficiency of his
work, as superintendent of the Academy, were then ex-
pressed by Rev. Wiley Homer of Grant, Rev. T. K. Bridges
of Lukfata, Rev. P. S. Meadows and Rev. W. H. Carroll.

Rev. W. J. Starks of Frogville read and presented for
adoption the appreciative resolutions that follow:

Their unanimous adoption by a rising vote was im-
mediately followed by a general waving of handkerchiefs, a
touching expression of good wishes and parting cheer.

RESOLUTIONS

Whereas the Rev. R. E. Flickinger, our beloved super-
intendent and friend, has announced his resignation as sup-
erintendent of Oak Hill Industrial Academy, now Alice Lee
Elliott School; and whereas such resignation has come to
us at a very unexpected time; We, citizens of the neigh-

328 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

borhood, patrons, students and teachers of the Academy,
and members present of the Presbytery of Kiamichi, do here-
by unite in adopting the following resolutions :

First. That the announcement of his resignation
brings to us profound grief and disappointment, as it takes
from among us a friend and brother bound to us by many
unusual and lasting ties.

Second. That we lose in Rev. R. E. Flickinger, the
founder of the new and the real Oak Hill Industrial Institu-
tion, through the accomplishment of the following achieve-
ments, during his administration:

When he re-opened the doors of this academy seven
and a half years ago, it had been closed for the year, and
for months there seemed to be but little prospect it would
be opened again. The evidences of neglect, decay and deser-
tion were manifest on every hand. Under his magic hand
the school was re-opened, only a few students were enrolled
the first term, but the piles of rubbish in every corner, and
underbrush began to disappear, and one of the buildings was
neatly painted by the boys. At this time the Board did not
own the land on which the buildings were located. After the
removal of the restrictions in 1908, the title to one small
tract was promptly secured by purchase. A dozen other
adjoining little tracts have since been added to this first one,
as their purchase became possible and at their virgin price ;
so that now there belongs to this school, as a means of pro-
moting its local support, the magnificent domain of 270 acres
of beautiful and valuable tillable lands of which about one-
third is now cleared, enclosed and under cultivation.

"Enlargement and Permanent Improvement," became
the watchwords of progress, when the title to the second
tract was secured. Upon this stable material basis there
has been systematically organized and developed an import-
ant Industrial institution, where boys and girls are trained
not only in the great fundamentals of the best intellectual
and moral culture, but also in the essential industrial arts
of life.

The accomplishment of these results has cost the sup-
erintendent an indescribable amount of toil and labor. His
great staying powers and ingenuity were taxed to their ut-
most, when, in quick succession, the two largest buildings
were suddenly destroyed by unexpected fires, that left noth-
ing but ashes and discouraged friends. The testimony that
he has proved himself capable of overcoming these stag-
gering losses appears in the temporary Boys Hall an addi-

CLOSING DAY, 1912 329

tion to the Academy building after the first fire in 1908, and
in the large and commodious new building, bearing the name
"Elliott Hall" of which he enjoys the honor of having been
its architect and builder, through the labors of the students
and the teachers of the academy ; and, in this creditable stu-
dent body of well trained young people.

Third. In grateful recognition of his unusual patience
and perseverance, his unceasing toil and never failing inter-
est, his self denying generosity and for his noble, manly ex-
emplary christian life, we tender to him our heartfelt last-
ing gratitude; and, enrolling his name among the worthy
founders of Oak Hill Industrial Academy, shall enshrine it
as one to be given to children's children, as the educator and
organizer, who infused new life into this institution and
greatly enlarged the scope of its work.

Fourth. That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the
Board of Freedmen, to the Interior, The Valliant Tribune
and the Times, Fonda, Iowa.

PHIL. C. BAIRD,

Chairman of Meeting.

A TOKEN OF AFFECTION AND REGARD FROM THE

STUDENTS
Dear Superintendent:

I have been requested by the boys of this institution,
to offer you a slight token of our affection and regard. I
cannot tell you how delighted I am to be the means of con-
veying to you this expression of our united love. What we
offer you is a poor symbol of our feelings, but we know you
will receive it kindly as a simple indication of the attach-
ment, which each one of us cherishes for you in our hearts.

You have made our days and months pleasant to us. We
know that we have often tried your patience and forbear-
ance, but you have dealt gently with us in all our wayward-
ness; teaching us by example as well as precept, the ad-
vantages of magnanimity and self control.

We will never forget you. We shall look back to this
institution in after life; and, whenever memory recalls our
school days, our hearts will warm toward you as they do
today.

I have been requested by my school mates, not to
address you formally, but as a beloved and respected friend.
In that light, Dear Superintendent, we will regard you.

Please accept our good wishes. May you always be as

330 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

happy as you have endeavored to make your pupils; and
may they — nothing better could be wished them — be al-
ways as faithful to their duties to others, as you have been
in your duties to them.

Very truly yours,

W. RILEY FLOURNOY.
In behalf of the boys of Oak Hill Academy.

An expression of gratitude from Simon Folsom, an
elder of the Forest church, who gave us very cordial co-op-
eration, and whose voice, ringing with pleading eloquence
and words of glad encouragement to the students, was fre-
quently heard at the Endeavor meetings or morning ser-
vices, by the young people during term time:

Dear Sir: I want to thank you for your interest, help
and work among my people. I feel that you have done us
a great service here. It is my prayer that God will reward
you in time for all your services in labor, thought and in-
terest. This is the plea of one whom you have been serv-
ing.

July 21, 1912. A Friend,

SIMON FOLSOM.

FRUIT BULLETIN

The superintendent continued to have charge of the
improvement and other work of the Academy and farm, un-
til the first of October ; publishing in the mean time the last
issue of the Freedman's Friend in September; and, remain-
ing during the month of October, prepared and published a
bulletin entitled, "Approved Fruits for Southern Oklahoma."

The aim of the author, in preparing and publishing this
fruit bulletin, was to furnish a short and reliable text book
on horticulture, for use in the Academy ; and to supply the
patrons of the institution, the information they were need-
ing, to enable them to secure, when making their first in-
vestments, profitable early, medium and late, fruit-bearing
varieties of trees for a small home orchard on their respec-
tive allotments.

CLOSING DAY, 1912 331

FAREWELL
The farewell words of the superintendent, briefly sum-
marized, appeared as follows in the last issue of the Freed-
man's Friend:

With the sending forth of this issue of the Oak Hill
Freedman's Friend, Rev. R. E. Flickinger lays aside the
mantle of service, as superintendent of the Academy and
Farm, and cordially commends Rev. W. H. Carroll, his suc-
cessor, to the confidence and esteem of all the patrons and
friends of the institution.

The opportunity afforded here during the last eight
years, to engage in the educational work among the colored
people of our beloved land, has been the realization of an
earnest desire awakened in the early part of our ministry,
but not expressed until the opening occurred at this place.
The silent but deeply impressive cry of need, the golden
opportunity to lay the foundation for the organization and
development of an important Industrial Educational Insti-
tution in this new section of country, and the cordial co-op-
eration of local ministers, teachers, patrons and friends, have
combined to make this work throughout, intensely inter-
esting.

It has enlisted our noblest and best powers of mind,
heart and hand. The constant probability that our term
of service would at best be brief, and the desire to accom-
plish the greatest possible results, have proved an incentive
to incessant industry. When difficulties increased, they
served as a signal to go forward more earnestly.

We have done what we could to add our mite, most ef-
fectively, to the great educational work needed in this
south land. That which has been done, has bean due to the
constant and cordial co-operation of our Board of Missions
for Freedmen, and of the immediate patrons and friends of
the institution. It remains, that we express to you all our
lasting gratitude, for your cordial co-operation, and for the
present, say, Farewell !

"God bless you, till we meet again."

Very truly,

R. E. FLICKINGER.

PART III

HISTORY

...OF THE....

PRL5BYTLRY OF KIAMICHI

...AND THE...

SYNOD OF CANADIAN

"My church is the place, where the Word of God is
preached, the power of God is felt, the Spirit of God is man-
ifested and the unity of God is perceived.

"There, I am to meet my Saviour, to meditate on his re-
demption, to listen to his commands, to bow in reverence
before him, to pray for his guidance, to sing his praise, to
ask for his help, and to sit quietly in his house.

"It is the home of my soul, the altar of my devotion,
the hearth of my faith, the center of my affections and the
foretaste of heaven.

"I have united with it in solemn covenant, pledging
myself to attend its services, to pray for its members, to
give to its support, to obey its laws, to protect its name, to
reverence its building, to honor its officers and to main-
tain its permanence.

"It claims the principal place in my activities, and its
unity, peace and progress, concern my life in this world and
that which is to come." — F. Hyatt Smith.

XLI

THE PRESBYTERY OF KIAMICHI

CONSTITUTED IN 1896.— ORGANIZED AT GRANT.— BOUNDARY
ENLARGED IN 1907.— REPORT IN 1913.— GROWTH, 1868 TO
1913.— DEARTH OF MINISTERS.— FAVORITE SONS.— NEW
ERA.

"Neglect not the gift which was given thee, with the
laying on of the hands of the Presbytery." — Paul.

iJ^x^OTJHE ministers and group of churches, that
W first formed the Presbytery of Kiamichi, be-
klli longed originally to the Presbytery of Choc-
taw; which included the territory allotted
in 1832 to the Choctaw Nation, comprising
the southeast one-fourth of Indian Territory, after the es-
tablishment of Oklahoma Territory in 1890.

CONSTITUTED BY SYNOD
The Synod of Indian Territory, at the meeting held at
South McAlester, Oct. 22-25, 1896, in response to an over-
ture for division from the Presbytery of Choctaw, estab-
lished the new Presbytery by the adoption of the following
resolutions :

1st. That the Choctaw Presbytery be divided into two
Presbyteries, according to the following geographical
boundaries: First, beginning at Durant on the M. K. & T.
Railroad, east on the 34th parallel to the Arkansas line,
thence South to the Texas line, thence west with the Texas
line (Red river) to the M. K. & T. Railroad, thence north
with the M. K. & T. Railroad to Durant, the starting point ;
this Presbytery to be known as the Presbytery of Tuskaloo-
sa, and to embrace the following churches now within its
bounds: St. Paul, Oak Hill, Bethany, Forest, Beaver Dam,
Hebron, Sandy Branch, New Hope, Oak Grove and Mt. Gilead

(335)

336 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

— 10 ; and to embrace the following ministers, now members
of the Presbytery of Choctaw: Rev. E. G. Haymaker, (white)
Rev. E. B. Evans, (white) Rev. Wiley Homer, Rev. J. H.
Sleeper, and Rev. Samuel Gladman — 5.

2nd. That the Presbytery of Tuskaloosa meet at Beav-
er Dam (Grant) on the Saturday before the third Sabbath
in November, 1896, at 11 o'clock a. m. and be opened with a
sermon by Rev. E. G. Haymaker, or in his absence, by the
oldest minister present, who shall preside until a new Mod-
erator is elected."

ORGANIZED AT GRANT

The first meeting of this new Presbytery was held at
Grant, in the Beaver Dam church of which Rev. Wiley
Homer was pastor, Nov. 14-16, 1896, seven months after
the death of Parson Stewart, who had organized and devel-
oped all these churches. The meeting was opened with a
sermon by Rev. Edward G. Haymaker, superintendent of
Oak Hill Academy, Clear Creek ; and he was chosen to serve
as the first stated clerk. The first annual report, April 1,
1897, showed an enrollment of 5 ministers, 11 churches and
292 communicant members. The name of the Choctaw
church at Wheelock, Garvin, P. O. was included in this re-
port, and Richard D. Colbert was enrolled as a licentiate and
appointed stated supply of New Hope and Sandy Branch
churches.

The name given this new Presbytery, which was the
name of a county and county seat town in Alabama, was not
entirely satisfactory to those, who were included in it ; and in
making their first report to synod in the fall of 1897, they re-
quested the name be changed to Mountain Fork, the name
of a branch of Little river, that flows from the east end of
Kiamichi mountain. While this matter was under discus-
sion at synod the name of the principal river flowing through
the bounds of the Presbytery, "Kiamichi," (Ki a mish ee)
signifying "Where you going," was suggested by Rev. Wiley

THE PRESBYTERY OF KIAMICHI 337

Homer; and it was approved both by the Synod and Pres-

bytery.

The roll of the Presbytery, at the time of its first re-
port in the spring of 1897, included two Choctaw churches,
namely, Oak Grove at Grant, and Wheelock, having 5 and
70 members respectively. During this year Oak Grove was
disbanded and dropped; and Wheelock, becoming vacant,
was transferred to the Presbytery of Choctaw ; Rev. Evan B.
Evans, its last pastor, having gone to Mulhall, in the Pres-
bytery of Oklahoma. Bethany, a colored church previous-
ly reported as having 9 members was also dropped. These
changes reduced the Presbytery to one consisting entirely
of colored churches and of colored ministers, with the single
exception of Rev. E. G. Haymaker, superintendent of Oak
Hill Academy, who was engaged in the educational work
among them.

The annual report for 1898, the first one under the new
name, "Kiamichi" that included only colored churches,
shows that the Presbytery then consisted of 4 ministers, E.
G. Haymaker, Wiley Homer, John H. Sleeper and Samuel
Gladman; 2 licentiates, William Butler and R. D. Colbert;
and 8 churches, Oak Hill, 40 ; Mount Gilead, 25 ; Saint Paul,
14; Beaver Dam, 34; Hebron, 13; New Hope, 25; Sandy
Branch, 16; and Forest, 20; having 187 members and 248
Sunday school members.

BOUNDARY ENLARGED

In May 1907, when the General Assembly at Columbus,
Ohio, united and rearranged the synods and Presbyteries of
the Presbyterian and Cumberland churches, after the union
of their Assemblies at Des Moines the previous year, the
boundary of the Presbytery of Kiamichi was defined as
follows :

338

CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

The Presbytery of Kiamichi shall consist of all minis-
ters and churches of the Negro race in that part of the synod
of Oklahoma, lying south of the south Canadian river, and
south of the Arkansas river, below the point of confluence
of these two rivers." Min. G. A. 1907, 214.

The north half of Oklahoma was included in the Presby-
tery of Kendall, then established and two men Rev. Burr
Williams and Rev. David J. Wallace, who had been mem-
bers of Kiamichi, since 1899 were transferred to it.

In 1910 the colored Presbyterian ministers and
churches in east Texas were added to the Presbytery of
Kiamichi. These included Rev. J. A. Loving, M. D., and the
Mount Zion church, at Jacksonville, Texas; and Rev. J. M.
McKellar and the Mount Olivet church at Rusk, Texas.

ANNUAL REPORT IN 1913

In 1913, the Presbytery included 14 ministers and 16
churches as follows :

Minister

Address

Church

m
u

u
a

U CO

CD bd

B C

■S-c

i
3 6

0) O

.2Sn

w§

Wiley Homer, H. R.

Grant, Okla.

Robert E. Flickinger, H. R.

Rockwell City, Iowa

x Samuel Gladman, Ev.

Eufaula, Okla.

Thomas K. Bridges

Lukfata, Okla.

Mt. Gilead

$ 13

$ 25

William Butler

Eagletown, Okla.

St. Paul

Millerton, Okla.

Forest

Lukfata, Okla.

Pleasant Valley 2

Richard D. Colbert

Grant, Okla.

Hebron

William J. Starka

Garvin, Okla.

Garvin

190

William H. Carroll

Valliant, Okla.

Oak Hill

Noah S. Alverson

Griffin, Okla.

Ebenezer

Plant S. Meadows

Shawneetown, Okla.

Mt. Pleasant

Millerton, Okla.

Bethany

Samuel J. Onque

Grant, Okla.

Beaver Dam

Julius W. Mallard

Frogville, Okla.

New Hope

Frogville, Okla.

Sandy Branch
Pleasant Hill, v

29
4

J. A. Loving

Jacksonville, Texas

Mt. Zion

J. M. McKeller -14

Rusk, Texas

Mt. Olivet -16 1

400

583

$170

$560

X Died, Eufaula, January 8, 1913, at 65.

THE PRESBYTERY OF KIAMICHI 339

These churches now represent 38 elders; 400 members,
and 583 Sunday school members. They contributed $180.00
to our Missionary Boards and $560.00, towards self-support.

At the next meeting of the synod in the fall of 1913,
the two ministers and churches in Texas were transferred
to the Presbytery of White River, Arkansas.

Other ministers and churches, that have been enrolled
as members or a part of this Presbytery, and their names
have not yet been mentioned, were as follows:

Rev. Thomas C. Ogburn, who in 1890 and 1891 served
Beaver Dam, New Hope and Hebron.

Rev. William G. Ogburn, who in 1890, served Saint Paul
and Mount Gilead.

Rev. Burr Williams, who from 1899 to 1902 served Con-
well chapel at Springvale, and from 1902 to 1903, served
Mount Zion at Monger, O. T.

Rev. David J. Wallace, Langston, in 1899, and in 1906
at Okmulgee, Ok. Ter.

Rev. Hugh L. Harry, New Hope at Frogville in 1904
and 1905.

SUCCESSION OF STATED CLERKS

Edward G. Haymaker. Clear Creek, Nov. 14, 1896-1903.
John H. Sleeper, Frogville, 1903-1904.

Thompson K. Bridges, Lukfata, 1904-1906.

Samuel Gladman, Millerton 1906-1910.

William J. Starks, Garvin, 1910-1914.

EXHIBIT OF GROWTH, 1868 TO 1913
The following exhibit shows the comparative growth
of the work among the colored people of the Choctaw nation
in Indian Territory, the summaries commencing with the
results of the work as left by Parson Charles W. Stewart,
when he was honorably retired from further active service

340 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

among the churches, on account of the infirmities of age,
in 1890, from Beaver Dam, New Hope, Hebron, St. Paul,
and Mount Gilead, and in 1893, from Oak Hill and Forest.
The report for 1898 is the first one of the new Presbytery
of Kiamichi to include only colored churches.

Church

Address

Stewart

Date of

Members in

began

organi-

1890 1893

1898

1913

services

zation

Beaver Dam

Grant

1874

1881

Hebron

Messer

1868

1872

New Hope

Frogville

1869

1872

St. Paul

Eagletown

1877

1878

Mt. Gilead

Lukfata

1883

1885

Oak Hill

Valliant

1868

1869

Forest

Millerton

1885

1887

Sandy Branch

Sawyer

1895

Ebenezer

Griffin

1903

Bethany

Millerton

1904

Garvin

1905

Pleasant Valley Lukfata

1906

Mount Pleasant Shawneetown

1906

Pleasant Hill

ital in Oklahoma

108

(145) 37

187

354

Mount Zion

Jacksonville, Texas

Mount Olivet

Rusk, Texas

Total in Presbytery 400

DEARTH OF MINISTERS

This exhibit shows that the membership of the 7
churches, when relinquished by Parson Stewart in 1890 and
1893, numbered 145, and in 1898, when the Presbytery under
the name "Kiamichi" made its first report, including only
colored churches, the number was 187; suggesting a gain
of 42 members by his successors in 8 years. If, however,
the 16 members at Sandy Branch be taken from the 1898
column, it shows the 7 churches served by Stewart, gained
only 26 members during all those eight years.

THE PRESBYTERY OF KIAMICHI 341

This lack of growth, during this important period, was
in great measure due to the fact most of the churches were
left vacant, during a considerable part of that period. Thir-
ty years had passed since the people had been accorded their
freedom, but so great had been the lack of educational facil-
ities, a sufficient number of acceptable men, that could
read and expound the scriptures profitably to others, could
not be found. Other communities throughout the south
were experiencing the same need, and had no young men to
spare for these needy fields.

