OAKWOOD INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL

B. E. NICOLA

“We should educate colored men to be missionaries among their own people.” To put this and similar instruction into action, the Oakwood Industrial School for colored persons was established in January, 1896. In that month the General Conference came into possession, by purchase, of a three-hundred-and-sixty-acre farm, a typical Alabama plantation, with its “big house,” surrounded by numerous cabins, a well-preserved monument of that social evil, to abolish which required no less than a new birth and a new development in the character of the South. In the formation of this character we now have a part by the influence of our schools in the South. The work of emancipation is not yet done; for though emancipated from physical slavery, “the slavery of ignorance” still fetters many.GCB April 4, 1901, page 60.11

THE LOCATION

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The interesting events leading to the providential choice of this location by those having the matter in charge, have previously been set forth in accounts of this work. The institution lies five miles northwest of Huntsville, now one of the most flourishing cities of the State. Though as far south as Alabama, a large percentage of the people, and a much larger percentage of the capital of its numerous industries, including five large plants for the manufacture of cotton goods, are from the North. This, with the fact that many of the farms in the vicinity of the school are owned by men from the North, enables us more or less frequently to meet with those who are at least not opposed to our work.GCB April 4, 1901, page 60.12

INFLUENCE AND GROWTH

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Following the instruction that “the work in the South should be done without noise or parade,” the work atGCB April 4, 1901, page 60.13

Oakwood has steadily grown in the confidence of both colored and white; and we believe much prejudice has been lived down. The local influence of the school is wholesome.GCB April 4, 1901, page 61.1

The school has steadily grown from the first, the number of students in attendance depending upon the capacity for accommodating them. The enrollment last year was fifty-seven, only six of whom left before the close of the year. So far this year, fifty-four have enrolled, two of them are not in the home. A number of changes have been made in the plans of the work, and we believe yet others should and will be made. Old plans are not to be despised. They are the basis from which new plans may be operated with experience as the director. But the one plan of fitting these people to carry the truth to their race, and to live it out before them, should never be changed.GCB April 4, 1901, page 61.2

COURSE OF INSTRUCTION

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The course of instruction has undergone some revision. The original four-years’ course has proved insufficient for the essential qualification for this field. We learn that “there are many among the colored people whose intellect has been too long darkened to be speedily fitted for fruitfulness in good works.” And yet, with our course lengthened to six years, it is required that the work in some of the years cover about what is planned for two years.GCB April 4, 1901, page 61.3

The course now offered includes the common branches, with rhetoric and a two-years’ line of nature study, or elementary science, about one year of which is physiology. With all this work there is set before the student the hand of the Creator, in whom we learn to delight as we study his works. Four years’ work is offered in regular Bible study, besides that included with work in the earlier years of the course. This year a nurse was added to our force, and a class of thirteen of our best qualified students are in the nurses’ class.GCB April 4, 1901, page 61.4

The religious interests in the school are encouraging. Near the close of last year, fourteen were baptized, leaving but one in the home not having taken this important step. Three more have been baptized during this year. As students go out from here having received the Word, they must meet the triple odds of color, religion, and a very limited knowledge of frugality. These combine to make a living hard to earn, and it must be regretted that some are unfaithful. But in justice it should be said that for all their proverbial instability, there are examples of rare Christian fidelity, which remain faithful through most discouraging reverses.GCB April 4, 1901, page 61.5

Ten young men from the school entered the canvassing field last summer. Through sickness greatly hindered and shortened their success, they report some excellent experiences. More are planning to enter the field next summer.GCB April 4, 1901, page 61.6

One recently accepted a call to teach in a church school, and others will take up a similar work another year. A short summer normal is being planned for teachers in colored schools. This we hope will do much to encourage school work among the colored people.GCB April 4, 1901, page 61.7

The industrial department has had an important place from the beginning. This factor of the work, under the supervision of Brother S. M. Jacobs, is an essential feature of influence not only for its supply of educational and remunerative labor for the student: but thereby the soil is made to preach by the convincing argument of superior crops. Farming is thus far the only regular industry afforded the students; yet during the past two years a new school building and boys’ dormitory, thirty by sixty-four feet in size, and three stories above a good basement, has been erected. This had added much to the capacity and convenience of the work. There is also at present near its completion a sixteen-foot addition to the girls’ dormitory. Beneath the new part, and extending under the old part, is being fitted a basement dining room about sixteen by forty feet, which will very much relieve the badly overcrowded condition of the present dining room. Besides making the shingles, and getting out the foundation stones and the timber for much of the lumber, the work of building is mostly done by the students.GCB April 4, 1901, page 61.8

The students work five hours a day as payment for their schooling, including all expenses except books and clothing. There are no pay students, and for many it is very difficult to find money for the above-named expenses. About half of the students attend school in the forenoon, while the remainder work; and in the afternoon these exchange places, the chapel service being held after 6:30 P. M.GCB April 4, 1901, page 61.9

We will not at this time dwell upon our needs, which are many; but we wish to express appreciation of the widespread and kindly interest shown in the work at Huntsville by those who have donated to its support. Such aid is always in demand at Oakwood, and is always applied with greatest care.GCB April 4, 1901, page 61.10

Our students range in age from fourteen to forty-five years thus “having not only children, but fathers and mothers, learning to read.” Taken as a whole, they present a class of intelligent students, comparing favorably with students of the same grades in schools generally. And though they struggle against unusual odds to rise through most unencouraging conditions, we have seldom, if ever, seen more marked growth than is exhibited in these young people after a few months’ perseverance with their books. But most encouraging of all is the ever-present evidence of the Master’s kindness, whose glory alone is sought.GCB April 4, 1901, page 61.11

B. E. NICOLA.