umber was 187; suggesting
a gain of 42 members by his successors in 8 years. If, however, the 16
members at Sandy Branch be taken from the 1898 column, it shows the 7
churches served by Stewart, gained only 26 members during all those
eight years.

This lack of growth, during this important period, was in great measure
due to the fact most of the churches were left vacant, during a
considerable part of that period. Thirty years had passed since the
people had been accorded their freedom, but so great had been the lack
of educational facilities, a sufficient number of acceptable men, that
could read and expound the scriptures profitably to others, could not be
found. Other communities throughout the south were experiencing the same
need, and had no young men to spare for these needy fields.

FAVORITE SONS BECOME MINISTERS

It devolved upon each community to solve this problem, relating to the
supply of ministers, by encouraging their own brightest and best boys to
train for the ministry. That was the way this problem had to be solved
by the Choctaw Freedmen in the south part of Indian Territory.

While the native young men were under training, and the churches were
vacant, the services had to be maintained by the elders and most capable
women; and they deserve great credit for their faithfulness and
efficiency in maintaining them from year to year.

The church, that during this period made the greatest gain--13
members--was Beaver Dam, the one that was first to furnish from its own
membership, an acceptable and capable minister for its own pulpit, by
commending Wiley Homer for licensure in 1894, when he was appointed the
stated supply for that church and Hebron.

In 1897 the same church presented Richard D. Colbert, another of its
sons for licensure that he might take charge of the church at Frogville
and Sandy Branch.

Eagletown presented William Butler, as their favorite son, for
licensure; and beginning then, he is still serving that church and
Forest.

In 1905, Ebenezer church at Griffin presented Noah S. Alverson for
licensure, and beginning then, he is still faithfully serving that
field.

In 1905, Mount Gilead church at Lukfata presented for licensure John
Richards, a youth of considerable promise, who died at 25, in June 1907,
while pursuing his studies under the superintendent of Oak Hill Academy.

Under the ministry of these native youth, aided by several others who
have joined them, the membersh