p. 473 | Oakwood Institute for Colored People

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 15, 1913

Oakwood Institute for Colored People

By W. W. EASTMAN

A COLPORTEURS’ institute was held with the students of the Oakwood School April 14-24. The instruction was given by V. O. Cole, general agent for the Southeastern Union; Mark Wilson, field agent of Alabama; and the writer.

Twenty-four students attended the class and entered heartily into the drill, most of whom intend to spend the summer selling our books and magazines among the colored people of the South.

It was indeed encouraging to meet with the warm reception and cooperation given us by both faculty and students. Everything that could be done by the management of the school was done to make our stay pleasant and aid in making the institute a success.

We were very favorably impressed with the school and its work. We found students there from fourteen different States, also quite a number from the islands of the West Indies and from Central and South America. Most of these have come with the definite purpose of obtaining an education and training and then returning to their respective fields to engage in the various branches of the work. Thus the school will have a molding influence upon the work throughout the field.

Eighty-five students are in the school this year. This is the largest number in attendance at any one time in the history of the institution. They are also, on the whole, the best class of students that has ever attended the school.

On Sunday, during our stay, the entire school was taken for an outing two miles from Oakwood, where dinner was served near a large spring flowing from a cave in the mountainside. The day was spent in a social way and in viewing the things of nature, and seemed to be thoroughly enjoyed by all.

The board and faculty are earnestly endeavoring so to equip this institution and to make such improvements as will enable it to do that quality of work in training workers which will meet the mind of God. We bespeak for this school the hearty cooperation and support of our people everywhere.

We trust these students who go into the field this summer will be remembered in the prayers of God’s people in a special way, as they have many difficulties to meet that our white colporteurs do not have; yet they have an important work to do for their people before time closes.

Truly the hour has arrived when the message is going quickly to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.

W. W. EASTMAN.