bs,
secretary. On June 25th, 1905 a constitution was adopted, in which its
object was stated as follows:

"The aims and object of this society shall be: To help the
Presbyterian Board of Missions for Freedmen; to raise the funds
required to pay for the land on which the buildings are located; to
devise ways and means by which the academy may be directly aided
with supplies of food, live stock and other things, when money
cannot be given; and, to do what we can, to enlarge its course of
study and provide new departments of industry."

"It is understood, that all money raised shall be sent to the
aforesaid Mission Board and be applied by it to the general needs of
this institution, when no specific object has been named by this
society. It is also understood, that this society shall not hinder
the aforesaid Board, in its absolute control of the academy and
farm."

The annual membership fee is twenty-five cents, other offerings being
entirely voluntary, each giving, "as the Lord hath prospered him." The
first week in October was designated, as the time for an annual public
meeting, to give emphasis to the work of the society and solicit
free-will offerings from everybody. Other congregations were requested
to form similar organizations, to create a visible bond of union in the
support of the academy.

The first visible result of this lowly organization, founded as a
forlorn hope, appeared on the 15th of April 1905, when at the close of
the eloquent appeal of Samuel Harris, its field secretary, before the
Presbytery at Grant, Rev. F. W. Hawley, the Synodical Missionary of
Indian Territory, challenged all present to unite with him in making a
pledge of support toward the purchase of the land. Heading the list with
a pledge of $10.00, all were surprised to find it increased, in a few
minutes, to $210.00. Two weeks later Mr. Harris made a similar appeal at
Oak Hill, and $45.00 more were pledged. He visited Forest church and
received pledges to the amount of $45.00. George Shoals visited Bethany
church at Parsons, and $15.00 more were pledged, making the amount
pledged, $315.00.

Sam Harris, in the fall of 1905, voluntarily went to Atoka and had
forty-five acres of land allotted to his wife and four of his children,
in order that they might later be added to the Oak Hill farm; and the
education of his children be provided for, at that institution. His
death