me
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 attending meetings of the Presbytery in the
rural neighborhoods, reminds one of the happy remark of a little six
year old boy, in regard to a sunny visitor, whom he knew had experienced
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.

The first meeting, conducted by the Choctaw Freedmen, it was the
privilege of the author to attend was their annual Farmers Institute,
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 pleasant and profitable observance of Emancipation
Day.

On this the first historic occasion the meeting was conducted by Johnson
W. Shoals, president, in a very dignified manner. An interesting annual
report was read by the secretary, 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.

He seemed to be at his best and discussed good morals, agriculture 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 a