While we know our northern friends may not feel it, in the South, Spring is
here. So we thought we'd share a few of our gardening sites appropriate
for this time of the year. Along with gardening, there's grilling, and getting
ready to diet so that you can fit back into that bathing suit this summer!
"How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God follow him."-Elijah.
Every new student at the time of his
enrollment was requested to state whether or
not he was a member of Church. If a negative
response was received, he was kindly
informed 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 occurred 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 voluntary visit on
the part of a neighboring pastor the
co-operation 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 themselves 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 ten of
them. Two years later, as the result of an
evangelistic 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 observed by a patriotic and evangelistic
meeting at which impressive 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
impressive. 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 Sabbath
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.
This site
includes some historical materials that may imply negative stereotypes
reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. These
items are presented as part of the historical record and should not be
interpreted to mean that the WebMasters in any way endorse the stereotypes
implied .
Choctaw Freedmen and Oak Hill Industrial
Academy, 1914, Robert Elliott Flickinger