FAVORITE SONS BECOME MINISTERS

It devolved upon each community to solve this prob-
lem, relating to the supply of ministers, by encouraging their
own brightest and best boys to train for the ministry. That
was the way this problem had to be solved by the Choctaw
Freedmen in the south part of Indian Territory.

While the native young men were under training, and
the churches were vacant, the services had to be maintain-
ed by the elders and most capable women; and they de-
serve great credit for their faithfulness and efficiency in
maintaining them from year to year.

The church, that during this period made the great-
est gain — 13 members — was Beaver Dam, the one that was
first to furnish from its own membership, an acceptable and
capable minister for its own pulpit, by commending Wiley
Homer for licensure in 1894, when he was appointed the
stated supply for that church and Hebron.

In 1897 the same church presented Richard D. Colbert,
another of its sons for licensure that he might take charge
of the church at Frogville and Sandy Branch.

Eagletown presented William Butler, as their favorite

342 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

son, for licensure; and beginning then, he is still serving
that church and Forest.

In 1905, Ebenezer church at Griffin presented Noah S.
Alverson for licensure, and beginning then, he is still faith-
fully serving that field.

In 1905, Mount Gilead church at Lukfata presented for
licensure John Richards, a youth of considerable promise,
who died at 25, in June 1907, while pursuing his studies
under the superintendent of Oak Hill Academy.

Under the ministry of these native youth, aided by
several others who have joined them, the membership of
the Presbytery was increased from 187 to 350; or, nearly
doubled, during the period from 1898 to 1913, and five new
churches have been organized.

Parson Stewart, serving all his seven churches life-long
periods, and these favorite sons, following loyally and faith-
fully in his footsteps, have greatly honored the permanent
pastorate, though none of them have ever been installed.
In this matter of long pastorates, these ministers and peo-
ple have made a record, worthy of the emulation of the
church at large ; especially those congregations that seem to
take pride in having "itching ears" and the consequent
doom of standing vacant and idle half the time, and those
perambulating ministers, who remind one of the proverb
of the "rolling stone that gathers no moss."

NEW ERA REQUIRES THAT PREACHERS BE

TEACHERS

On the other hand it is proper to note, that, commenc-
ing with Parson Stewart all of these worthy men were
licensed and ordained to the full work of the gospel min-
istry, after taking a very "short course" of educational
training. This was due to the fact they were needed to meet

THE PRESBYTERY OF KIAMICHI 343

an emergency, an unexpected and unusual condition, that
called for immediate action. The extraordinary call, these
men were encouraged to accept, came to them during the
Territorial days, when there was no adequate provision for
public education. They were then abreast of their times, and
the very best their several communities could furnish.

Now the times are different. The change came with the
allotment of lands in 1904 and 1905, followed by statehood
in 1907 and the establishment of a public school system im-
mediately afterwards. Public schools are now found in
every community, where there are a sufficient number of
pupils to justify the employment of a teacher. The demand
for good teachers is now greater than the supply, and with
passing years the call will be for better ones. There are
many reasons now, why every candidate for licensure should
first prove himself to be an acceptable and successful teach-
er, as well as a good speaker. Teaching is now, and for
many years will continue to be, the secondary employment
of the colored minister in the rural districts. Recognizing
that fact, every future candidate for the ministry should be
animated with the noble ambition, to stand at the front in
the teacher's profession, in order that there may be a con-
stant demand for his services as a teacher, in the com-
munity he serves as a preacher.

More ministers are needed, and promising young men,
in every community, should be encouraged to train for that
sacred office. The church is standing ready to co-operate
with them, in their effort to secure a good and thorough
education, as a fitting preparation for their future work.
"Go and teach" is a divine call to a noble work, but "Go and
preach," is recognized as a divine call to a still nobler and
greater work, as the Bible and its mission are greater than

344 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

that of any other book. A greater work suggests the need
of greater preparation. The extraordinary incidents of
the past were not intended to be regarded as precedents, or
as a rule for the future. The time is now at hand when all,
who present themselves to the Presbytery, before they
have graduated from the Grammar department, or 8th grade
of a well accredited school, should be enrolled and held
merely as "candidates for the ministry," until they have
completed their studies to that extent, before "licensure to
preach" is accorded to them. Ordination should ordinarily
be deferred, until the licentiate has completed the theologi-
cal course prescribed for all in the standards of the church.
Young men are frequently impatient to enter upon their
ministerial life work. They do not always know, that ex-
pert or thorough training in youth, doubles their value in
the activities of life; and that this is especially true of the
teacher and preacher.

XLII

HISTORIES OF CHURCHES

" I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the
House of the Lord." — David.

"There's a church in the valley by the wild-wood

No lovelier spot in the dale ;

No place is so dear to my childhood,

As the little brown church in the vale."

BEAVER DAM CHURCH

jV^^^J/PHE earl y history of the Beaver Dam Pres-
/' *"p >\¥ byterian church at Grant carries us back
Vlll to the year 1873, when Wiley Homer, one
of the enterprising young men of the com-
munity, built an arbor in the timber, and
held the first religious meetings among the colored people
of that neighborhood.

Parson C. W. Stewart, of Doaksville, the next year held
occasional services in the arbor, and in 1875 secured the
erection of the first house of worship. It was built of sap-
lings, and at the place previously occupied by the arbor.
Wiley Homer continued to serve as leader of the regular
Sabbath meetings, when the parson was not present.

In 1881 the church was organized with the following
persons as original members:

Wiley Homer, Laney Homer, his wife, Louisa Roebuck,
Martha Folsom, Amy Walton, Adaline Shoals, Rhoda Lark-
ins. — 7.

(345)

346 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Wiley Homer was the only elder ordained at that time.
A year or two later, Richard Roebuck, and in 1888 Richard
D. Colbert and Wellington Bolden (died 1892) were or-
dained. Wiley Homer and Richard D. Colbert continued to
serve as elders until they were ordained to the full work of
the gospel ministry in 1895 and 1903, respectively.

The elders in 1913 are as follows:

William Goff, ordained 1892

Aaron Green, ordained 1894

Wiley Brown, ordained 1912

Walter McCulloch, ordained 1912

Others that served as elders were:

Nick Colbert, 1891 to 1894

Peter Nolan 1893 to 1896

Moses Folsom 1904 till death, 1912

The succession of pastors has been as follows:

Parson C. W. Stewart, Doaksville 1874 to 1890, 16 years
Thomas C. Ogburn, Goodland 1890 to 1892 2 years
Wiley Homer, Grant 1892 to 1912 20 years

Samuel J. Onque, Grant 1912 to date 1914

The comfortable and spacious chapel, now occupied by
the congregation, was built in 1904 during the pastorate of
Wiley Homer, the God-fearing cowboy, who 30 years before
had built the arbor in the timber.

NEW HOPE CHURCH AT FROGVILLE

The New Hope Presbyterian church at Frogville,
Choctaw county, was organized about 1872 by Parson
Charles W. Stewart, who had conducted occasional services
in this neighborhood for some time previous.

The first elders were Elias Radford, who died in 1908
after 36 years of faithful service, and James Pratt, who,
after 40 years of faithful official service, is still living (1914)
in his own cozy cottage home near the church. In the interest
of the church, which is located in the Oak forest, along Red

HISTORIES OF CHURCHES 347

river southeast of Hugo, and still fifteen miles from rail-
way, he has from the first been the principal host, to re-
ceive and entertain the Frogville circuit-riders, as in the
days of Stewart and Homer ; and provided rooms in his own
home for the resident ministers as in the days of Sleeper,
Harry and Starks. When the Presbytery meets at Frog-
ville, he generously plans to entertain about one half the
people that are present from a distance. The good he has
already accomplished, by his faithful, life-long service in the
church and Sunday school, make him worthy to be long
and gratefully remembered, as one of the noblest and most
generous benefactors in the community in which he lives.

Others that have been ordained and are still serving as
ruling elders in this church are Willis Buffington, ordained
Sept. 7, 1902 ; and Garfield Pratt, son of James, April 9, 1911.

The succession of pastors of the New Hope church has

been as follows :

Charles W. Stewart, Doaksville 1872—1889.

Thomas C. Ogburn, Goodland 1889—1891.

Wiley Homer, Grant 1891—1892.

Samuel Gladman, Atoka 1897—1899.

Richard D. Colbert, Grant 1899—1900.

John H. Sleeper, Frogville 1900—1904.

Hugh L. Harry, Frogville 1904—1905.

William J. Starks, Frogville 1905—1912.
Julius W. Mallard, Frogville since Jan. 4, 1913.

Wiley Homer, an elder and catechist in the Beaver Dam
church at Grant, as an aid to Parson Stewart conducted
most of the services during his last two years, 1887 to 1889.

This church in 1913 reports 26 members and 59 in the
Sunday school. In all probability it was the second church
organized by Parson Stewart.

348 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

ST. PAUL CHURCH, EAGLETOWN

In 1877, Parson Charles W. Stewart of Doaksville be-
gan to hold occasional religious services in the colored
settlement at Eagletown, and Saint Paul Presbyterian
church was organized in 1878.

Rev. Charles Copling, a missionary to the Choctaws
also conducted an occasional service among the colored peo-
ple, during the year preceding the organization of the
church.

The elders ordained at the time of organization were
Elijah Butler, Primas Richards and Solomon Pitchlyn. In
1885 William Butler was ordained to supply the vacancy,
occasioned by the removal of Elijah Butler, and Primas
Richards to Lukfata, where they became that year two of
the first elders of the Mount Gilead church. William But-
ler continued to serve as an elder until 1897, when, as a
licentiate of the Presbytery, he became the stated supply
of St. Paul and Forest Presbyterian churches. Shepherd
Riley served a number of years as an elder of this church.
Those serving as elders in 1913 are Calvin Burris, Monroe
Lewis, George Burris and Adam Lewis.

The ministers serving Saint Paul have been:

Parson Charles W. Stewart 1877 to 1889.

William G. Ogburn 1890 to 1891.

John H. Sleeper 1894 to 1897.

William Butler 1897 to date, 1914.

William Butler, a favorite son and elder of this church,
continuing to serve it acceptably in the pastorate ever since
he was made a licentiate in connection with Forest has made
a very noble record. He is a pastor who has acquired the
art of emphasizing in a very pleasant way the word "come."

"Oh, come to the church in the wildwood,
To the trees where the wild flowers bloom ;

HISTORIES OF CHURCHES 349

Where the parting hymn will be chanted,

We will weep by the side of the tomb.

"From the church in the valley by the wildwood,

When day fades away into night ;

I would fain from this spot of my childhood,

Wing my way to the mansions of light.
"Come to the church in the wildwood,
Oh, come to the church in the vale,
No spot is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the vale."

MOUNT GILEAD CHURCH, LUKFATA

The Mount Gilead church at Lukfata was organized
July 26, 1885, by a committee of the Presbytery of Choctaw,
consisting of Rev. John Edwards, superintendent of Wheel-
ock Academy, and Elder Charley Morris, a Choctaw. The
members enrolled on this date were:

Elijah Butler and Amanda Butler, his wife; Elisha
Butler and Vina Butler, his wife; Easter Butler, Francis
Butler, Jane Butler, Francis Burris, Daniel Burris, Kate
Burris, Primas Richards, Rhoda Butler, Nelson Butler and
Adaline Butler. — 14.

Elijah Butler and Elisha Butler, his son, and Primas
Richards were elected and ordained as the first elders. On
Jan. 29, 1896, Matthew Richards was ordained an elder.

This church was called "Mount Gilead," the home of the
prophet Elijah, in honor of Elijah Butler, one of the first
elders, who, having served a few years as one of the first
elders of Saint Paul church, conducted the first religious
meetings among the colored people, that led to the organ-
ization of this Presbyterian church at Lukfata.

Parson Charles W. Stewart held occasional services in
the neighborhood of Lukfata, two or three years before the
church was organized in 1885, and then continued to be its
monthly supply during the next five years.

350 GHOCTAW FREEDMEN

In 1890 it was grouped with St. Paul church at Eagle-
town and supplied by Rev. William G. Ogburn from that
place. From 1895 to 1899 it was supplied by Rev. John H.
Sleeper, who then moved to Frogville. From 1901 to 1903
it was served by Rev. Samuel Gladman, who then took
charge of Bethany near Wheelock.

Rev. Thompson K. Bridges, after serving and organ-
izing Ebenezer church at Lehigh the previous year, located
at Lukfata in the fall of 1903, and has been the local teacher
and regular supply of the church, since that date, a period
of eleven years.

XLIII

PARSON CHARLES W. STEWART

DOAKSVILLE, 1823-1896.

"A soldier of the cross,

A follower of the Lamb,

Who did not fear to own his cause,

Or blush to speak His name."

I^^^^/PHIS pioneer circuit rider of the Choctaw
W Freedmen came forth from a period of slav-
ery, to the Choctaw Indians in the wilds of
Indian Territory, that covered the first 42
years of his life. His home was afterwards
located near the Kiamichi river, seven miles west of Doaks-
ville. He grew to manhood and always lived in an unim-
proved, sparsely settled timber country in an obscure and
inaccessible corner of the world.

Taking John the Baptist, as his ideal of a good christian
worker, he became the leading herald of the gospel me&-
sage to his people, first in the valley of the Kiamichi, and
then going forth in every direction in the larger valley of
Red river, he established a monthly circuit of preaching sta-
tions, that included the most thickly settled neighborhoods
of the colored people in the territory, now included in Choc-
taw and MeCurtain counties. Like John, he seems never to
have sat before a camera long enough to leave the world his
portrait, and, though serving faithfully as a minister more
than 25 years he never enjoyed the privilege and pleasure
of attending a meeting of the General Assembly.

(351)

352 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Judging him, however, by the results of his work, the
circle of churches established and acceptably served for an
unusually long period of years, and the number of talented
young men, whom he discovered, in the communities visited,
and enthused with the longing desire and ambition to be-
come leaders of their race especially useful and efficient
teachers and preachers of the gospel, he proved himself
worthy to be rated as one of the most aggressive and suc-
cessful of the early leaders of his race.

"A man he was to all the country dear,
Remote from towns he ran his godly race,
Nor ever changed, nor wished to change his
place."

PERIOD OF SLAVERY, 1823-1866

Charles W. Stewart was a native of Alabama, and, at
the age of ten in 1833, was transported with the Choctaws,
to whom as a slave he belonged, to the southeastern part of
Indian Territory. John Homer was then his master, and
he located about three miles northeast of the present town
of Grant. His first marriage occurred, while he was serving
Homer. The wedding of one of Homer's daughters occur-
red a few years later, and his wife was assigned to serve in
the home of the newly married daughter. She located in
a distant part of the reservation, and he was thus deprived
of his first wife, Charlotte Homer.

Charles Stewart, a white man, keeping store at Doaks-
ville, soon afterwards became his owner, and his previous
name, "Homer" was then changed to "Stewart", after the
name of his new master. About the year 1860, Samson
Folsom, a Choctaw who lived eight miles southeast of old
Goodland, became his new and last owner.

PARSON CHARLES W. STEWART 353

PERIOD OF FREEDOM, 1866-1896
He began to hold religious meetings as early as 1856,
when he belonged to Stewart, and lived at Doaksville. Mrs.
Stewart, who had been a missionary teacher, encouraged
him to learn to read and furnished him with books for that
purpose. Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury, pastor of the Choctaw
church, gave him the instruction in the Bible, that fitted
him for the work of the ministry, and accorded to him the
privilege of holding meetings in the church, for his people,
on occasional Sabbath afternoons.

He was accorded ordination by the Presbytery of In-
dian (southern) in the fall of 1870, and was then officially
assigned the pastoral care of the congregations he had pre-
viously developed at Doaksville and its vicinity, and at
Wheelock, or Oak Hill. He greatly appreciated the recog-
nitions accorded to him by the Presbytery, which had pre-
viously given him a license to preach ; and he endeavored to
magnify his office, as an evangelist, by going to the "re-
gions beyond," as fast as the door of opportunity opened
for him. During the early sixties he gathered new congre-
gations for worship at his home on the Folsom farm and
in the Horse Prairie neighborhood. The Oak Hill appoint-
ment was established soon after he was accorded his free-
dom.

During the year 1883, the evangelistic work among the
Freedmen in Indian Territory, was voluntarily transferred
by the Southern to the Northern Presbyterian church, with
the conviction the latter was better prepared to success-
fully prosecute it. At the time of this transfer Charles
W. Stewart was enrolled as an ordained minister and desig-
nated as the Stated Supply of the following organized

354 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

churches: Beaver Dam, Hebron, New Hope, Oak Hill and
St. Paul. During the next two years three more of his ap-
pointments, Mt. Gilead, Forest and Horse Prairie were en-
rolled, as the fruit of his labors, and added to his circuit.
At this early date he had also a preaching station at Caddo
near Durant, and the distance across his circuit of appoint-
ments, from Caddo eastward to St. Paul at Eagletown, was
118 miles.

In 1886 when the Synod of Indian Territory was form-
ed by the union of three Presbyteries having 24 ministers,
his circuit included 8 of the 43 churches that were then en-
rolled. He continued to serve all of these churches four
more years.

Previous to this latter date, 1890, he was the first and
only Presbyterian minister that preached the gospel to the
colored people of Indian Territory. During that period, he
laid the foundation for most of the churches, that are now
enrolled in the Presbytery of Kiamichi and give employ-
ment to a half dozen ministers. He was now advanced in
years and beginning to feel the infirmities of age. He re-
linquished, in favor of two new men from a distance, all of
his circuit of churches, except Oak Hill and Forest, which
he continued to serve three more years, or until 1893. He
was then at the age of 70 honorably retired by the Presby-
tery, after a long and remarkably successful career in the
gospel ministry.

CIRCUIT OF CHURCHES
The following exhibit of the churches he established
and served is as nearly correct as it is possible at this date
to make it.

PARSON CHARLES W. STEWART

355

Post office

Church !

Services

Church

Work

Members

Years

began

organ-
ized

dropped
by Stew-
art

service

Doaksville

1856

Pine Ridge

1858

Caddo

1860

Horse Prairie

1863

1870?

1890

Wheelock

Oakt

1868

1869

1893

Goodland

bron

1868

1872

1890

Frogville

New Hope

1869 ?

1872 ?

1890

21?

Grant

Beaver Dam 1874

1881

1890

Eagletown

St.

Paul

1877

1878

1890

• 18

Lukfata

Mt,

. Gilead

1883

1885

1890

Wheelock

Forest

1885

1887

1893

145

About 1890, he moved to a home near Forest church,
and died there at 73, April 8, 1896 ; after an aggressive min-
istry of more than twenty-five years after his licensure,
which had been preceded by nearly ten years of earnest
volunteer service for the betterment of his people. He was
buried in the Crittenden grave yard.

He left three children, the offspring of his marriage to
Catherine Perry, namely, ^ThomjLS, Betty married to Ben-
jamin Roebuck, and Harriet, married to Rev. Pugh A. Ed-
wards.

In 1886, after the death of Catherine, he married the
widow of Jeffers Perkins, and she died at 65 in 1905, sur-
vived by seven of twelve children by her first marriage,
namely, Charles and Louis Perkins, Mrs. R. D. Arnold, Fre-
donia Allen, Virginia Willians (d. 1913), Fidelia Murchison
and Jane Parrish.

