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 usefulness 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.

[Illustration: GOING TO SCHOOL]

[Illustration: THE ORCHESTRA--1912]

[Illustration: YOUTHFUL SWEEPERS
Holding and using the broom aright]

[Illustration: OAK HILL--Weimer Photos]

XXXIII

SUMMER NORMALS AND CHAUTAUQUA

"Apt to teach, patient."--Paul

The summer normals were established at the academy in October, 1905, and
were continued 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 opportunity 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.

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 sch