om the foregoing facts, that, whatever demand there was
for the Oak Hill Mission as a school for local elementary instruction in
the earlier years 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
successful 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 ambitions 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.

[Illustration: Rev. W. H. Carroll.]

[Illustration: Sadie B. McNiell.]

[Illustration: Mrs. W. H. Carroll.]

[Illustration: Lucretia C. Brown.]

[Illustration: Everett Richard.]

[Illustration: Malinda A. Hall.]

[Illustration: Solomon H. Buchanan.]

[Illustration: Samuel A. Folsom.]

[Illustration: CLOSING DAY, 1912. REV. DR. BAIRD AT LEFT ON THE PORCH.]

The young minister needs this knowledge more than many others, and a
great deal more than is generally appreciated, 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 instruction 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 FRIEN