CHARACTERISTICS AS A PREACHER

Charles W. Stewart was a man of medium height and
rather stout build. The rugged features of his face sug-
gested a man, possessing strong and sturdy elements of

356 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

character. He grew to manhood under circumstances and
changes that made an early education impossible. His edu-
cation, which was very limited was acquired by the private
study of a primer, catechism, Bible and other books, furnish-
ed him by Mrs. Stewart, his real owner, and, Rev. Cyrus
Kingsbury (d. 1870).

Parson Stewart was a faithful christian worker, who
did not become weary in well doing. He made his long jour-
neys on horseback. He endeavored to arrive at his monthly
appointments the previous day so as to have time for the
discipline or re-instatement of wayward members, or hold
an evangelistic meeting. He manifested so much of hope-
ful enthusiasm in his work that he seemed unmindful of the
loneliness and wearisomeness of the long journeys in the
wilderness and regarded it merely as a passing incident,
when he had to spend a day or even a night in the timber,
waiting for the overflow of flooded streams to subside, so he
could safely ford them.

He was an aggressive christian worker. He strived to
preach the gospel, "not where Christ was named, lest he
should build upon another man's foundation," but, as it is
written, "To whom he was not spoken of they shall see, and
they that have not heard shall understand." He was on the
alert to hear the cry of Macedonia, "Come over and help us,"
and he was always ready to enter and hold a new field while
his strength lasted. When he was licensed, all the land of
the Choctaw Nation seemed to be spread out before him,
as his field of effort, as the land of Canaan was before
Joshua, when the Lord encouraged him to be "strong, very
courageous and possess it," for his people. He knew he had
the "book of the law," that his people needed and his whole
nature seemed to be enthused with the promise, "Every

PARSON CHARLES W. STEWART 357

place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have
I given unto you." His ambition, to carry the message of
gospel light and liberty into new settlements of his people,
was limited by the necessity laid upon him, to continue to
serve those he had already acquired.

He was an enthusiastic Presbyterian. He frequently
delighted, as well as instructed the people, by explaining to
them the Bible, by repeating familiar portions of the shorter
Catechism and Confession of Faith. These were his most
familiar and best commentaries on the Bible. He encour-
aged the elders, to become leaders of meetings, and teach-
ers of the people, by maintaining regular Sabbath services,
for the study of the Bible and Catechism, to promote their
spiritual welfare.

He was a forceful and acceptable preacher. In his later
years he was sometimes slow in finding the hymn, Scripture
lesson and text. But when he found the hymn, it was al-
ways one the people could sing, and in leading them with
his own powerful voice, he needed neither tuning fork or
organ accompaniment. He read the Scripture with such a
variety of emphasis, as to awaken the desire to catch every
word. In the delivery of his message he manifested so much
sincerity and earnestness, that every one felt he was speak-
ing to them "direct from the shoulder."

He grew in favor with the people. He held, to the end
of his lifelong ministry, the love and affection of the peo-
ple, whom he served. He saw their need of teachers and
preachers, and encouraged the young people in every neigh-
borhood, to prepare themselves to supply that need. As a
direct result of his personal influence and encouragement,
Wiley Homer, Richard D. Colbert, William Butler, Elisha
Butler, Simon Folsom and others came to be recognized, as

358 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

efficient Bible teachers and religious leaders, in their re-
spective settlements. Acceptable and permanent preachers
could not be found, for the group of churches from which
Stewart retired in 1890, until Homer, Colbert and Butler
were licensed, and two churches assigned to each of them.

The worthy veteran lived long enough to see Wiley
Homer licensed in 1893 and become his successor at Beaver
Dam and Hebron. The other two were licensed in 1897, the
year after he "entered into the joy of his Lord." It was not
until this year, when, John H. Sleeper continuing to serve
Mt. Gilead, William Butler became his successor at St. Paul
and Forest, and R. D. Colbert was assigned New Hope and
Sandy Branch, that all of the churches in the circuit of
Stewart had regular supplies.

He was a real pioneer "circuit rider," who has left the
good impression of his personal work, upon the colored
people of a large section of country, and of him it may well
be said:

"This man never preached for money,
If he did he never got it ;
He had some faults, but more virtues:
He was conscientious and devoted,
Persevering and determined;
Long his name will be remembered."

"He was a faithful circuit rider — though a slave in his
youth ;

His artless earnest sermons were the simple tale of
truth,

How the Son of God who loved us, left a scepter, crown
and throne,

All the joys of highest heaven, to go, seek and save his

own."

"Soldier of Christ, well done !
Praise be your new employ,
And while eternal ages run
Rest in the Saviour's joy."

PARSON CHARLES W. STEWART 359

The opportunity to prepare the foregoing tribute to
the memory of Charles W. Stewart, and give it an historic
setting in this volume, has been greatly appreciated by the
author. Rising above the limitations of his condition as a
slave, during the first half of his natural life, he consecrated
himself to the betterment of his race and thus, under the
most unfavorable circumstances, prepared himself for the
wider field and greater opportunities, that came to him with
the dawn of freedom.

This story of noble achievement by one of their own

number, is well worthy of long and careful preservation;

that it may thrill to noble endeavor, the present and future

generations of the Choctaw Freedmen.

"Let us labor for the Master,

From the dawn till setting sun;

Let us talk of all his wondrous love and care,

Then, when all of life is over,

And our work on earth is done,

And the roll is called up yonder, we'll be there."

XLIV

REV. WILEY HOMER

"Patience and Perseverance will perform great wonders."

^^^^/fTT na s been said, "some men are born great,
/' y[ some have greatness thrust upon them,

while others achieve greatness." Many,
however, who have inherited a great name,
wealth or power have failed to meet the
expectation of their parents and friends. When, therefore,
any one, reared in the home of poverty and educated in the
school of "hard knocks," rises above the unfavorable lim-
itations of his surroundings and achieves a noble career of
eminent usefulness in church or state, he merits commend-
ation.

The subject of this sketch is a good illustration of the
self-made man. He inherited good lungs, a strong voice
and a splendid physique. He is really a physical giant, his
stalwart frame towering upward six feet, and tipping the
beam at 265 pounds. His erect and dignified movements have
made him a commanding figure among his people. His
constant endeavor to promote their best interests has made
him a popular leader among them. A slave by birth and
denied the privilege of books and papers, lest he should
learn to read, his eager desire for knowledge led him to de-
vise ways and means of self -education, to enable him to rise
above the fetters that bound him in youth. His successful
career as a minister of the gospel, serving the same people
amongst whom he was born and raised during the entire

(360)

REV. WILEY HOMER 361

period of his active ministerial life, was as unusual and
worthy of special commendation, as it was long and useful.
Wiley Homer was born March 1, 1851, in the south part
of the Choctaw Nation, known as the Red river valley. His
parents were Isam McCoy and Adaline Shoals, who lived
about three miles northeast of the present town of Grant.
As his parents were called after the family name of their
masters, in accordance with the usual custom in slavery
times, he was called "Homer" after the name of his master,
John Homer, a full-blood Choctaw.

LEARNING THE ALPHABET
His self-education began, when at fourteen, he was
employed as a cowboy, to herd cattle on the little prairies
and hunt them, when scattered through the timber. The
timber was a general pasture for the cattle of everybody,
and their ownership was told by the brand which consisted
of the initial letters of the owner's names, burned on the
hip, or back of each. It became necessary for him, to learn
how to distinguish these brands, one from another, for he
was sometimes asked to hunt the cattle of other people. To
do this he began by drawing the outline of familiar brands
in the dust or sand, where the ground was smooth, and then
on slips of paper. In a short time, the list on the paper slips
included the brand of every owner in the settlement, and
nearly all the letters of the alphabet.

A man once called on his employer, Samson Loring, to
see if he could hunt his cattle. When asked if he could
identify the new brand, "A. B.", he took a stick and, stoop-
ing down before them, drew the outline of these letters, in
the loose sand of the road. On seeing this performance
one remarked to the other, "That boy will make a smart
nigger." That remark was a source of considerable en-

362 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

couragement to him, and awakened the desire, to take ad-
vantage of every opportunity to gain knowledge.

LEARNING TO READ

When, at 16 in 1867, he wp/3 accorded his freedom he
obtained a primer and first reader, and undertook to master
these by private study. About four years later, a testament
and shorter Catechism were given him. He now had what
was regarded as a good library for a young man and he ap-
plied himself to the reading and study of these books, in
the evenings and other periods of spare time. The test-
ament was frequently taken to the field when plowing, in
order that he might learn to read a verse or two, while the
team was resting, or get a neighbor, passing on the road, to
read it for him. The reading of the testament soon awak-
ened a desire to be a teacher and preacher, and this greatly
increased his interest in the study of that book.

He learned to sing from his mother, who greatly en-
joyed whiling away spare hours on the Sabbath, singing the
songs they used to sing in slavery times. The only help of
a teacher, that he enjoyed was a period of three months, to
enable him to read the Bible aloud correctly. This instruc-
tion was given only on Sabbath afternoons, and for it he
had to cut and split for the teacher 250 oak rails.

THE MAN WHO BUILT THE ARBOR

The story of the incidents, that prepared the way and
providentially led him into the ministry, is as novel and in-
teresting as the one relating to his method of learning the
alphabet.

When he had learned to read portions of the Testa-
ment and Catechism there were no meetings held in his
neighborhood on the Sabbath, for the religious instruction of

REV. WILEY HOMER 363

the colored people. He had a good voice and loved to sing.
He had experienced as much joy and delight in learning to
read the Bible, as many do, when they learn to play a musi-
cal instrument. He longed for an opportunity to read the
Bible for others.

This yearning first took the form of a prayer, that God
would provide for them a church or place for meeting. When
this prayer had been offered a few times, at the foot of an
oak tree in the timber he told others of his earnest desire
for a church ; and proposed to some friends, that they unite
with him in building an arbor in the timber for a meeting
place. This proposal was not taken very seriously, and yet
none of his friends cared to oppose it. A day was finally ap-
pointed and all, who were interested, were requested to
meet at the place selected for the arbor, and help to build it.

On the morning of that day, he went alone to the ap-
pointed place, which was near the oak tree at the foot of
which he had before knelt in prayer, and by noon he had cut
and erected the frame. Another friend arrived in the after-
noon and assisted to cover it with branches of trees and sup-
ply it with seats.

On the day following, which was the Sabbath, the
colored people of the neighborhood assembled to see the new
arbor and enjoy a meeting. Now it happened that no one
present had ever led a meeting, and the first question to be
settled was, "who should lead the meeting?" Every one,
that was asked to lead it, insisted, "the man who built the
arbor" must serve as leader of the meeting.

Young Homer accepted the situation and led the meet-
ing in the best manner possible. The exercises consisted of
a prayer, the reading of a familiar passage from the Bible,
some remarks by the leader and others, and the singing from

364 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

memory of a few plantation melodies, such as "Kentucky
Home," Swanee River", and "The Angels Are Coming to
Carry Me Home."

At the second meeting, which was held on the following
Sabbath, the people were formed into a class for instruction
in the Bible and catechism, and Homer was chosen to be
the leader. This was the organization of the Sunday school
for that neighborhood.

At this meeting Homer offered prayer the first time
in the presence of others; and it happened in this way.
When he called on the friend, who led in prayer at the first
meeting to do so again, he politely declined, saying : "Homer
you lead in prayer, yourself."

A TEACHER, ELDER AND PREACHER

This arbor, which was the tiny beginning of the
Beaver Dam church, was built in 1873, the year after he
became of age. The next year this place was visited by Rev.
Charles W. Stewart, and it then became one of his regular
monthly appointments. Homer was again appointed Bible
teacher and leader of the meetings, on the other Sabbaths.

In 1875 a church house or meeting place was built of
saplings, near the old arbor, that continued to be used for
many years.

In 1881 he was elected as the first elder of the church,
and in 1887 was appointed a Catechist. Encouraged by
these recognitions and duties he secured a good library of
religious books including a Bible dictionary and a Webster.
He read many of them with great profit, and was soon
recognized as an intelligent and valuable instructor of the
people. The Bible and the shorter Catechism, the one con-
taining all of Bible truth and the other, a brief com-
pend of Bible doctrine, were the two books that were studied
most and proved most helpful.

REV. WILEY HOMER 365

In 1893 he was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of
Choctaw and assigned the pastoral care of Beaver Dam and
Hebron churches. On Sept. 28, 1895, by the same Presby-
tery, meeting at Oak Hill Academy, now known as the Alice
Lee Memorial, he was ordained to the full work of the gospel
ministry. He continued to serve Beaver Dam, his old home
church, until Oct. 1, 1912, when, after a pastorate of twen-
ty years, he was honorably retired from the active work of
the gospel ministry. In 1904 he secured the erection of a
commodious chapel at Grant that, during the next five
years, served also as the most convenient place for holding
the neighborhood school. After serving Hebron about ten
years on alternate Sabbaths, in connection with Beaver
Dam, he relinquished that field and served Sandy Branch
and Horse Prairie, each a short period.

When the Presbytery of Kiamichi met in the new chapel
at Grant, in April 1905, he conducted the Bible lesson for
the entire Sunday school, as had been his custom ever since
the early days. The writer was pleasantly surprised and
profoundly impressed, by his scholarly and highly instruc-
tive management of it, and the many useful, practical les-
sons he endeavored to impress.

THE POWER OF THE BIBLE
Wiley Homer is a good practical illustration of what
the Bible is intended to do for all men. If he were asked,
what book, in the process of his self -education, had proved
most valuable to him, he would unhesitatingly reply, "the
Bible." His prayer in regard to it has been that of David in
the 119th Psalm, "Let my heart be sound in thy statutes,"
and his testimony, that of David in the 19th Psalm, "The
law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testi-
mony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple. The

366 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart, the com-
mandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."

If he were to name the next most helpful book, it would
be, The Shorter Catechism, with the statement on its first
page, that, "The chief end of man is to glorify God, and to
enjoy him forever."

The private study of the Bible and Catechism prepared
him for lifelong usefulness as a teacher, discovered to him
and his people his divine call to the ministry and enabled
him to do the most important work of his life. He has been
a faithful and efficient teacher of these two books, but of
these only, to all the people and, as a result, he has become
recognized as their spiritual leader.

The habit of private study, formed while learning to
read the Bible, fitted him to search for knowledge in other
fields of literature, and he has thus become one of the most
intelligent, highly respected and successful citizens of the
community in which he lives.

He has been an ardent friend and promoter of educa-
tion among his people. When in 1889, it was decided to
make the school at Oak Hill an industrial institution, he
donated two head of cattle to start the herd. He has ever
since taken a personal interest in the welfare of that insti-
tution. During recent years, he has made one or two visits
each year, for the purpose of delivering special lectures and
sermons to the young people gathered there. He thus
brought to them the encouragement of his own word and
example, in solving the problems of their education and life-
work.

REV WILEY HOMER 367

A COMMISSIONER TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

SIX TIMES

He has enjoyed the unusual distinction of having been
chosen a commissioner and to have represented his Pres-
bytery in the General Assembly, five times during the last
fourteen years as a minister, and once before as a ruling
elder, making six times in 24 years. The times and places
of these meetings were as follows: In 1889, New York; in
1899, Minneapolis; in 1901, Philadelphia; in 1903, Los An-
geles ; in 1905, Winona Lake, Ind. ; in 1913, Atlanta, Georgia.
In attending these great meetings he has passed over the
entire length and breadth of this land. To appreciate the
unusual character of this privilege and honor it is merely
necessary to state the fact, that the eminent man, who was
chosen Moderator of the Assembly at Atlanta in 1913, Rev.
John Timothy Stone, D. D. of Chicago, was attending the
Assembly on that occasion, the first time as a commissioner;
and Rev. Charles W. Stewart, the worthy founder of Pres-
byterianism among the Choctaw Freedmen, never so much
as got there once.

These frequent voluntary recognitions, on the part of
his brethren in the Presbytery, suggest the power of lead-
ership he has modestly, but always exercised among them.
His brethren have found him a wise and prudent counselor,
and an unselfish helper ; and he has always been held in the
highest esteem by them.

A LIFE-LONG LEADER OF THE CHURCH HE

FOUNDED

He has been a man of strong and positive convictions
and a persevering worker for the moral and spiritual uplift
of his people. He learned from his own early
expen'ence as a slave, the trials and urgent needs of

368 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

his people and, as the way became clear before him, he con-
secrated himself unreservedly to the promotion of their wel-
fare.

As a preacher he has emphasized the necessity of re-
pentance and forgiveness of sins, willing obedience to all the
commands of Christ, and the joyous rewards of faithful
service. As he surveys the progress of recent years, he
sees the fulfilment of Isaiah's prediction, "The people, that
walked in darkness, have seen a great light, they that
dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath
the light shined."

Thirty years have now passed, since he began to hold
the ever memorable meetings, in the little arbor in the tim-
ber. Ever since that date he has been the faithful Bible in-
structor of all the people, during the lesson hour of the Sun-
day school, and the resident pastor of the Presbyterian
church for twenty years. The cozy chapel, and the good con-
gregation of happy christian people, that regularly meet
there for worship and Bible study, are visible reminders of
his consecrated genius and unselfish devotion to the best in-
terests of his people.

"Dare to do right, dare to be true,
You have a work that no other can do."

"Since God is God and right is right,

Right the day shall win;
To doubt would be disloyalty,

To falter would be sin."

Wiley Homer and Laney Colbert were married in 1867
and their family consisted of ten children, of whom five
died in childhood and youth. Those that are living are
Susan, Mary Shoals, Hattie Lewis, Sarah Williams and Lin-
coln.

In 1890, after the death of Laney, he married Rhody
Tutt ; and in 1906, after her decease, Lizzie Homer.

REV. WILEY HOMER 369

In October 1912, he was granted by the Presbytery, an
honorable retirement from the performance of the public
duties required of the active ministry. As the sunset of
life approaches, and the shadows lengthen toward the clos-
ing day, he enjoys the consciousness of a well spent life, as
a source of comfort and consolation to sustain and strength-
en, until the recording angel shall proclaim, the gracious
benediction, "Well done good and faithful servant, enter thou
into the joy of thy Lord."

HAYSTACK MEETING

The use of the shadow of the oak tree, and later of the
arbor near it, as a place for prayer and worship, reminds
one of the historic prayer meeting that was held near Wil-
liamstown, in 1806, when Samuel J. Mills, and four other
students of Williams college, Newell, Nott, Hall and Judson,
met in the shadow of a haystack and united in prayer, that
God would fit them and prepare the way for them to carry
the gospel into heathen lands.

After making two tours to the southwest as far as
New Orleans, distributing and selling Bibles and organizing
Bible societies, Mills made the suggestion, that led to the
organization of the American Bible society in New York,
May 11, 1816; and to the Synod of New York, the plan of
educating negroes to carry the gospel to Africa. In 1817
he was sent as a missionary to Western Africa, including
Sierra Leone. He died on the homeward voyage and like
his friend Adoniram Judson, who went to farther India and
translated the Bible for the Burmese, was buried in the sea.

XLV

TRIBUTES TO OTHER MINISTERS AND

ELDERS

BUTLER. — COLBERT. — GLADMAN. — BRIDGES.— STARKS.—
MEADOWS. — AND ELDERS CRITTENDEN. —SHOALS. —
FOLSOM. — BUTLER.

"Walk about Zion and go round about her; tell the
towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her
palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following."

— David.

REV. WILLIAM BUTLER

"The kindly word, how far it goes along life's way!
The kindly smile, how it lights up a sad, gray day ;
The kindly deed, how it repays the doer."

— Mary D. Brine.

