Taylor University - Ilium / Gem Yearbook (Upland, IN)

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an£S fi § m Commencement Speakers for 1924 e .x Dr. 1 Iarold I ' ai ' i. Sloan Bishop William F. ( )ldham As a part of our history we are presenting the Commencement speakers for 1924. As this volume goes to press there is prospect of an unusual number of speakers during the Commencement season since this is the year that our institu- tion establishes a spiritual convocation that will be national in its interest. It seemed appropriate, however, that we should especially present the speakers connected with the official hours of the Commencement season. Bishop William F. Oldham has spent most of his life in the regions beyond the sea. He recognizes himself as a spiritual son of Bishop William Taylor for whom this institution is named, and he is generally regarded as a worthy successor to our illustrious namesake as an apostle to the world . Bishop Oldham has rendered extensive service in Asia, but he is now the general superintendent of the continent of South America where he is advancing the movements of the church on lines that emphasize the fundamentals of God ' s word and the verities of full salvation. The Bishop ' s occasional ministries in the homeland always contribute to the missionary zeal of the church, and it is no uncommon thing to find his name connected with pro- grams where the old fashioned message of a full salvation is proclaimed. He preaches the baccalaureate sermon this year. Dr. Harold Paul Sloan is one of the outstanding pastors of Methodism. He is widely known throughout the nation as one of the best poised advocates of historic Christianity. He has not seen fit, as many other good ministers, to sit down and let the new philosophy take over the work of the church. He has made himself felt with tongue and pen in a wholesome contention for the fundamentals of the gospel. Dr. Sloan is eloquent and resourceful. He is a man of liberal education, clear in his thinking, and strong in his grasp of problems. Those in the opposing camps are bound to recognize him as a man of excellent spirit and a courteous Christian gentleman. Dr. Sloan delivers our commencement address for this school vear. m m mmm IH l||fflW Page Twenty-one

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l ji. ! ■. ; !, ' , ( ■a m K Qi Bishop William F. Oldham At the Grave of Bishop William Taylor m wm iiiiiiiiiiimim nc n][ Page Twenty

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ill ' . ' l iil . ' li lllill. i ; . nmnrji Sammu, Morris, the African Kru Boi] of Taylor How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! These words were fulfilled literally in Samuel Morris, the African Kru Boy, as he expressed his appreciation and joy in the fact that some one brought the message of the gospel to him. His early life was not at all unusual for a child living in Africa ; and yet, to us, it is one in which the hand of Providence marvelously led the way. His father was a petty ruler of a negro tribe which inhabited western Africa. He was taken prisoner in an engagement with another tribe and Sammy was sold into slavery. In order to get the price desired for their prisoner, his captors began to punish Sammy severely, whipping him every da} ' in order to make his father willing to pay the ransom price. Each day the whipping grew more severe, and finally he could endure it no longer. One night he ran away from the lash to the woods, not knowing where he was going ; but the God who feeds the sparrow watched over him and led him to the coast. Here it was in a little African church that Sammy learned about Christ. His conviction became so great that it led him to pray to his Heavenlv Father at some very unreasonable hours. His loud, agonizing cries sometimes broke the stillness of the ' midnight hour. At last his fellow workmen told him to leave, if he could not keep still. He moved his prayer meetings to the woods and there he wrestled with God. One night, after remaining in the woods until long after midnight, he came to his room, tired, but not sleepy. Suddenly the room was filled with a great light, his burden disappeared, and a great joy and peace came into his soul. After his glorious conversion, God called this African Kru boy into the min- istry. Sammy learned that in order to preach, he must be educated; and to be educated, he must go to America. He also had an intense desire to know more about the Holy Ghost, and learned that he could know more about Him by talking to Stephen Merrit, who lived in New York. His first question when he had ar- rived in New York was, Where can I find Stephen Merrit. who will tell me about the Holy Ghost? We can see him as he rides with Stephen Merrit in a coach, praying that the Holy Ghost might bless them. How simple was his faith and trust in the Master, how deep and true was his sinceritv, and how big was bis heart in his passion for souls ! The name Sammy Morris is very dear to his many Taylor friends. This boy, by following the leading of his convictions, caused many to seek the Holy Spirit, and a number to go to his beloved Africa where he himself had planned to go, had not his Father called him home. The Sammy Morris Dormitory stands as a memorial to his faith. Tis greatest memorial, however, is the host of young people who have been moved by his life to nobler service and sacrifice for the Master. HE BEING DEAD YET SPEAKETH. — Arthur Rkiimk, ' 25. ■allll ll lll l l l li ■ :illllltlll ll Kai niniiiiii iw ffff wn Page Tzvcnty-two