here. Really, I am unable to tell the many
obstacles that confronted me while in school. But one of my many
difficulties was to get sufficient clothing, for when I entered, I had
on all that I possessed and day after day I wore what I had until
finally they got beyond mending. The teachers at Snow Hill were just as
they are now, extremely hard against dirt and filth. As I only had one
suit of underwear and as we were compelled to change at least once a
week, I could plainly see that my condition was becoming more alarming
each day. So I would go down to the spring at night, wash that suit and
dry it the best I could by the heater that was in my room. Quite often
I would go for days wearing damp or wet underwear, which has caused both
pain and doctor bills in after years. Finally, Mr. Edwards relieved me
of this situation when he sent me to the sales-room to get a pair of
second-hand trousers and another suit of underwear. My trousers didn't
begin to fit, for they were both too large and too long, but I wore them
with pleasure because I went to Snow Hill in search of an education and
I was willing to make any sacrifice to obtain my desire. Through all of
my troubles I never became discouraged, because I felt that some day I
would be prepared to be of service to my people.

"Of all things that gave me inspiration while in school, Mr. Edwards's
own Christian life which he lived before us day after day had more to do
with keeping me there than anything else. His courage and perseverance
under difficulties, which we all could see, were noble lessons to me. In
his Sunday evening talks in the chapel, he would plead with us to shape
our lives for work among those who were less fortunate than we. One
Sunday evening, he made a powerful and vivid appeal, admonishing the
students to go out, when they had finished their education, and start
their life's work among the lowly in the rural districts. He spoke these
words many times during the term. In fact, so often did he repeat them
that the very thoughts of them inspired me and I soon learned to love
the cause of humanity as well and as dearly as did Mr. Edwards himself.
Soon after completing my course in May, 1904, a call came from the Black
Belt of North Carolina for a man to go to Laurinburg and build up an
Industrial school there. After talking the matter over with Mr. Edwards,
I decided to go.

"I reached the town of Laurinburg September 15, 1904. When I got there I
found that