I^K^/fjEV. William Butler (B. 1859), pastor of St.
F^ y[ Paul Presbyterian church at Eagletown,

and of Forest church near Red River south
of Millerton, is a native of the community in
which he still lives. His parents, Abraham
and Nellie Butler, were the slaves of Pitchlyn and Howell,
Choctaws; and William was about seven, when freedom
was accorded the family in 1866. His home and work as a
minister until recently have been in localities remote from
the railway and good schools. The short period of one and a
half months was all the time he ever went to school. He
learned to read by a regular attendance at Sabbath school,
and by private study at the fireside. The Bible and the

(370)

WILLIAM BUTLER 371

Shorter Catechism were the books that occupied his spare
time and attention. As a natural result, he became a
christian and united with the church at an early age.

In 1885, at the age of twenty-six, he was ordained an
elder in the St. Paul Presbyterian church. He then began
to read the Bible to the congregation and to hold religious
meetings. While preparing himself for the work then in
hand, he was led to see the great need of more teachers and
preachers for the colored people, and, believing he could
render efficient service as a minister, he undertook a spec-
ial course of reading and instruction under Rev. John
Sleeper, his pastor, and later of Rev. E. G. Haymaker, sup-
erintendent of Oak Hill Academy, instructors who lived 12
and 35 miles distant, respectively.

In 1894 he was enrolled as a candidate for the ministry
under the Presbytery of Choctaw. Three years later he was
licensed by the Presbytery of Kiamichi and appointed the
stated supply of St. Paul and Forest churches. He has con-
tinued to serve these two congregations, faithfully and ac-
ceptably ever since that date, a period now of sixteen years.
His ordination occurred in 1902. Other fields, that he de-
veloped and served for short periods are, Bethany, two
years; Mount Gilead, one year; and Mount Pleasant, one
year.

A WINNER OF SOULS

Mr. Butler is a man, who experienced a hard struggle
in early life, in the effort to train himself for his life's work,
as a minister and farmer. He has overcome many of these
difficulties in a manner, that is very praiseworthy and com-
mendable.

He is a man, who carries with him a happy, hopeful
spirit, and a countenance full of good cheer. Seeing the need

372 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

of a religious leader among the people of his home com-
munity, he decided to fit himself to supply that need, and
has done so hitherto in an efficient and admirable manner.
To win souls to Christ and instruct them aright from the
word of God, have been his aims during his ministry. He
has been to the people an example in righteousness, and has
labored with faith and zeal in the vineyard of the Lord.

His annual visits to Oak Hill Academy during term time,
were always anticipated with considerable interest. They
were made the occasion for special evangelistic services, fol-
lowed with an opportunity for decisions ; and many times his
heart was gladdened at the close of the sermon, by seeing
more than a dozen of the young people manifest their de-
cision to live a Christian life.

The, -people, whom he serves regularly, have shown their
appreciation of his efficient and long continued work among
them, by according to him a loyal and constant support. He
has always lived in the wilderness far removed from the
railway, notwithstanding the fact the Frisco railway in
1902 passed through the country, lying between Eagletown
on the north and Forest church on the south. He has al-
ways had a pony circuit, of two or more rural churches,
widely separated. The faithful and acceptable service rend-
ered these widely distant churches, makes him a good rep-
resentative of the itinerant work of Parson Stewart, his
pioneer predecessor.

The following lines by Hastings, are an appropriate
prayer for all, who like Bro. Butler faithfully and patiently
minister to those, who dwell in the wilderness.

"O thou, who in the wilderness
The sheep, without a shepherd, didst bless,
Oh, bless thy servants, who proclaim
In every place thy wondrous name.

TRIBUTES TO OTHER MINISTERS 373

May voices in the wilderness,

Still with glad news the nations bless ;

And, as of old, in deserts cry,

'Repent', God's kingdom draweth nigh."

REV. RICHARD D. COLBERT

Rev. Richard D. Colbert of Grant, is one of the young
men, enlisted in the work of the church, by Parson Stew-
art. He attended Biddle University from October 1884 to
June 1887, three years, when he returned home, on account
of impaired health. Regaining his health after a few months,
he became a teacher and taught school eleven years during
the territorial period.

In the spring of 1897, he became a licentiate of the
Presbytery of Kiamichi, and two years later was assigned
the pastoral oversight of New Hope and Sandy Branch
churches. He was crdained in 1903. Most of his ministerial
labors have been devoted to Sandy Branch and Hebron
churches, serving the latter until 1913. As a result of ac-
cidents that happened in making the journey to the Hebron
church in 1911 he experienced the loss of an eye and other
injuries that resulted in total blindness in 1913. He en-
deavored to make a good record as a teacher and preacher,
and has served his generation faithfully.

REV. SAMUEL GLADMAN

Rev. Samuel Gladman, who died Jan. 11, 1913, at Eu-
faula, Okla, was a native of Westchester, Chester county,
Pa. During the early seventies he went to western Texas
and engaged in teaching. Sometime afterwards he was
licensed and ordained to the work of the gospel ministry.

In 1896, when the Presbytery of Kiamichi was organ-
ized, he was enrolled as one of its charter members. He was
then living at Atoka. During the next year he served New

374 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Hope and Sandy Branch churches, but continued to reside
in Atoka until 1900, when he located at Lukfata. Three
years later he took charge of Bethany, near Wheelock, and
in 1905, effected the organization of the church in the new-
town of Garvin. In 1910, he voluntarily resigned the work
at Bethany and the office of stated clerk of the Presbytery,
and located at Eufaula.

As a minister and lifelong teacher, he rendered a very
helpful service to the various communities, in which he
lived and labored.

REV. THOMPSON K. BRIDGES

Rev. Thompson K. Bridges, (B. Dec. 6, 1856), Luk-
fata, is a native of Ellisville, Jones county, Miss. He grew to
manhood and received his early education at Claiborne,
Jasper county. Later. he attended the city school at Mer-
idian, and then took a course in theology at Biddle uni-
versity. He began to teach public school at the age of 21
in 1877, and taught fourteen years in Mississippi. In 1891,
he located in Indian Territory, and has now taught sixteen
years in Oklahoma. In 1899 he was licensed to preach by
the Presbytery of Catawba and in April 1902 was ordained
by the same Presbytery. His first ministerial labors were
at Griffin, Indian Territory, where in 1903 he effected the
organization of the Ebenezer church. The next year he
continued to serve Ebenezer, but located at Lukfata, where
he has since continued to serve as the stated supply of the
Mount Gilead church, and teacher of the local school. He
served two years, 1904 and 1905, as stated clerk of the
Presbytery of Kiamichi.

Mr. Bridges has been a progressive teacher and min-
ister. In his youth, he formed the habit of having a good
book or paper always at hand to occupy his attention prof-

TRIBUTES TO OTHER MINISTERS 375

itably, whenever he had a spare moment. That habit of
private study in spare moments has enabled him to keep
abreast of the times, and the changes that have taken place
in recent years, by the addition of new branches of study
to the public school course. Ever since he began to render
service to his people as a teacher, he has made a highly
creditable record for efficiency and faithfulness. As he looks
forward to the future it is full of hope and bright prospects.
He has never ceased to be grateful, for the benevolent
aid, generously furnished him by the Presbyterian church
and Sunday school at Purcell, Okla., while he was pursuing
his theological studies at Biddle university. The persons,
whose names are most associated with these grateful mem-
ories, are those of the pastor, Rev. S. G. Fisher, and two of
the elders, Mr. Lotting and Will Blanchard. This generous
aid, which made possible an education for the gospel min-
istry, has led the recipient ever since to feel, that he is
under a special but very delightful obligation, to ronder to
the church a faithful and efficient service, as long as he
lives.

REV. WILLIAM J. STARKS

The Lord Jesus, who brought to the world the glad tid-
ings of the gospel often finds his messengers in strange or
unexpected places; and leads them, in remarkable ways to
the accomplishment of his purposes. No one can tell, what
is going on in the mind of a young man, brought under the
influence of the divine Spirit ; nor how deep the impressions,
that may "have been made upon the heart of those, who
naturally seem most unlikely to become heralds of the
gospel.

William J. Starks (born March 14, 1876), Garvin, is a
native of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. After completing

376 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

the grammar course in the public school of that place, he
prepared for college under special teachers.

The Falling Spring Presbyterian church of that city,
maintained a mission, that was attended by white and
black. Mr. J. M. McDowell, a white lawyer, was the sup-
erintendent of this mission. His special interest was awak-
ened in young Starks, by the fact he committed the entire
list of 107 questions and answers in the shorter catechism,
in one week after a copy was placed in his hands. The sup-
erintendent proposed, he undertake special studies under
him as his teacher. In 1897, he entered the college at Lin-
coln university and graduated from it in 1901, and from the
Theological department in 1904.

After one year spent in mission work at Mercersburg,
Pa., he became in 1905 the stated supply of the New Hope
church at Frogville, and in 1908, also of Sandy Branch. On
November 1, 1912, he became the successor of Rev. W. H.
Carroll at Garvin.

During .his residence of seven years at Frogville, he
maintained a six months term of school every year in the
chapel, serving the first five years as a mission teacher un-
der our Freedmen's Board, and the last two as a teacher of
public school. In September, 1910, he was elected stated
clerk oi the Presbytery of Kiamichi, and is still serving in
that capacity. In October, 1910, he served as moderator
of the synod of Canadian at Little Rock, Ark.

REV. PLANT SENIOR MEADOWS
Plant Senior Meadows, (Born Feb. 15, 1841) Shawnee-
town, is a native of Lewis county, Mo. At 17 in 1859, he was
sold by the administrator of the Cecil Home, and a sugar
planter at St. Mary's Parish, La., became his master. Here
he was employed at various kinds of mechanical work, until

TRIBUTES TO ELDERS 377

he was accorded his freedom, at 26 in 1865. Mrs. Cecil
taught him to read, and during this early period, he made
the best possible use of his spare moments, by reading all
the good books that were available. As soon as he was free,
he became a teacher and in connection with ministerial
duties taught twenty-two years in Texas, and since 1908, in
Shawneetown, Okla.

On Nov. 10, 1867, he was licensed and in 1869, ordained
to the full work of the gospel ministry, by the A. M. E.
church of Texas. After 41 years of faithful service in that
church, which included a term as presiding elder, in 1908
he located within the Presbytery of Kiamichi, Okla., and,
becoming a member of it, was placed in charge of the Pres-
byterian church at Shawneetown. Bethany and Pleasant
Hill have since been added to his field. He has made a good
record and is still doing splendid work at 73.

OAK HILL PIONEERS

Henry Crittenden, 1830-1894.

Teena Crittenden 1831-1898.

John Ross Shoals 1849-1885.

Hattie Crittenden Shoals, 1850-1909.

Henry Crittenden and Teena Crittenden his wife, John
Ross Shoals, his son-in-law and Hattie C. Shoals, his wife,
all of whom were buried in the Crittenden Burying Ground
near the old Crittenden pioneer home east of Valiant, were
four of the six original members of the Oak Hill church in
1869.

During the last years of the slavery period, they lived
in the neighborhood of Doaksville, and there enjoyed the
occasional privilege of attending Sabbath afternoon meet-
ings for the colored people, in the Choctaw Presbyterian
church. These meetings were at first conducted, by Rev.

378 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

Cyrus Kingsbury and Mrs. Charles Stewart, wife of the
storekeeper, and later by Parson Stewart. The instruction,
given by the parson, consisted principally in reading selec-
tions from the Bible and shorter catechism. The rest of
the time was spent in singing familiar hymns and giving
testimonies. They became Presbyterians and formed a part
of Parson Stewart's first congregation at that place.

When they were accorded their freedom about the year
1865, they chose their permanent location in the Oak Hill
neighborhood, about fifteen miles eastward. Parson Ste-
wart followed them, and began to hold occasional services
at the home of Henry Crittenden. He became the first elder
of the Oak Hill church, when it was organized in 1869, and
during the remaining 25 years of his life rendered a zealous
and faithful service.

Henry Crittenden enjoyed the reputation of being a
"master mechanic." During the slavery period, he was
trained as a blacksmith, tinsmith and carpenter, and later
acquired the art of repairing jewelry. Soon after he lo-
cated on the Crittenden land, he built a shop. His intelli-
gence and skill as a workman enabled him to attract custom-
ers from long distances. He was industrious and econom-
ical, and accumulated savings more rapidly than any of his
neighbors.

He was a firm believer in the Bible and a regular at-
tendant at church. He encouraged the establishment of
the Oak Hill Sunday school, of which J. Ross Shoals, his
son-in-law in 1875, became the first teacher. He furnished
most of the materials for the first frame school house in the
Oak Hill district in 1878, and in 1887, when it was used
in the erection of a larger building near the "Old Log
House" and since known as Oak Hill Academy, he covered
the deficit on the building estimated at $100.00.

HENRY CRITTENDEN

SIMON FOLSOM

ELIJAH BUTLER

'MRS. PERKINS STEWART

REV. C. L. PERKINS

MRS. R. D. ARNOLD

JOHNSON W. SHOALS
[378]

JAMES G. SHOALS

ISAAC JOHNSON

MATT AND MRS. BROWN

THE TEACHERS, 1899
Photo by Mattie Hunter

TRIBUTES TO ELDERS 379

He and Parson Stewart were the most influential of the
Choctaw Freedmen, in securing the establishment of Oak
Hill Academy, as a training school for teachers. He mani-
fested his joy, not only on the day of its lowly establish-
ment by Miss Hartford in February 1886, but at every suc-
cessive enlargement of its work, while he lived. He knew
better, than many of his fellow Freedmen, the value of
youthful training, and was enthusiastic in his zeal, to have
every family far and near take advantage of its open door.
An early teacher, who frequently heard him, writes: "He
was a dear, good old man, a remarkable man in many ways.
His ability to read was quite limited, but his voice was
splendid for service in meetings."

Teena Crittenden, his amiable wife, was as industrious
and frugal in the home, as her husband, in the shop and on
the farm. She was a devout christian, one that loved the
Bible and enjoyed the privilege of having a place at the
meeting for prayer. She died at 67 in 1898, having outlived
her husband four years.

John Ross Shoals, in addition to the Sabbath afternoon
meetings at Doaksville, took some additional night work,
that fitted him to become the first Sunday school teacher in
the Oak Hill neighborhood in 1875, and an efficient elder in
the church. He died at 36 in 1885, leaving to Hattie, his
wife, the responsibility of raising and educating a family of
nine children.

Hattie Crittenden Shoals inherited the industrious and
religious traits of her parents, in or near whose home she
always lived. She surpassed many of her people, in the in-
telligent forethought she manifested in all her plans, and in
the ability to exercise a correct judgment of men and con-
ditions.

380 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

" I mean to have my children begin life, at a higher
step than I did." This was an ambition oft expressed in the
presence of her children. She succeeded in giving all of
them a good education, by sending them first to Oak Hill
and then to other institutions, including Biddle university,
Scotia Seminary, Tuskeegee and the Iowa State Agricultural
college.

SIMON FOLSOM

Simon Folsom, one of the first elders of the Forest
Presbyterian church is now one of the oldest living repre-
sentatives of the slavery period. Nancy Brashears, his
third and present wife ,enjoys the distinction of having been
the most influential of the early leaders in effecting the or-
ganization of that church. He became an elder in 1887.
After twenty-six years of faithful service under very un-
favorable circumstances, he is still trying "to hold up for
the faith."

In 1901 he enjoyed the privilege of being one of the
commissioners of the Presbytery of Kiamichi, and attended
the meeting of the General Assembly in Philadelphia. Many
of the good things heard and fine impressions received on
that occasion, have never been forgotten, and they have fur-
nished him interesting themes, for many subsequent ad-
dresses. Though unable to read, he quotes the Bible as one
very familiar with that sacred book. He inherited a good
memory, that serves him well in public address, and he is
always happy and ready when it comes his turn to "speak
in meeting." His messages are always notes of joy and
gladness, and the ebb and flow of his voice in prayer often
seem like the chanting of a sacred melody.

He was an ardent supporter of the Oak Hill school and
two of his sons, Samuel and David, both now deceased, were

TRIBUTES TO ELDERS 381

among the brightest and most promising, that have attend-
ed that institution. He has been for many years the coffin
maker, for the people of his community, and both of these
boys became skilled carpenters. Samuel, after completing
the grammar course at Oak Hill, spent two years 1903-5
at Biddle University and served one year as a teacher at
Oak Hill. His skill as a workman and ability to serve as a
foreman of the carpenters, made it possible for the super-
intendent in 1910, to erect Elliott Hall by the labor of the
students and patrons of the Academy. Both worked faith-
fully on this building and died soon after its completion,
during the early months of 1912. Both were members and
Samuel an elder of the Oak Hill church.*

ELIJAH BUTLER

Elijah Butler, Lukfata, was an uncle of Rev. William
Butler. He was one of the early leaders in christian work
in what is now the northeast part of McCurtain county. In
1878, when St. Paul church was organized at Eagletown, he
was ordained as one of its first elders, and became an active
christian worker. A few years later he moved to Lukfata,
and when the Presbyterian church of that locality was or-
ganized, July 26, 1885, he and his son, Elisha Butler, were
chosen as two of the first elders of that church.

Elijah Butler, like Apollos of old, was a man, "fervent in
spirit," and was teaching others of the people, what he
knew of God and the Bible, when Parson Stewart first visit-
ed the Lukfata neighborhood. His zeal and faithfulness, in
magnifying the call of God to him to be a christian leader
among his people, suggested to them the propriety of nam-
ing their church, at the time of its organization "Mount
Gilead," the home of the prophet, Elijah, in his honor. As
an elder and christian worker, he "kept the faith" and "fin-
ished his course with joy."

*Simon died May 17, 1914,

XLVI

THE SYNOD OF CANADIAN

FIRST MEETING AT OKLAHOMA.— SECOND AT OAK HILL.—
AT GARVIN IN 1912.— AN UNINTENTIONAL INJUSTICE.—
GRATEFUL RECOGNITION.— WOMEN'S SYNODICAL MIS-
SIONARY SOCIETY.— DEPENDENT CONDITION OF THE
CHURCHES. — UNSYMPATHETIC ISOLATION. — EDUCA-
TIONAL INSTITUTIONS.— POPULAR MEETINGS.

"Christ loved the church and gave himself for it; that
he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water
by the word. That he might present it unto himself a glor-
ious church." — Paul.

CONSTITUTED IN 1907

>HE following is the enabling act of the Gen-
eral Assembly at Columbus, Ohio, May 24,
1907, establishing the synod of Canadian,
to consist of the colored Presbyterian min-
isters and churches in the states of Arkan-
sas and Oklahoma.

IT IS HEREBY ENACTED BY THE GENERAL

ASSEMBLY

"That the Synod of Canadian is hereby erected and
constituted, to consist of the Presbyteries of White River,
Kiamichi and Rendall; and the synod of Canadian, as thus
constituted, shall meet in the meeting place of the First
Colored Presbyterian congregation in Oklahoma City, on
Tuesday, the 8th day of October, 1907, at 7:30 o'clock p. m.;
that the Rev. W. L. Bethel shall preside until the election
of a Moderator, that the Rev. W. D. Feaster preach the op-
ening sermon and that elder J. H. A. Brazleton act as tem-
porary clerk, until the election of a stated and permanent
clerk."

(382)

THE SYNOD OF CANADIAN 383

The assembly at this time enlarged the boundary of
the Presbytery of Kiamichi so as to include the south half of
the state of Oklahoma and established the Presbytery of
Rendall to include the north half of it, the Canadian river,
and below its mouth the Arkansas river, forming the boun-
dary line between them.

It also enlarged the boundary of White River Presby-
tery to include all the colored Presbyterian ministers and
churches in the synod,or state, of Arkansas.

FIRST MEETING AT OKLAHOMA

The first meeting of the synod of Canadian, was held in
the colored Methodist church of Oklahoma City. The Pres-
bytery of Kiamichi was represented by 3 ministers and one
elder, namely, Rev. R. E. Flickinger, and Elder Jack A.
Thomas, representing Oak Hill church at Valliant, Rev. W.
H. Carroll, Garvin, and Rev. T. K. Bridges, Lukfata.

The Presbytery of Rendall was represented by Rev. W.
L. Bethel of Oklahoma, who served as moderator, John S.
May of Watonga ; William T. Wilson, Reevesville ; Oscar A.
Williams, M. D. Okmulgee; Samuel J. Grier, Guthrie; and
elder J. H. A. Brazleton of Oklahoma, who served as tem-
porary clerk.

The Presbytery of White River was not represented by
any ministers or elders.

The Oak Hill church was also represented by Miss Ma-
linda A. Hall, representing the Women's Missionary and
Christian Endeavor societies, and by Solomon H. Buchanan,
representing the Sunday school and Oak Hill Aid society.

At the first meeting, held on Tuesday evening, Oct. 8th,
a special address was delivered by Rev. William A. Provine,
D. D., representing the Board of Publication of the Cumber-
land Presbyterian church at Nashville, Tennessee. Another

384 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

visitor, who was present with him at this first meeting, al-
so delivered a short address in behalf of the cause he repre-
sented.

Inasmuch as White River Presbytery was not repre-
sented by a minister or elder, the sentiment prevailed, that
those present did not form a quorum, and nothing further
was done save to adjourn until the next morning.

At the meetings held on Wednesday morning and after-
noon considerable indisposition to organize was manifested
by most of those participating in the discussions, because
the colored people had not been previously consulted as to
their wishes, before the Synod of Canadian was established
by the General Assembly. As nothing further was accom-
plished the meeting was adjourned a third time.

On Wednesday evening Oct. 9th, after a sermon by
Rev. R. E. Flickinger, the Synod of Canadian was organized.
Rev. William L. Bethel was elected Moderator and elder J.
H. A. Brazleton, clerk. The principal business transacted
was the enrollment of delegates, the arrangement of the
standing committees and the appointment of a special com-
mittee, to prepare a set of standing rules to be submitted
at the next meeting.

SECOND MEETING AT OAK HILL

The second meeting of the Synod of Canadian was
held at Oak Hill Academy Oct. 1-4, 1908. The Presbytery of
Rendall was represented by Rev. W. L. Bethel, who deliv-
ered the opening sermon, and elder J. H. A. Brazleton of Ok-
lahoma. The Presbytery of White River was represented
only by Rev. W. A. Byrd, Ph. D., of Cotton Plant, Ark., and
he was elected Moderator. Rev. William H. Carroll of Gar-
vin was elected stated clerk, after the adoption of the stand-
ing rules presented by Rev. R. E. Flickinger. The meetings,

THE SYNOD OF CANADIAN 385

which included one in behalf of the Women's work, were
continued over Sabbath. •

In 1909 the Synod met at Okmulgee, Oklahoma. In
1910 it met at Little Rock, Arkansas, and Rev. W. J. Starks
of Frogville served as moderator. At this meeting a resolu-
tion was adopted establishing a Synodical Women's Mis-
sionary society by the appointment of Mrs. C. S. Mebane of
Hot Springs, president, and Miss Cassie Hollingsworth of
Little Rock,, Ark., secretary. The next meeting of synod
was held at Hot Springs, Ark., Oct. 6, 1911, and the fore-
going resolution was re-approved.

AT GARVIN IN 1912
On Oct. 3, 1912, the Synod of Canadian met in the new
Presbyterian church at Garvin, Okla., and the opening ser-
mon was delivered by Rev. C. S. Mebane, D. D., of Hot
Springs, in the absence of the moderator, Rev. A. M. Cald-
well. Rev. Virgil McPherson of Camden, Ark., was elected
moderator and Rev. M. L. Bethel of Oklahoma, temporary

clerk.

The representation and attendance at this meeting, the
sixth one, was greater than at any previous one. It con-
sisted of 15 ministers and 5 elders as follows:

C. S. Mebane, A. E. Rankin and Virgil McPherson from
the Presbytery of White River.

Martin L. Bethel, the Synodical Sunday school mis-
sionary, and J. S. May from the Presbytery of Rendall.

Wiley Homer, T. K. Bridges, R. E. Flickinger, William
Butler, R. D. Colbert, W. J. Starks, W. H. Carroll, the stated
clerk, N. S. Alverson, P. S. Meadows, J. A. Loving, and
elders, Calvin Burris, St. Paul, Solomon H. Buchanan, Oak
Hill; Lee V. Bibbs, Forest; T. H. Murchison, Garvin, and
William Harris, Hebron; from the Presbytery of Kiamichi.

386 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

At this meeting Rev. R. E. Flickinger presented his
fifth and last report on the work of the Board of Missions
for Freedmen. He had performed a leading part in effect-
ing the organization of the Synod, at a time when it lacked
a legal quorum, because of the previous order of the General
Assembly establishing it. The General Assembly at its
next meeting approved the organization and made it effec-
tive.

GRATEFUL RECOGNITION

The following words of grateful recognition have been
taken from the minutes of the synod of 1912, the first year
they have been printed.

Rev. R. E. Flickinger, superintendent of Alice Lee
Elliott School, in a lengthy and very pathetic address, made
known to synod his intention of giving up his charge and
returning to his home in Iowa.

The period of eight years which he spent in our midst
was ended with many deep regrets on the part of all with
and for whom he labored.

"His work as superintendent of Oak Hill Academy, now
called Alice Lee Elliott school, will be long remembered, for
he secured and permanently established the Oak Hill Farm,
and developed industrial features in the school far beyond
what was even expected. We cherish for him the feelings
of gratitude and appreciation, that belong to the unselfish
worker he was."

WOMEN'S SYNODICAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY
The Women's Missionary meeting at synod in Garvin
in 1912 was the first one at which a complete organization
was effected. It is therefore of historic interest.

The meeting was opened by Mrs. C. S. Mebane of Hot
Springs, convener, and she was later elected president. Mrs.

SYNOD OF CANADIAN 387

W. H. Carroll was elected secretary, Mrs. W. J. Stark, treas-
urer, Mrs. Emma P. White president of the Young People's
Work, and Miss Bertha L. Ahrens, corresponding secretary.
Others who were present and enrolled as members were
Mrs. M. L. Bethel, Mrs. Martha Folsom, Mrs. L. Walker,
Mrs. Nellie Milton, Sarah Milton, Ledocia Milton, Mrs.
Fidelia Murchison, Mrs. Garfield Lewis, Mrs. Ed. Thomas,
Mrs. Violet Shelton, Emma Beams, and Emma L. Carroll.

Ihe address at their popular meeting in the evening
was delivered by Rev. A. E. Rankin of Crockett, Texas ; and
a paper from Mrs. D. J. Wallace of Okmulgee was read by
Mrs. M. L. Bethel. Muskogee was chosen as the place for
the synodical meeting in 1913.

DEPENDENT CONDITION OF THE CHURCHES

The synod in 1913 the sixth year after its organization,
represents three Presbyteries, that include all our colored
ministers and churches in the states of Arkansas and Ok-
lahoma, and, since 1910, tho.se also that are in the east half
of Texas. Its roll includes 42 ministers and 46 churches,
whose membership of 1269 contributed to all local purposes,
such as maintenance of buildings and pastoral support, the
sum of $3,212.00. This is an average of less than $70.00
for each church in the synod and less than $48.00 each, for
the churches in Oklahomo and east Texas. This statement
indicates, that the ministers serving these churches are
almost wholly dependent for their income, on what they
receive from other sources, than the dependent congrega-
tions they serve, and, that only by the practice of the most
rigid economy, in personal expenses, is it possible for them
to make ends meet and maintain a good name in their re-
spective communities.

388 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

POPULAR EVENING MEETINGS
The evening meetings of synod and a part of the after-
noon sessions may be made very profitable to the local con-
gregation, by arranging before hand for special addresses

on the part of representatives of the Boards, or members of
the synod. There are some causes, such as education, evan-
gelism, the Freedmen and Women's work that are of popu-
lar interest, and a stirring address on these subjects is al-
ways appreciated. Such addresses are a means of instruc-
tion and serve to awaken popular enthusiasm.

Some synods have adopted the plan of holding an an-
nual Sunday school convention during the evening and day
preceding the meeting of the synod. These endeavor to
bring before the young Sunday school workers* the very
best speakers available, on the subjects to be discussed.

The arrangements for the popular addresses should
be made several weeks in advance, so the speakers may be
prepared and the people be duly notified.

BENEDICTION

"May the God of peace that brought again from the
dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep,
through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you
perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you,
that which is well pleasing in his sight through Jesus
Christ; to whom be dominion and glory for ever and ever.
Amen.

.. ■■:■-■

m^M:

^^^£m8h

>«/,■ *

^mW&8EB3BSBKi

THE SWEET POTATO FIELD, 1911

Looking north from the Frisco railway; the boys' temporary hall at the right.

[388]

TWO SETS OF PORTABLE ROOFS FOR SWEET POTATO PITS

1. A set of roofs set aside on their edges for the summer.

2. A set as they appear when set over a pit The ends are closed during Winter. Looking

northeast toward the rear of Elliott Hall.

PART IV

THE BIBLE IN THE PUBLIC
SCHOOL AND NATION

The two following chapters, relating to the supreme
importance of reading the Bible daily in every public school
of the land, are a supplement to the brief discussion of this
subject, that appears in the introductory part of this
volume.

•'Truth crashed to earth shall rise again,—

The eternal years of God are hers;
But Error, wounded, writhes in pain,

And dies among his worshippers."

"Truth forever on the scaffold;

Wrong forever on the throne;
Yet that scaffold sways the future;

And behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God, within the shadow,

Keeping watch above his own."

Queen Victoria said to the King of Siam: "England owes
her greatness to this book— The Open Bible."

The Bible, and the public school to make known to all the
children its moral principles and religious truths, have
brought liberty, greatness and enlargement to the United
States of America and Great Britain.

These two instrumentalities— the open Bible and public
school— will bring the needed blessings of intelligence, hap-
piness and prosperity to the people of the United States of
Mexico, of Central and South America, when they are ac-
corded a fair chance.

XLVII

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL

AN OUTGROWTH OF THE REFORMATION.— PORTO RICO.—
MISSION SCHOOLS.— COLONIAL SCHOOLS.— MASSACHU-
SETTS AND CONNECTICUT.— NEW YORK AND PENNSYL-
VANIA.— THE BIBLE, THE STANDARD OF MORALITY.—
RISE AND FALL OF INTOLERANCE.— DANIEL WEBSTER.
—THE BIBLE, THE FREEDMAN'S BEST BOOK.— THE
CHURCH, SUNDAY SCHOOL, PUBLIC SCHOOL.— ENCOUR-
AGING MOVEMENTS.

"Education is the cheap defense of a Nation." — Gar-
field.

"Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." — Solomon.

|HE public school is the general and perman-
ent agency for the education and uplift of
the colored people. Religious and indepen-
dent schools may do a splendid work in their
several localities, but the public school is in-
tended to be state-wide. It alone reaches the masses of
colored children, and it should receive its due share of the
public funds. The fact that they have not received any
thing like a fair share of the public funds, for their equip-
ment and support, has already been stated. This, to a great
extent, is an act of injustice. Conditions however are grad-
ually improving. They are made better as a good use is
made of present educational facilities, and earnest appeal
is made for more and better ones. A vast amount of self-
sacrificing work, on the part of teachers and parents, Is

(391)

392 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

needed to bring the schools of the Freedmen up to their
proper standard, and to secure them, where they are still
needed both in city and rural district.

The Freedman alone cannot do all that is needed, to
provide adequate educational facilities for all his people ; but
there is so much that may be done, in the way of awakening
local interest, supplying local deficiencies, and appealing for
more and better equipment, as to enlist the united and per-
sistent co-operation of all intelligent, public spirited Freed-
men.

AN OUTGROWTH OF THE REFORMATION

The public school system, in the United States, is an
outgrowth, or by-product of the Protestant Reformation of
the sixteenth century in Europe. Harvard college was es-
tablished at Cambridge, near Boston, in 1639, less than
twenty years after the first arrival of the Pilgrim Fathers.
Its object was to provide a supply of trained ministers and
christian teachers, to meet the rapidly growing needs of the
colony.

The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in For-
eign parts, organized in London, England, in 1701, aided the
colonists in the establishment of free schools, by sending
them donations and supplies of bibles and testaments. Chris-
tian teachers were employed in these free schools and two
of the text books used were the Bible and the New England
primer. This primer was illustrated with Bible pictures and
contained the shorter catechism.

These colonial free schools of New England were grad-
ually extended to the other colonies, but not without calling
forth some opposition in some of them, especially where
there was opposition to the use of the Bible. This fact has
been rendered quite memorable, by the rather unenviable

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL 393

remark of Governor Berkeley of Virginia in 1670, to the ef-
fect, "I thank God, there are no free schools in Virginia."

The scattered condition of the population rendered dif-
ficult and greatly retarded the progress of free schools in
the south. Planters were often widely separated, and many
of them preferred to send their children away to school, or
employ a private tutor for them. They did not care to pro-
vide schools for the Negroes.

When, by the adoption of the Constitution the colonies
became states, the protection of religion and encourage-
ment of education were left as they had been, as matters to
be considered by the legislatures of the several states. As
one state after another has been admitted to the Union, ex-
tending it over a vast extent of country, a system of public
education has been adopted in each, ranging from the rural
school to the state university. The system in every state
is quite complete and more or less efficient to accomplish
its objects. The entire system is due to the presence of the
Bible in our land, and especially during the formative per-
iod of our government. The states have deemed it neces-
sary to train the young and rising generation in the inter-
est of good government and progress.

As the church of the Reformation in Europe, and of
our forefathers in New England, found it necessary to es-
tablish academies, colleges and theological seminaries, in
order to train a constantly increasing supply of christian
teachers, statesmen and ministers, the states have real-
ized that it is their duty to maintain public and high schools,
in order to have an intelligent and prosperous citizenship;
and to maintain normal schools and universities, in order to
provide a sufficient number of professional teachers, leg-
islators, jurists and efficient captains of industry.

394 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

The system of public education in all the states is one,
of which every citizen of the land may well be proud, and
endeavor to take every possible advantage of it as teachers,
patrons and pupils.

PORTO RICO 1898-1913

A splendid illustration of its inestimable value has just
been received from Porto Rico. In 1898 when the United
States received the transfer of Porto Rico from Spain, it
had been for centuries under the control of Romanism. There
was then only one building on the island, specially erected
for school purposes, and more than eighty per cent of the
population could neither read nor write; and only 26,000
children had been enrolled as attending school. So rapid
has been the progress toward enlightenment and a better
civilization under Protestant American rule, that at the

end of fifteen years there are 40 school buildings and 162,
000 children are enrolled as attending school; and the num-
ber of the illiterate has been reduced from 80 to 14 per cent.

THE BIBLE AND CHRISTIAN TEACHERS
One is now ready to inquire, "Wherein does our splen-
did system of public education differ from that provided by
the various Protestant denominations, in their mission
schools, academies, colleges and universities ?

Both are essential to the well-being of the state. They
are two strong pillars that, supplementing and standing
near each other, support the power and promote the ma-
terial prosperity of the state. Their mutual relation is
aptly expressed, by the sentiment of the two brothers on
the shield of Kentucky, "United we stand, divided we fall."
They look so nearly alike in buildings and equipment, the
passing observer sees little or no difference in their out-
ward appearance.

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL 395

Nevertheless there is often a difference in their objects
and products, which has already been noted, and in the
means employed to accomplish these objects. This differ-
ence is fundamental. It is found in the law of their estab-
lishment.

In the admirable system of public education in the state
of Iowa, which is second to none in the land for the goodness
and greatness of its beneficent results, there is found the
following statute, and it is a fair illustration of similar stat-
utes in other states.

"The Bible shall not be excluded from any public school
or institution in this state, nor shall any pupil be required to
read it contrary to the wishes of his parents or guardian."
Sec. 1764.

This statute takes it for granted the Bible is in the
schools, and that is excellent; it has also a concession and
the latter often prevails. Many Jews read only the old
Testament, and many Catholics out of regard for the pope,
a foreign potentate, think they ought not to read any part
of the Bible. The state is a secular power and the result,
of this concession to religious freedom, is, that the Bible
and the Christian teacher, in many localities, are not re-
garded as essential features of its educational work.

This leaves the moral character and relative value of
our public schools, to a considerable extent, to the caprice of
those who are in the majority or authority, as directors and
teachers in any particular community. In christian com-
munities they are invariably found exerting a christian in-
fluence.

The Bible and the christian teacher are essential for the
accomplishment of the greatest good. These are seldom
separated, and when they are found together in the public

396 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

school, it becomes a fountain of elevating christian influ-
ences. This privilige is enjoyed by many of our communities,
where the supply of christian teachers is equal to the de-
mand.

This discussion of the public school has been included
here, for the general knowledge of christian families
among the colored people. Since the enactment of laws,
limiting the teachers in the public schools of the colored
people, to those of the "colored persuasion," there is now,
and will continue to be, an ever increasing demand for cap-
able christian teachers. Christian teachers come from
christian homes and christian schools.

COLONIAL SCHOOLS

The historic facts, showing that the open Bible has been
the corner-stone of the American public school system, have
been so interesting and suggestive to the author, as to lead
him to take the initiative, in effecting and maintaining a
local Bible society in Fonda, and to make the distribution
of the Scriptures among the people, a special feature of his
ministry there, and later at Oak Hill Academy. The hope
is indulged, that the following facts, relating to the place
accorded the Bible in the schools of the colonies, will prove
of interest to every reader, especially among the Freedmen.

Our fore fathers and the stalwart statesmen of their
day, were not led astray by the "higher" or more properly
called destructive criticism and infidelity, that is now per-
meating much of the literature of our day to the great injury
of all who are influenced by it. Indebted to the Scriptures
for their ideas of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happi-
ness," and, prizing them as the foundation of their civil and
ecclesiastical privileges, they manifested both their sense
of obligation to them and dependence upon them, by mak-

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL 397

ing them the corner stone of every institution they estab-
lished. The word of God in their hand, like a pillar of cloud
by day and of fire by night, led them to locate in this land,
awakened in them the spirit of heroism amid all their pri-
vations and sufferings, and served as their common guide
and comforter, in all their struggles and progress.

If there are any who have the right to judge and to
have their judgment respected, as to the nature of the edu-
cation needed in this republic, surely those men of sagacity,
patriotism, piety and comprehensive statesmanship, who
founded both the system of education and the Republic, are
among the number.

During the Colonial period the towns were little re-
publics, with the Bible for their foundation, and their
schools were established for general instruction in that
book. The exclusion of the Bible from those early schools
would have been repugnant to their founders. They re-
garded the Bible not merely as an authoritative book in
all matters of conscience, but as the charter of their liber-
ty and their guide to the independent ownership of land.

MASSACHUSETTS

The Colony of Massachusetts Bay, as early as 1647,
less than twenty years from the date of their first charter,
made provision by law, for the support of schools at the pub-
lic expense ; for instruction in reading and writing in every
town containing fifty families, and grammar schools in
those containing one hundred families. This noble foun-
dation suggests the religious foresight that laid it. The pre-
amble to this school law contained the following motives:
"It being one chief object of Satan to keep men from the
knowledge of the Scriptures, as in former times keeping
them in unknown tongues, therefore, that learning may not

398 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

be buried in the graves of our fore fathers, the Lord as-
sisting our endeavors, it is ordered," etc.

Horace Mann, secretary of the Massachusetts Board
of Education, has left on record this noble testimony for
all the teachers of our country. "As educators, as friends
and sustainers of the common school system, our great
duty is to impart to the children of the commonwealth the
greatest practicable amount of useful knowledge; to culti-
vate in them a sacred regard for truth, to keep them un-
spotted from the world; to train them to love God and also
their fellow men; to make the perfect example of Jesus
Christ lovely in their eyes ; to give to all so much religious
instruction, as is compatible with the rights of others and
the gains of our government, so that, when they arrive at
the years of maturity, they may intelligently enjoy the in-
violable prerogatives of private judgment and self -direction,
the acknowledged birthright of every human being."

Rufus Choate, the eminent statesman and jurist in one of
his orations very emphatically exclaimed : "Banish the Bible
from our public schools? Never! So long as a piece of
Plymouth Rock remains big enough to make a gun-flint."
This is an expression of true patriotism on the part of one,
who knew well the history and cost of American freedom.
"He is the freeman, whom the truth makes free."

CONNECTICUT

In the Colony of Connecticut as early as 1656, explicit
laws were added to the general law by which the schools
were first established, and constables were required to take
care ,"That all their children and apprentices, as they grow
capable, may through God's blessing attain at least so much
as to be able to read the Scriptures, and other good books in
the English tongue."

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL 399

"The schools of this state" says the state school Jour-
nal, "were founded and supported chiefly for the purpose
of perpetuating civil and religious knowledge and liberty, as
the early laws of the colony explicitly declare. Those laws,
published in the first number of this Journal declare, that
the chief means to be used to attain these objects, was the
reading of the Holy Scriptures."

This enlightened policy of the Puritans, in regard to the
establishment of free schools, for the general dissemination
of a knowledge of the Bible and the development of a pure
morality among the young, was a great step in advance of
all the countries in the old world. The results have won-
derfully justified their wisdom and forethought. The
schools they established, having the Bible as a universal
text book and basis of moral instruction, became nurseries
of piety and knowledge. The very thought of excluding the
Bible from schools, they had established with great sacri-
fice for its special study, would have been received with a
shudder of horror.

"The interests of education," says Chancellor Kent,
chief justice of New York, "had engaged the attention of
the New England colonists, from the earliest settlement of
the country, and the system of common and grammar
schools, and of academical and collegiate instruction, was
interwoven with the primitive views of the Puritans.
Everything in their genius and disposition was favorable to
the growth of freedom and learning. They were a grave,
thinking people, having a lofty and determined purpose.
The first emigrants had studied the oracles of truth as a
text book, and they were profoundly affected by the plain
commands, awful sanctions, sublime views, hopes and con-
solations, that accompanied the revelation of life and im-

400 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

mortality. The avowed object, of their emigration to New
England, was to enjoy and propagate the Reformed faith, in
the purity of its discipline and worship. They intended to
found republics on the basis of Christianity, and to secure
religious liberty, under the auspices of a commonwealth.
With this primary view, they were early led to make strict
provision for common school education, and the religious
instruction of the people. The Word of God was at that
time almost the sole object of their solicitude and studies,
and the principal design, in emigrating to the banks of the
Connecticut, was to preserve the liberty and purity of the
gospel. We meet with the system of common schools, in
the earliest of the Colonial records. Provision was made for
the support of schools in each town, and a grammar school
in each county. This system of free schools, sustained by
law, has been attended with momentous results ; and it has
communicated, to the people, the blessings of order and se-
curity, to an extent never before surpassed in the annals
of mankind."

STATE OF NEW YORK

George Clinton, the first governor, in presenting the
matter of public education to the first legislature of New
York, used the following language: "Neglect of the educa-
tion of youth is one of the evils consequent upon the evils
of war. There is scarcely anything more worthy your at-
tention, than the revival and encouragement of seminaries
of learning; and nothing by which we can more satisfact-
orily express our gratitude to the Supreme Being for his past
favors, since piety and virtue are generally the offspring of
an enlightened understanding."

Later, when the phrase "Common schools" had come
into use, he emphasized morals and religion as their fore-

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL 401

most objects. "The advantage to morals, religion, liberty
and good government, arising from the general diffusion of
knowledge, being universally admitted, permit me to rec-
ommend this subject to your deliberate attention."

In 1804, his successor, Governor Lewis, emphasized the
necessity of establishing common schools in the following
words: "In a government resting on public opinion, and
deriving its chief support from the affections of the peo-
ple, religion and morality cannot be too sedulously incul-
cated. Common schools, under the guidance of respectable
teachers, should be established in every village and the
poor be educated at the public expense."

In 1810, his successor, Governor Tompkins, brought the
matter anew to the attention of the legislature. "I cannot
omit inviting your attention to the means of instruction for
the rising generation. To enable them to perceive and duly
estimate their rights, to inculcate correct principles, and
habits of morality and religion, and to render them useful
citizens, a competent provision for their education is all es-
sential."

In 1811, in response to these successive appeals, the leg-
islature of New York appointed five commissioners, to re-
port a system for the organization and establishment of
common schools to carry forward the educational work, that
had been previously maintained by the voluntary contribu-
tions of christian people in their various communities.

These commissioners, in their report, recommending
the establishment of common schools for the state of New
York, expressed their own sentiments and those of the peo-
ple they represented, as follows :

"The people must possess both intelligence and virtue ;
intelligence to perceive what is right, and virtue to do what

402 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

is right. Our republic may justly be said to be founded on
the intelligence and virtue of the people, and to maintain it,
'the whole force of education is required.' The establish-
ment of common schools appears to be the best plan, that
can be devised, to disseminate religion, morality and learn-
ing, throughout a whole country."

In referring to the branches to be taught there is add-
ed in this report, as follows: "Reading, writing, arithmetic
and the principles of morality (Bible) are essential to every
person, however humble, his situation in life. Morality and
religion are the foundation of all that is truly great and good
and are consequently of primary importance."

After calling attention to the "absolute necessity of
suitable qualifications on the part of the master," the re-
port continues in regard to the Bible, as one of the books
to be used:

"Connected with the introduction of suitable books, the
commissioners take the liberty of suggesting that some ob-
servations and advice, touching the reading of the Bible in
the schools, might be salutary. In order to render the
sacred volume productive of the greatest advantage, it
should be held in a very different light, from that of a com-
mon school book. It should be regarded, not merely as a
book for literary improvement, but as inculcating great
and indispensable moral truths. With these impressions,
the commissioners are induced to recommend the practice,
introduced into the New York Free School, of having select
chapters read at the opening of the school in the morning
and the like at the close in the afternoon. This is deemed
the best mode of preserving the religious regard, which i»
due to the sacred writings."

This admirable report closes with these significant

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL 403

words: ''The American empire is founded, on the virtue
and intelligence of the people. The commissioners cannot
but hope that that Being, who rules the universe in justice
and mercy, who rewards virtue and punishes vice, will grac-
iously deign to smile benignly, on the humble efforts of a
people in a cause purely his own ; and that he will manifest
this pleasure, in the lasting prosperity of our country."

The public school system of New York, with the Bible
as its corner stone, was established the next year, 18 1 2. Ten
years later, Governor DeWitt Clinton, encouraging their lib-
eral support, said, "The first duty of a state is to render its
citizens virtuous, by intellectual instruction and moral dis-
cipline, by enlightening their minds, purifying their hearts
and teaching them their rights and obligations."
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA

The status of the Bible, in the early schools of Pennsyl-
vania, may be gathered from the following extract from a
report, approved by the National Convention of the friends
of public education, that met in Philadelphia in 1850.

"In the common schools, which are open for the in-
struction of the children of all denominations there are
many whose religious education is neglected by their par-
ents, and who will grow up in vice and irreligion, unless they
receive it from the common school teacher. It seems to us
to be the duty of the state, to provide for the education of
all the children, morally as well as intellectually; and to
require all teachers of youth, to train the children in the
knowledge and practice of the principles of virtue and piety.

"The Bible should be introduced and read in all the
schools in our land. It should be read as a devotional exer-
cise, and be regarded by teachers and scholars, as the text
book of morals and religion. The children should early be

404 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

impressed with the conviction, that it was written by in-
spiration of God, and that their lives should be regulated
by its precepts. They should be taught to regard it, as
their manual of piety, justice, veracity, chastity, temper-
ance, benevolence and of all excellent virtues. They should
look upon this book, as the highest tribunal to which we
can appeal, for the decision of moral questions ; and its plain
declarations, as the end of all debate."

It was about the year 1840, that the Catholics in
Pennsylvania began to manifest opposition to the reading
of the Bible, in the schools of that state. In view of this
opposition the board of directors, for the Fourth section in
Philadelphia, adopted the following resolutions:

(1) "That we will ever insist on the reading of the
Bible, without note or comment in our public schools ; because
we believe it to be the Word of God, and know that such is
the will, of the vast majority of the commonwealth.

(2) "That we look on the effort of sectarians to di-
vide the school fund, as an insidious attempt to lay the axe
at the root of our noble public school system, the benefits
of which are every day manifested in the training of our
youth.

(3) "That we will use every means proper for chris-
tians and citizens to employ to maintain our present school
system, and to insure the continuance of the reading of
God's holy word in all our schools."

BOARD OF NATIONAL EDUCATION

The constitution of the Board of National Popular Edu-
cation contains in its sixth article, the following pledge, as
one required of teachers, as well as the board. "The daily
use of the Bible in their several schools, as the basis of that

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL 405

sound christian education, to the support and extension of
which, the board is solemnly pledged."

In its fifth annual report, which is for the year 1852, the
the necessity of a free and open Bible in our common schools
was emphasized as the only possible way, in which our
nation can continue to be self -governed. The Bible, for the
masses, is God's great instrument for governing men and
nations. "There is but one alternative," said Mr. Sawtell,
"God will have men and nations governed; and they must
be governed by one of the two instruments, an open Bible
with its hallowed influences, or a standing army with brist-
ling bayonets. One is the product of God's wisdom; the
other, of man's folly ; and that nation that discards or will
not yield to the moral power of the one, must submit to the
brute force of the other. The open Bible, in our schools,
is the secret of our ability to govern ourselves. Take from
us the open Bible and, like Samson shorn of his locks, we
would become as weak as any other people. Take away the
Bible, and like Italy, Austria and Russia, we would need
a despot on a throne, and a standing army of a half -million
to keep the populace in subjection."

JESUS, THE GREAT TEACHER
It was our Lord Jesus himself, who said, "Suffer little
children to come unto me, and forbid them not." He did not
suggest, that they be sent for moral instruction to the
schools of the Pharisees, or the unbelieving Sadducees, but
that they should come to him, and receive his word and bless-
ing. He saw no sectarianism in the message of love, life
and forgiveness, he brought from the Father; for he des-
cribed it, as, "living water," "living bread which came down
from heaven," "the light of the world," and its object, "that
they might have life more abundantly." He knew, it was a

406 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

matter of utmost importance to every individual, to receive

that message in childhood and youth.

THE BIBLE, THE STANDARD OF MORALITY

The Word of God is supreme in all matters of con-
science or morality. The man, whose conscience is in har-
mony with the Word of God, must be recognized as on the
side of God and right. Elijah on Mount Carmel, having on-
ly the Word of God, prevails over four hundred misguided
prophets of Baal. When those, who were prejudiced against
the gospel in the days of Peter, imprisoned and undertook to
silence him and others, he gave the right answer, when he
said, "We ought to obey God rather than men." Peter and
Elijah, teaching the Word of God, were progressive up-
builders of the Kingdom of God, while their suppressors
were merely blind opposers and destructionists. The en-
lightened consciences of Peter and Elijah were of more value
and more to be respected, than those of the hosts of souls,
in the darkness of unbelief, arrayed against them. Whilst
the work of Peter and the apostles tended to make the
world better, and better men of all their opposers, the work
of the latter, tended to put a real check, on the cause of hu-
man progress. Those, who opppose the reading of the
Scriptures in the public schools of this, or any other land,
commit the very same folly.

The Bible is the Word of God to all mankind. It is his
provision for our intellectual, moral and spiritual natures,
as the light, air, water and food have been provided for our
physical natures. It was originally written in the language
of the people to whom it was given, the Old Testament in
Hebrew to the Hebrews; and the New Testament in Greek
to the Greek speaking Jews, in the time of Christ.

Our English version was made from the original lang-

Home of the late Caroline Prince.

406

New Home, Mrs. Sam Harris.

Representative Homes of Choctaw Freedmen, near Oak Hill.

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THE PUBLIC SCHOOL 407

uages in the time of King James, and it is an error in judg-
ment to call it, either a Protestant or Sectarian Bible. There
is, indeed, a sectarian version of the Bible in use in this
country. It is printed in the latin language, the language of
pagan Rome, which the common people no longer use or un-
derstand.

It seems a queer freak of our human nature, that those
who use the Bible in a dead, foreign language, unsuited for
use in our public schools, should call our English version of
the scriptures a sectarian book, and then oppose its use in
our public schools.

Our English version of the Scriptures is no more a sec-
tarian book, than are the ordinary books on astronomy,
geology, botany, and natural history. Nevertheless when
Romanists oppose its use, others of all sorts in the com-
munity, who like them need its gracious message of light,
life and love, but instead profess not to regard it as a mes-
sage from God, are liable to unite with them in their un-
fortunate opposition.

No one has an inherent right, to exclude the Bible from
the public schools of America. As the one authoritative book
of God, it ought to be there. As the charter of American lib-
erty, and the corner stone of our system of public education
and jurisprudence, it ought to be there. No one has any
more right to exclude the Bible from the public schools of
America, than he has to exclude the sun, for both are God's
own provision of light. It is intended of God to be the one un-
changing standard of morality and purity, for old and
young; and to be as free for all, as the common air that
we breathe. Its use, at an early age, tends to develop the
conservative principles of virtue and knowledge, which serve
as the world's best protectors against ignorance, barbarism
and vice.

408 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

RISE AND FALL OF INTOLERANCE

Excluding the Bible, from the public schools of Ameri-
ca, is an old world innovation. In some countries of Europe,
books on science, literature or philosophy have not been per-
mitted to be published, without the previous approval of the
government. "The Bible itself, the common inheritance, not
merely of Christendom, but of the world, has been put ex-
clusively under the control of government, and has not been
allowed to be seen, heard, or read, except in a language un-
known to the common inhabitants of the country. To pub-
lish a translation in the language of the people, has been in
former times a flagrant offense." (Story on the Constitution,
page 263.)

The popes, as early as the eighth century, condemned
the circulation and reading of all writings unfriendly to
the papacy. In 1515, after the art of printing had been in-
vented, the papal decree was issued, "That no book should
be printed without previous examination by the proper ec-
clesiastical authority, the Inquisition. The books prohib-
ited by it included the bible in the English and German lan-
guages, and all the books published by Luther, Calvin,
Zwingli and other Reformers. While the Reformers were
called, heresiarchs, they proved themselves to be the world's
greatest benefactors, by giving the people the Bible.

When Roman Catholicism was the state religion of
Italy, France, Spain and Britain, it was intolerant, and by
massacres and persecutions endeavored to suppress the
reading of the Bible and also its publication in the language
of the people.

In 1531, when the bishops were almost universally
statesmen, lawyers or diplomats. Henry, the King of Eng-
land, by an act of parliament, which consisted of a convoca-

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL 409

tion of the clergy, became the recognized head of the church
in England, instead of the pope at Rome. The principle now
begins to prevail, that "Truth possesses the power to defend
itself." As a result Wiclif, Tyndale, Sir Thomas More,
Thomas Cromwell, Archbishop Cranmer, Miles Coverdale
and others, with the approval of the king successively, en-
courage the translation, publication and circulation of the
Scriptures among the clergy and people. It was at this time
and in this way, that the principle of toleration in matters
of religion had its beginning, and the first check was put
upon the cruel intolerance of the church of Rome in Eng-
land. The church of England, episcopal in form then be-
came the established, or state church; and it is so still, but
the king is no longer the head of it and the parliament no
longer consists of the clergy, as in the days of King James.
It was in 1566 that the Puritans, followers of Calvin and
other foreign reformers, withdrew from the established
church of England, because they did not approve all the
forms and ceremonies, then required in the public worship
of the established church.

The official act of religious toleration in England was
passed during the reign of William III, 1689-1702, (and
Mary), who, as the prince of Orange and founder of the
Dutch republic in 1680, had previously distinguished him-
self as the friend of liberty.

Roger Williams, founder of the Colony of Rhode Island
1636 to 1647, established there the first government in
America, upon the principle of universal toleration. William
Penn, founder and proprietor of Pennsylvania, in 1684 in-
corporated the same principle in the government of that
colony; and, as the expression of his own views and senti-
ments, respecting religion and civil government. These

410 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

men exercised government, by instilling into the minds of
the people the principles of religion, morality, forbearance
and friendship. Americans do well to cherish the memory
of these men, who wrought so nobly a century before the
American Revolution.

NOBLE DEFENSE BY DANIEL WEBSTER
Our American public school system represents the ac-
cumulated wisdom of many generations of Bible readers,
and in promoting it we preserve for future generations the
foundations so wisely laid in the earlier years of our history.
Daniel Webster, one of the advocates of the system
and early defenders of the Bible in it, stated its fundamental
principle when he said, "In all cases there is nothing, that
we look for with more certainty, than this general prin-
ciple, that Christianity is part of the law of this land." He
explained its object and motive in the following passage,
which is worthy to be repeated in every generation.

"We seek to educate the people. We seek to improve
men's moral and religious condition. In short, we seek to
work upon mind as well as upon matter; and this tends to
enlarge the intellect and heart of man. We know that when
we work upon materials, immortal and imperishable, that
they will bear the impress which we place upon them,
through endless ages to come. If we work upon marble, it
will perish; if we work upon brass, time will efface it. If
we rear temples, they will crumble to the dust. But, if we
work on men's immortal minds — if we imbue them with
high principles, with the just fear of God, and of their fel-
low men, — we engrave on those tablets, something which
no time can efface, but which will brighten and brighten to
all eternity."

The exclusion of the Bible from the public schools in

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL 411

New York state had its rise in 1838 and concerning this
movement, Mr. Webster said, "This is a question which in
its decision is to influence the happiness, the temporal and
the eternal welfare of one hundred millions of human beings,
alive and to be born in this land. Its decision will give a hue
to the character of our institutions. There can be no char-
ity in that system of instruction from which the Bible, the
basis of Christianity, is excluded."

The public school, with daily instruction to the young
in the Bible, is an American system of education. It had
its origin in the belief of its founders, that general instruc-
tion in the Bible was essential to the permanency of that
freedom, civil and religious, and that independent owner-
ship of land, they came to America to enjoy. If the early
Pilgrims, more particularly those of Massachusetts and Con-
necticut, had not struggled and toiled for this great object,
and if they had not been immediately succeeded by men,
who imbibed a large portion of the same spirit, the free
school system of New England would never have been ex-
tended to all parts of our land. We have inherited the public
school through the Bible, and the feeling prevails, that only
by maintaining a general knowledge of the Bible, among the
young and rising generation through it can the countless
blessings, that flow from it, be conserved for future gener-
ations.

THE FREEDMAN'S BEST BOOK
These historic facts, relating to the original establish-
ment of free schools among the colonies, during the period
of the early settlement of this country, and the place ac-
corded the Bible in them by their faithful founders, are well
suited to be suggestive, and to prove an inspiration to every
friend of freedom, to promote the good cause of maintaining

412 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

the daily reading of the Bible, in all of our public schools at
the present time.

Christian parents among the Freedmen, having child
ren that are bright and studious, are encouraged by these
facts, to train one or more of them to be teachers and help-
ers, in promoting the educational and moral uplift of the
race. All are encouraged to co-operate with your teachers,
in making the public school of your neighborhood, an at-
tractive and inviting place for your own and your neigh-
bor's children.

Send the children regularly to school during the term,
for the terms are short. Do all you can, as long as you live,
to supply your public schools with bibles and christian teach-
ers, in order that they may attain the highest degree of ef-
ficiency, and bring the greatest amount of public good, to
you and your children. Remember, that the Bible is the
mother of the public school and that it awakens a desire
for more knowledge, drives back the darkness of ignorance
and inspires the courage to do right.

Many have been led astray by reading bad books and
papers, but none from reading the Bible. Its blessings of
comfort and guidance to individuals, and of civil and re-
ligious liberty to nations, have come to us like the dew of
Hermon, that made "the wilderness and solitary place to be
glad, and the desert to rejoice and blossom as the rose."

In view of these important historic facts, it is certain-
ly strange that any parents, who permit their children to
read all sorts of trashy and worthless books, without pro-
test, should pretend they do not want them to read the Bible,
the one infallible and incomparable book, that does not" Be-
come old and out-of-date like the best of other books, but
is as fresh and life giving to day as twenty centuries ago.

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL 413

The number of those, who have opposed the reading
of the Bible in the public schools have comprised but a small
part of the entire population of our land, and they have al-
ways represented that part of it, that have most needed its
enlightening and uplifting influence.

One million immigrants from other lands are now com-
ing to our shores every year, that they may enjoy the civil
and religious privileges, that have here been secured,
through the influence of the Bible. One of their greatest
needs, immediately on their arrival, is faithful instruction
in the living and eternal truths of God's Holy Word, that
they may know and understand the genius or spirit of our
American, civil and religious institutions.

There is urgent need to day for more of that holy com-
pulsion that Jesus exercised, when, surrounded by a lot of
hungry people, he required the disciples to "Make the men sit
down," and then added, "Give ye them to eat."

THE CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL

When Jesus said, "The son of man came not to be min-
istered unto but to minister," he gave to the world one of
its clearest visions of the Kingdom of God, and his own, the
highest ideal of life, the one that produces the noblest type
of manhood.

It is the great business of the church to bring all its
children and youth to this true conception of life, and it
aims to do this through the christian home, the Sunday
school, young peoples' meetings and church services. But
these alone are not adequate, to reach all the children and
youth of the land, including those of the one million immi-
grants, arriving annually from other lands.

Margaret Slattery in the Charm of the Impossible has
very truly remarked:

414 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

"Men of all creeds and of none agree, that religious in-
struction ought to be given, to all the children and youth of
the lasd, but the task of attempting it is a tremendous one,
and the best manner of doing it is not clear to all. Some say-
religious instruction should be given in the home. This is
usually done, in the intelligent christian home ; but there are
many homes, where it is impossible, and others indisposed.
The fact that the church has seen, as if with a new vision,
the method of Jesus, the Great Teacher of all men, reveals
itself more clearly in the Sunday school, than in any other
department of its work. There it attempts the task of re-
ligious education by instruction from the Bible, and en-
deavors to inspire the child, youth and man with the purest
and greatest motives for action."

MAKE THE PUBLIC, A BIBLE SCHOOL

There is, however, no instrumentality in our country,
so convenient and favorable for giving all the children and
youth of our land a general knowledge of the Bible, as the
public school. The Bible is the embodiment of all lofty ideals,
and when it is daily read in all of our schools, there is in
them a uniform standard of morals. Schools, that neglect
or suppress the daily reading of the Bible, do not keep the
vision of those attending them on the christian ideal, or de-
velop the christian motive in them, during the most im-
pressionable period of their lives.

The Bible is the light of the intellect, the fore runner
of civilization, the charter of true liberty and secret of na-
tional greatness. The Bible is the one, all-important book
for the Freedmen and their children. Its weekly use, in
the church and Sunday school, is to be appreciated and pro-
moted; but the home and the public school are the golden

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL 415

places, where its daily use should be required, and the op-
portunity be magnified.

American patriotism relies on the public school, con-
ducted with moral and social aims, as the one preeminent,
assimilating agency to bind together the older and newer
elements of our population, in a common devotion to our
common country. It has been "America's greatest civil
glory and chief civil hope." The enthusiasm, that led to its
establishment, was well nigh sacred. It needs to day the
support of a public spirit, that will insist on the restoration
of the daily reading of the Bible, as the basis of moral in-
struction in it.

Concerning its educational value President Woodrow
Wilson has recently very truthfully said, "The educational
value of the Bible is, that it both awakens the spirit to its
finest and only true action, and acquaints the student with
the noblest body of literature in existence; a body of liter-
ature, having in it more mental and imaginative stimulus,
than any other body of writings. A man has deprived him-
self of the best there is in the world, who has deprived him-
self of the Bible."

How true to day is Paul's description of the people that
were living without the Bible in his day. He describes them
as "filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness,
covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, deceit,
haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil
things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, un-
merciful.""

Our own and every heathen land furnishes abundant
proofs, that whenever the gracious promises of the Bible
are gratefully received, the proud become humble, the dis-

*Rom. 1. 27.

416 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

obedient dutiful, the drunkard sober, the dishonest, honor-
able; the profligate, prudent; and the miserable become
happy. Nothing else has ever done this, but the gospel of
Christ always does it, when gratefully received.

ENCOURAGING MOVEMENTS
The legislature of Pennsylvania, in 1913, restored the
use of the Bible in the public schools of that state, by a stat-
ute requiring the daily reading of at least ten verses of the
Bible, in the hearing of all the pupils under every teacher,
and making a neglect of this duty a proper cause, for the
suspension of the teacher.

The National Reform Association at its last meeting in
Portland, Oregon, in 1913, resolved to raise $25,000, for the
purpose of undertaking to place a copy of the Bible, in every
public school in the land, from which it may have been ex-
cluded ; and to aid in keeping it, where it is now adopted, as
the standard of moral instruction.

Commissioner Claxton, in welcoming the members of
the council of church Boards of Education, representing
fourteen denominations, at their third meeting in Washing-
ton, D. C, in January 1914, very correctly stated the lead-
ership of the church in the educational work of our country,
and the importance of its continued relation to it, in the fol-
lowing language :

"The church has been the leader in educational devel-
opment, at a time when the state was unable and unwilling
to pay the large cost for education. Honor should be given
the church for its splendid, formative work in education,
during the time the state was occupied in building up its
political relations. It is indeed a happy thing, that the
church is so deeply interested in education, as to maintain
national agencies, known as boards."

CHOCTAW FREEDMEN 417

In regard to the secondary schools he prophetically
added, "The day will come, when the Bible will be read in the
public schools, just as any other book. There is no good rea-
son, why the Bible should not have its rightful place, in our
public school curriculum."

The Gideons, an organization among traveling sales-
men, are endeavoring to place a copy of the Bible in every
bedroom of all the public hotels in the United States. At
the end of 1913 they had supplied bibles for 220,000 rooms,
and had reached all but three states, Utah, Nevada and
Washington.

These are movements in the right direction and sug-
gest the proper attitude of every christian parent, teacher
and legislator. Do not hesitate to advocate the daily read-
ing of the Bible, and the employment of christian teachers,
in all the public schools, provided for the Freedman and his
children.

"There's a dear and precious book,

Though it's worn and faded now,
Which recalls those happy days of long ago ;

When I stood at mother's knee

With her hand upon my brow,
And I heard her voice in gentle tones and low.

Blessed book, precious book
On thy dear old tear-stained leaves I love to look ;

Thou art sweeter day by day,

As I walk the narrow way,
That leads at last, to that bright home above."

— M. B. Williams.

XLVIII

A HALF-CENTURY OF BIBLE SUPPRES-
SION IN A NATION, OR FRANCE, DUR-
ING THE PERIOD, 1572 TO 1795.

THEISM, DEISM, PHILOSOPHISM.— APPEAL FOR BREAD.—
MORAL AND FINANCIAL BANKRUPTCY.— FIRST POPULAR
ASSEMBLY.— REPUBLIC OF FRANCE.— REIGN OF TER-
ROR.— PEOPLE UNPREPARED FOR FREEDOM.— INSUR-
RECTION OF WOMEN.— RESULTS.— LAND OF JOHN CAL-
VIN.— LAFAYETTE.— ROMANISM, BEHIND THE TIMES.—
HUMAN REASON, BLIND.— LIGHT, LIFE AND LIBERTY.

"The entrance of thy word giveth light, it giveth un-
derstanding to the simple. Open thou mine eyes, that I
may behold wondrous things out of thy law." — David.

N American citizen does not need to go to
far-off India or Africa to learn how people
live without the Bible. Every heathen na-
tion, living in ignorance and degradation
furnishes a practical illustration. This il-
lustration may be found by visiting the countries on the
other side of the southern boundary line of the United
States, where for several centuries under dominant catholic
influence the Bible has been a forbidden book in the few
public educational institutions of the country. The result
may now be seen in the general prevalence of ignorance, pov-
erty and oppression ; the ownership of land limited to a com-
paratively few persons, corruption and rapacity on the part
of public officials, general improvement checked and the
country impoverished by frequent insurrections and revolu-

(418)

HALF-CENTURY OF BIBLE SUPPRESSION 419

tions, that indicate incapacity for stable and prosperous self-
government.

France, however, once made the actual experiment of
suppressing the Bible and Bible readers for two centuries,
during the period from 1572 to 1795, while the Reformation
of the 16th century was progressing in Germany, Switzer-
land, Britain and other countries.

Thomas Carlyle, in his history of the French Revolu-
tion, that occurred 1788 to 1795, has very dramatically por-
trayed scenes and incidents, which become pregnant with
new and thrilling interest, when briefly summarized to il-
lustrate the folly and sad consequences of suppressing the
Bible and Bible readers in that nation. The historic value
of these incidents should make this story interesting and
instructive to every student and teacher.

ATHEISM, DEISM, PHILOSOPHISM

Louis XV, king of France, at the end of a reign of fifty-
nine years, dies unwept and unmourned in 1774. Affirming
there is no God or heaven, at the beginning of his long reign,
and not permitting any of his courtiers to mention the
word "death" in his presence, he abandons himself to a life
of forbidden pleasure, humiliates and scandalizes the peo-
ple of France instead of enlightening and elevating them.
He inherits and maintains the tyrannous and oppressive
feudal system, that prevents the common people from ac-
quiring ownership of land. His career has been described,
"as an hideous abortion and mistake of nature, the use and
meaning of which is not yet known." The persecution of
Bible readers, or Protestants, is begun with a general mas-
sacre at Paris, on the anniversary of Saint Bartholomew
in 1572. Those who escape the bloody horrors of that occa-
sion, are commanded to emigrate from France, on pain of

420 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

death. The following events occur, during the latter part
of the last half century, preceding the French Revolution.

The leaders in thought are the shameless and selfish
infidels and deists, Voltaire, Rosseau, Robespierre and
others like them. Paris admires her deistical authors and
makes them the objects of hero-worship. They are called
"Philosophs," and Bible readers must not stand in their
way. Philosophism sits joyful in glittering saloons, is
the pride of nobles and promises a coming millennium
Crushing and scattering the last elements of the Protestant
Reformation, they blindly and falsely talk of a Reformed
France. The people applaud, instead of suppressing these
false teachers. The highest dignitaries of the church
waltz with quack-prophets, pick pockets and public women.
The invisible world of Satan is displayed and the smoke
of its torment goes up continually. No provision is made
for the general education of the common people and yet the
government is fast becoming bankrupt.

In 1774 Louis XVI succeeds his father, as the last
King of France. He is youthful, uneducated, imbecile. He
is wedded to a giddy superficial queen. Both are infidels
and incapable of any intelligent acts of government. With
imbecility and credulity on the throne, corruption continues
to prevail among high and low. Instead of individual thrift
and general prosperity, poverty and famine prevail through-
out the land.

APPEAL FOR BREAD

In 1775, impelled by a scarcity of bread, a vast multi-
tude from the surrounding country gather around the royal
palace at Versailles, their great number, sallow faces and
squalid appearance indicating widespread wretchedness
and want. Their appeal for royal assistance is plainly

HALF-CENTURY OF BIBLE SUPPRESSION 421

written, in "legible hieroglyphics in their winged ragged-
ness." The young king appears on the balcony and they are
permitted to see his face. If he does not read their written
appeal, he sees it in their pitiable condition. The response
of the king is an order, that two of them be hanged. The
rest are sent back to their miserable hovels with a warning
not to give the king any more trouble.

Mirabeau, a French writer, describes a similar scene
that occurs later that same year. "The savages descending
in torrents from the mountains our people are ordered not
to go out. The bagpipes begin to play, but the dance in a
quarter of an hour is interrupted by a battle. The cries of
children and infirm persons incite them, as the rabble does
when dogs fight. The men, like frightful wild animals, are
clad in coarse woollen jackets with large girdles of leather
studded with copper nails. Their gigantic stature is height-
ened by high wooden clogs. Their faces are haggard and
covered with long greasy hair. The upper part of their vis-
age waxes pale, while the lower distorts itself into a cruel
laugh, or the appearance of a ferocious impatience."

These proceedings are a protest of the common people,
of whom there are twenty millions, against government by
blind-man's-buff. These people, paying their taxes, are pro-
testing against corrupt officials depriving them of their
salt and sugar, in order to maintain royal and official ex-
travagance. Stumbling too far prepares the way for a gen-
eral overturn.

MORAL AND FINANCIAL BANKRUPTCY
There is no visible government. Its principal repre-
sentative is the Chancellor of the Exchequer, or king's treas-
urer; and "Deficit of revenue" is his constant announce-
ment, to the feudal lords, who exercise local government.

422 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

In 1787 Cardinal Lomenie becomes the king's new treas-
urer. His predecessor has been ousted because the treas-
ury was bankrupt, but his unscrupulous methods continue
to be adopted because no better ones can be devised. As
late as the next year the cardinal demands the infliction of
the death penalty on all Protestant preachers.

The period has become one of spiritual and moral bank-
ruptcy. The Bible has been suppressed and blind human
reason has been exalted. There is no bond of morality to
hold the people together. Men become slaves of their lusts
and appetites, and society, a mass of sensuality, rascality
and falsehood. Infidelity, despotism and general bank-
ruptcy prevail every where. There is no royal authority
and the palace of justice at Versailles is closed.

The poverty and misery, experienced by the peasants
in their comfortless hovels, awakens a feeling of discontent
and protest. This feeling of protest, among the poor and
illiterate, permeates upward and becomes more intense as it
proceeds. In this unorganized protest the hand of one is ar-
rayed against his fellow man. The common people are ar-
rayed against the nobles ; the nobles, against each other, and
both nobles and people are bitter against the government.
Townships are arrayed against townships and towns against
towns. Gibbets are erected everywhere and a dozen wretch-
ed bodies may be seen hanging in a row. The mayor of
Vaison is buried alive ; the mayor of Etampes, defending a
supply of food, is trampled to death by a mob exasperated
with hunger, and the mayor of Saint Denis is hung at Lan-
terne. The ripening grain is left ungathered in the fields,
and the fruit of the vineyards is trodden under foot. The
bloody cruelty of universal madness prevails everywhere.

A frightful hail storm, that destroys the grain and

HALF-CENTURY OF BIBLE SUPPRESSION 423

fruits of the year at the beginning of harvest, is followed
by a severe drought in 1788. Foulon, an official grown gray
in treachery and iniquity, when asked,

"What will the people do?" makes response,

"The people may eat grass."

The royal government is now described, as existing
only for its own benefit; without right, except possession;
and now also without might. "It foresees nothing, and has
no purpose, except to maintain its own existence. It is
wholly a vortex in which vain counsels, falsehoods, intrigues
and imbecilities whirl like withered rubbish in the meeting
of the winds."

Commerce of all kinds, as far as possible, has come to a
dead pause, and the hand of the industrious is idle. Many
of the people subsist on meal-husks and boiled grass. Arm-
ed Brigands begin to make their appearance and a "reign
of terror," is ushered in.

FIRST POPULAR ASSEMBLY

On May 4, 1789, the first popular assembly meets at
Versailles, more churches than other buildings having been
used as polling places, at this first election in France. The
assembly is composed of nobles, clergy and commoners, the
last representing the people.

Six "parlements," consisting only of nobles, have pre-
viously been convened by the king's treasurer, and as often
have been dismissed by the king, because they were not
willing to tax themselves more, to increase the revenues of
the king. In this assembly, there are six hundred com-
moners, who, when the king dismissed the assembly, under
the leadership of Mirabeau refused to be dismissed, and
bind themselves by an oath, to remain in session, until they
have framed and adopted a constitution.

424 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

This act of the commoners is the beginning of the
French Revolution. This Revolution has been defined, as
"An open, violent rebellion and victory of unimprisoned
anarchy, against corrupt worn-out authority; breaking
prison, raging uncontrollable and enveloping a world in
fever frenzy, until the mad forces are made to work toward
their object, as sane and regulated ones."

These commoners are shut out of their hall and their
signatures are attached to their oath in a tennis court.
They are later joined by Lafayette, the friend of Washing-
ton, and by other nobles and 149 Roman clergy. They are
treated offensively, but cannot be offended. They are ani-
mated with a desire to prepare a constitution, that will re-
generate France, abolish the old order and usher in a new
one.

Paris, always very demonstrative under excitement,
grows wild with enthusiasm for the commoners, and others,
who compose their first National Assembly. They go sim-
mering and dancing, thinking they are shaking off some-
thing old and advancing to something new. They have
hope in their hearts, the hope of an unutterable universal
golden age, and nothing but freedom, equality and brother-
hood on their lips. Their hopes, however, are based on noth-
ing but the "vapory vagaries of unenlightened human rea-
son," instead of the unchanging truths and principles of
Divine Revelation. They experience an indescribable terror,
of the unnumbered hordes of Europe rallying against them,
in addition to the constant dread of their own cruel, armed
brigands and inhuman official executioners.

Unfortunately the commoners had not been previously
trained in the art of statesmanship, and after a long ses-
sion, that lasted until September 14, 1791, the constitution
then proposed was still incomplete, and had to be submitted

HALF-CENTURY OF BIBLE SUPPRESSION 425

to another assembly to be completed. They however accom-
plish some things worthy of note. In 1789 they abolish feud-
alism, root and branch; and the payment of tithes. The
latter meant the separation of church and state, in matters
of support and government; and this event seemed to the
deists, like a time of Pentecost.

REPUBLIC OF FRANCE

On Sept. 22, 1792 the Republic of France is declared.
On Jan. 1, 1793, King Louis XVI, who had become a runa-
way king, and on October 16th following, Marie Antoinette,
the queen, are executed. These events are followed by an-
other reign of terror, the plundering of churches and a war
with Spain.

The Republic of France, when first established, proves
to be one of a mob, robbing and murdering those, who had
property. The people become despotic as soon as they have
disposed of their useless king, and queen. There were only
nine prisoners in the bastile, when it was destroyed, but
now in two days and under the name of liberty, eight thous-
and innocent persons are massacred in prison. Walter Scott
in his Life of Napoleon adds: "Three hundred thousand
other persons, one third of whom are women, are ruthlessly
committed to prison," the executioners usurping the place
of the judges and, without trial, pronouncing sentence
against them". Their watchwords, while the Revolution con-
tinues, are, "Unity, Brotherhood or Death." These principles
are enforced by edicts of exile, imprisonment, or death by
the guillotine.

REIGN OF TERROR

This reign of terror continues until July 28, 1794, when
the cruel hearted Robespierre and his consorts are con-

426 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

demned to death on the guillotine, a cunningly devised be-
heading machine, on which he had been practicing with in-
nocent and helpless victims, for twenty-two years.

In 1795 a new constitution is adopted, and after the
suppression of a number of bloody riots and insurrections
that year, by the young Napoleon with his batteries of
artillery, public order is restored and the Revolution is re-
garded as ended.

PEOPLE UNPREPARED FOR FREEDOM

These are but a few of the many riotous and disorderly
events that occurred in France just at the close of the
American Revolution, in which Lafayette co-operated with
so much honor to himself and his country. These suffice
to show how unprepared the people were for any great or
concerted movement, and how destitute the nation was of
men, fit to serve as leaders in thought and action, until the
rise of Napoleon with his genuis for military affairs.
Mirabeau, their first trusted leader, dies before the end of
their first assembly. Lafayette, a prominent member of the
first assembly, when made military commander at Paris,
finds the rabble will not listen to his counsels, and he re-
signs. In 1782 he makes another attempt to re-instate
authority in Paris, and the attempt proving a failure he re-
tires from further participation in public affairs.

No one is able to anticipate the next movement of the
populace, or win and hold their confidence, any length of
time. One event follows another "explosively." Men, fear-
ing to remain longer in their huts or homes, fugitively rush
with wives and children, they know not whither. Under the
the leadership of the infidels, Rosseau and Robespierre,
they experience terrors such as had not fallen on any na-
tion, since the fall of Jerusalem.

HALF-CENTURY OF BIBLE SUPPRESSION 427

INSURRECTION OF WOMEN

An insurrection of women is suddenly started in Paris,
in October 1789, at the call of a young woman who seizes
a drum and cries aloud, "Descend Mothers; Descend ye
Judiths to food and revenge !" Ten thousand women, quick-
ly responding to this call, press through the military guard
to the armory in Hotel de Ville, and when supplied with
arms march on foot to Versailles, and, taking the king and
his family captives, bring them and the National Assembly
to Paris the next day, October 5th, followed by a good natur-
ed crowd, estimated at 200,000. Now that the king occupies
the palace of the Tuileries at Paris, the people hungry, but
hopeful, shake hands in the happiest mood, and assure one
another "the New Era has been born."

RESULTS

The principal results of the French Revolution may be
briefly summarized as follows:

Good riddance of a half century line, of worse than
useless, atheistic kings and queens; the suppression of the
tyrannous feudal system, that prevented the common people
from acquiring ownership of land, the suppression of the
bastile, a feudal prison and robber den, and of the guillotine ;
the suppression of religious persecution, and the separation
of church and state in matters of government and support ;
and the adoption of a constitution, that provides for the peo-
ple to have a voice, in the management of the affairs of the
government.

LAND OF CALVIN AND LAFAYETTE

France is the land that gave birth and education to
John Calvin, the pioneer advocate of civil and religious liber-
ty, and in his day the good work of the Reformers had
gained an encouraging foot hold in his native land, but after

428 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

the lapse of a century of cruel extermination, one looks in
vain to see the expected fruits of his great work. A cen-
tury, of Bible suppression and persecution of Bible readers,
has left the people in ignorance of the Word of God, which
is the Light and Life of the World, and in its place catholic-
ism and infidelity, like hoar frosts or destructive black
clouds, have spread over the land. Oppressed with a feel-
ing of need and seeking something not clearly denned, the
people grope in darkness and stumble on events, as if play-
ing blind-man's-buff. The one hundred and forty-nine Ro-
man clergy in the first assembly are so lacking in intelli-
gence and patriotism, they exert no special influence worthy
of note.

Very different were the scenes that Lafayette witness-
ed, during the period he co-operated with the colonies of
America, in their struggles for liberty and independence.
Here he met many of the descendants of the very people,
whom the bitter persecutions in France had driven to this
country. Many of them, as early settlers in New York,
Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia, exerted a considerable
influence, in moulding the character of the American people.
He found all the people engaging intelligently in the cause
of freedom. Their leaders knew what they were endeavor-
ing to achieve, and every movement was characterized by
good order, patriotism and superior wisdom.

ROMANISM BEHIND THE TIMES
This historic contrast of the good fruits of the open
Bible among the people in America, with the sad and de-
plorable results of Romanism and infidelity in France, pre-
vious to the great revolutions, that occurred in both coun-
tries in the days of Lafayette, is certainly very interest-
ing and instructive.

HALF-CENTURY OF BIBLE SUPPRESSION 429

Other countries in which Romanism has been dominant
and the Bible suppressed, as Ireland, Spain, Mexico, the
Philippine Islands and the states of Central and South
America, show a similar unfavorable contrast. In South
America, where Romanism has suppressed the Bible for
centuries, only two percent of all the college students in
1913, according to Bishop Kensolving of the Episcopal
church in Brazil, "affirm their allegiance to any religious
faith."

In Spain, according to a recent issue of the Herald of
Madrid, there are 30,000 towns and rural villages, that are
yet without schools of any kind. There are thousands of
the people whose homes can be reached only by bridle-paths.
They lack schools, roads and railroads. Seventy-six per cent
of the children and youth are unable to read and write. In
Spain, Mexico and South America, Romanism has proven
itself to be, but little more than a pious form af paganism,
an oppressive and wide-spread relic of ancient, pagan Rome.

During the two hundred years preceding the Revolu-
tion in France no one was ever persecuted for being an
atheist, deist, infidel or Roman catholic, but all of these
united in suppressing the general use of the Bible and the
presence of Bible readers, to the great injury of the public
welfare. If that country had not foolishly and wickedly ex-
terminated the people, that were fast becoming Bible read-
ers at the time of the Reformation, it would no doubt have
been saved from many of the blind and bloody scenes of
the period of the Revolution.

Romanism, by suppressing the Bible, encourages ignor-
ance, superstition and bigotry. It also tends to break down
the sanctity of the Sabbath as the Lord's day ; winks at the
liquor traffic, and by its confessional strikes at the very

430 CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

foundation of free manhood, freedom of thought and liber-
ty of conscience.

This contrast, shows clearly that Romanism, whatever
good it may have done, is now many centuries behind the
times. This is a very serious defect. It has the Bible, a
latin version called the Vulgate which it claims as its own.
It has the New Testament and for that reason it is classed
as a christian religion. It has however, opposed and sup-
pressed the reading of the Bible by the people, lest the
spread of intelligence, through a personal knowledge of its
contents, would lessen the respect and obedience of the
people to the false claims of the pope, clerical orders and
priesthood.

Several generations of slave holders in this country
gave this same reason, as a good one for not providing edu-
cational facilities for their slaves, fearing that intelligence,
which greatly increases the value of the workman, would
tend to lessen their authority over them. It serves to il-
lustrate the old worn-out adage, that "might makes right,"
instead of the newer and better one, "God is with the right."

The ability to rule, in both cases, is based on the ignor-
ance, instead of the intelligence of the subject. When thus
expressed in plain words, it certainly does not sound very
creditable, or as if it were the best policy. It is not un-
charitable to say, that as a policy, it is "out of date." Our
Lord Jesus was a teacher as well as Saviour. He went from
place to place, teaching and encouraging the people to
"search the scriptures," that they might know, what to be-
lieve concerning Him, in order to inherit eternal life and
"have life more abundantly."

This is one of the good features of Protestantism. It
is based on a personal knowledge of the Bible and the gen-

HALF-CENTURY OF BIBLE SUPPRESSION 431

eral intelligence of the people. Its motto is "Let the Light
Shine." Truth is mighty and in the end will prevail, for
"justice and judgment are the habitation of God's throne."
HUMAN REASON BLIND

When the Bible was suppressed in France and human
reason exalted, all the infernal elements of a depraved hu-
man nature held high carnival. Enthusiasm and fanati-
cism, the allies of ignorance and superstition, caused the
people to think and act wildly. If in his heart there is no
devout faith, to develop the sense of personal responsibility
and duty, man becomes ready for any evil under the sun.
Sin, however, has been and always will be the parent of
misery. "The wages of sin is death." This one terrific ex-
periment, of a half-century in France without the Bible,
should be enough for a thousand worlds, through countless
years."

LIGHT, LIFE AND LIBERTY

The life-giving word of Divine Truth is the salt, that
preserves learning and a sense of personal obligation to do
that which is right, amid the changing scenes of time and
life. Learning is knowledge based on fact, and not on fiction
or unbelief. Duty as a practical matter has regard for that
"righteousness, that exalteth a nation." as well as the sal-
vation that saves the individual.

"Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make
you free." A knowledge of the truth tends to produce that
self-restraint, that is essential to freedom ; and that sense of
duty and right, that results in faithful public service. Gen-
uine liberty has never been realized, where there has not
been also an intelligent self-restraint.

The fundamental principle of the Reformation was ex-
pressed by Luther as follows : "The Word of God, the whole
Word of God, and nothing but the Word of God."

432

CHOCTAW FREEDMEN

This was based on the following passage from Augus-
tine in the fourth century: "I have learned to pay to the
canonical books alone, the honor of believing very firmly,
that none of them has erred ; as to others, I believe not what
they say, for the simple reason, that it is they who say it ;"
and the previous saying of Paul, "Should we, or an angel
from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you, than that
which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed, for
it is written, the just shall live by faith."

This principle of the Reformation appears in our com-
mon form of attestation, "The truth, the whole truth and
nothing but the truth ;" and in the patriotic motto of Penn-
sylvania, "Virtue, Liberty and Independence."

Think on these things. Search the scriptures. Know
that the Bible is the Word of God to all people, that it is
the sword of the Spirit, and the Truth that makes you free.
The Master hath need and calleth for thee. Be of good
courage. Be loyal to the truth and let it shine through
you.

THE END

INDEX

Ahrens, Bertha L 127, 154, 289, 300, 310

Aid Society 300

Allen, Fredonia 149

Allotment of lands 3, 154

Alverson, Noah S 289, 342

Apiary 294

Arch of Character 257

Arnold, Olivia, Mrs. R. D 378

Baird, Phil C. D. D 226, 325

Bartholomew St. Massacre 77

Bashears, Charles 287

Beatty, Doll 353

Bees, Double Swarm 299

Becker, Mary 141

Benediction, Endeavor 259

Bethel, M. L 226, 353

Bethesda Mission 70

Bibbs, Samuel S. 151 ; Lee, Charles 287-9

Bible, first book, 71 ; Cause of Reformation, 76 ; in Public

School, 35,391; Memorized, 173; Uplifting Power, 181 ;

Only Standard of Morality 406

Biddle University 70

Boggs, V. P. Mrs 90, 158

Boll Weevil 218. 290

Books, Value of 256

Book Marks 267

Boys' Hall 135, 204, 217

Brasco, Livingston 192

Brackeen, Rosetta 27o

Brown, Lucretia C. 151, 224; Matt 379

(433)

434 INDEX

Buds of Promise 146

Buchanan, Solomon 160, 224, 300, 322

Building the Temple 227

Burrows, Emma 137

Butler, William Rev. 148, 183, 226, 290, 370; Elijah

378, 381

Calvin, John 72, 427

Campbell, Anna E 108, 112, 119

Candidates for Ministry 276, 342

Carroll, William H. Rev 159, 224, 289, 327

Character, Formed 33, 157, 227, 241

Chautauqua, First 277

Cherokees 7, 19

Chickasaws 7

Choctaws 7, 14

Claypool, John Mrs 159, 318

Clear Creek 11

Churches: Beaver Dam, Oak Hill (101), New Hope, St.

Paul, Mt. Gilead .345

Colbert, Richard D. Rev 146, 353, 373

Concert, Closing 326

Constitutional Amendments 49

Cowan, Edward L. Rev 91

Craig, Carrie 137

Crabtree, James R 277, 353

Crawford, Dan 40

Creek Indians 8

Crittenden, Henry 101, 109, 377

Crusaders 67

Crowe, Carrie, Mrs. M. E 116, 137, 142

Daly, Sam 200

Decision Days 183, 192

Doaksville 29

INDEX

Domestic Training 198

Donaldson, Mary A 160, 321

Donors, Oak Hill 305

Early, Lou K 137, 193

Eaton, Adelia M 155, 159, 288, 315

Education 62, 93

Edwards, John Rev 15, 22, 105

Elliott, Alice Lee, David IV, 212

Elliot Hall II, 205, 208, 210, 326

Emancipation Day 42, 292

Farewell 331

Farmer's Institutes 287

Fields, Rilla 137

Fisher, Jessie 137

Flag, Salute 268

Flickinger, R. E. and Mrs 155,160,308

FloMinoy, William R 329, 353

Folsom, Iserina, Martha, 137, 149; Samuel, 150, 160.

224 ; Simon 330, 378

Forest Church 12 5, 130

Fort Towson 28

France, Bible Suppressed 418

France, Republic of '- ->

Freedmen, Homeless, 42 ; Choctaw 65

Fruits, Bulletin 256, 330

Gaston, John Rev ?1

Gideons *"

Girls Hall, Weimer Photo 109, 132, 210

Gladman, Samuel Rev 373

Going to School 274

Gordon, Mary, Lela, Inez 137. 27-1

Gossard, Verne 137

Graces at Meals 279

436 INDEX

Grandfather Clause 51

Green, Fannie 137

Hall, Malinda A 149, 224, 277, 289, 320

Harris, Nannie, Sam, 149, 300, 379 ; New Home of Cath-
erine 406

Hartford, Eliza 107, 115, 121

Haymaker, Edward G. and Mrs. .... 108, 134, 339, 379

Haymaker, Priscilla G 108, 111, 118

Hawley, Rev. F. W 301

Headache 299

Health Hints 298

Hen House 295

Highland Park College 199

Hodges, Celestine 147, 149

Homer, Wiley Rev 148, 226, 277, 352, 360

Homer, Hattie, Mary, Susan 147

Homes, Representative 406

Huguenots of France 75

Hunter, Anna, Mattie 116, 137

Huss, John 70

Idleness 247

Improvements 166, 202

Independent Ownership of Land 78, 193, 197

Indian Schools and Churches 15

Indian Territory, Slavery 7, 19, 106

Inquisition, The 76

Intolerance, Rise and Fall 408

Investments 272

Johnson, Isaac 277, 291, 378

Jones, Edward T. 149; Josie, 137, 379; Fannie, Marie

Martha 147, 149

Key Words 260

Kingsbury,, Cyrus, Rev 28, 65, 105

INDEX 437

Knox, John 75

Lafayette, Land of 427

Land Funds 303

Lee, Lilly E 137

Liberty, Civil, Religious 81, 431

Licentiates 276

Lincoln, Abraham 172

Lincoln University 71. 88

Log House, Old 109, 257

Luther, Martin 72, 431

Massacres of Bible Readers 77

Maxims, Character, Success 241

McBride, James F. and Mrs 131, 136

McGuire, James 117

McNiell, Sudie B 224

Meadows, Plant S., Rev 326, 353

Memory Trained 175

Methodism, Rise of 80

Ministers, Dearth of, Teachers 340, 342

Moore, Ruby 160

Mottoes, Wall 259

Murchison, Fidelia 148 > 287

Mexico 418

Negro, American, Voices 39, 59, 96

Newspapers, First 82

Normals, Summer - ' °

Oak Hill, Church, School, 12, 101, 103 ; Groups in 1902

and 1903 2 "

Orchestra, Buchanan, Flournoy, Dixon, Ashley and Alon-

za McLellan, Clarence and Herbert Peete, Harris,

Smith 274

997
Painting

Park College iy4

438 INDEX

Perkins, Charles, Fidelia 149, 355, 378

Perry, Ora Maxie 160, 294

Picnics 282

Pig Pen 203, 295

Pledges, Endeavor, Self-help 169

Porto Rico 394

Prayers, Forms of 280

Presbyterian Church, Board 84, 90

Presbytery, Indian, Meetings 17, 282

Presbytery, Kiamichi ; at right, Homer, Onque, Bibbs,
Alverson, Bridges, Starks, Crabtree, Frazier, Harris,
Richard ; 3d row, Elisha Butler, Mills, Wm. Butler, Ed-
munds, Lewis 335, / 52

Prince, Caroline, Henry 406

Pulling Stumps, Percy, Ashley, Alonza, Dee, Mark, Her-
bert, Thomas 207, 298

Reformation, the 72, 392

Reid, Alexander, Rev 15, 23, 105. 146

Richard, Everett 224

Romanism, Behind Times 428

Rules, Mottoes 259

Rutherford, Matthew 121

Sands, Rev. Marie Jones 148

Schools, Colonial 395

Scott, Mary 137, 299

Seats, Celestine 275

Seer: Corn, Cotton, Improved 298

Self-control, Education 174, 244, 247

Self-help, Support 163, 185

Shaw, Sadie 137

Shoals, John Ross, Johnson 149, 277, 287, 378

Shoals, Virginia Wofford, Perry 148, 160

Study, Course 268

INDEX 439

Success, What, How Attained 260

Sunday Schools 80, 271, 413

Sweepers, Rosetta, Mary, Helen, Beatrice Emma Evelina,

Ellen 274

Synod of Canadian 382

Spain 129

Teachers, Christian, Aim of 36. 266. 270

Teachers in 1899, Mr. and Mrs. Haymaker, Anna Hunter
(sitting), Mrs. M. E. Crowe, Visitor, Josie Jones ; photo

by Mattie Hunter 379

Uncle Wallace 25

Uplifting Influences, Inventions 65. 82

Vacation Workers 188

Valliant 12

Voice Culture 157

Wallace, Sarah L I 60

Waldo, Waldenses 69

Washington, Booker T 1"

Watt, Lizzie 150

Webster, Daniel 410

Weimer, Mary 1 159, 193. 275. 318

Weith, Rev. Charles C 278

Westminister Assembly 79

Wiclif, John ■ 70

Williams, Henry, Virginia I 47 . I 49

Wit, Humor -^

Wheelock Academy - ]

Wolcott, Jo Lu : I 59 . •'-"

Working by Rule 162,208,

Women's Miss. Soc. Oak Hill, 304; Synod 386

CORRECTIONS

Page 203. Line 22. read "pigpen." instead of "loghoue.-.
Page 403. Line 9, read "1812," instead of "1992."

Plat of the Farm of Oak Hll Industrial Academy

Valliant. McCurtain County. OhUhoroa
Sec. 29 & 20 NORTH Township 6 s Range 21 e

Sec.

Sec. 21

r 32

f.t;&..H*m<t>C

'T-

12 11

19
20

Sec. 30

_ ; Oak Hill

/ Academy 1

Sec.

Sec. 28

Sec.

Showing the lands bought at their virgin price ip 1908, 1909.
E. P. Cowan D. D. R. E, Flichinger

Sec. and Treas. of the Board. Pittsburgh. Pa. Supt. of the Ac idemy, Valliant, Okla.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

005 835 899 A #1