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THE DETROIT CONF~REN~ HISTORICAL MESSENGER Published by the "l"riends of the Archives"

Ronald A. Brunger, Editor Vol. XII, .No. 3

rr-ABLE OF CONTENTS Here and The re Pages 1-2 Our Annual Meeting, June 12 1-2 The Friends Make a Contribution 3 An Albion Student Letter in 1853 2-3 Railroad Journey across Michigan 4-5 Report from the Huron Mission, 1833 ~ Winter Mail Service at t he Soo ,l834 5- 6 Missionary Re port from the Soo,183~ 6-~ Wife's Missionary Heport, 1834 7-8

HERE AND THERE Our knowledge of our historical heri­

tage keeps expanding. ~very once in a \·Ihile a missing piece in the puzz-le gets f itted in . A woman at the state Metho­dist historical meeting in Lansing on April 5, supplied one. When we t.;e re s tudying the journal of James Gilruth, Presiding Elder of t he Detroit District t1832-36 ) in the early 1860 's, preparatory t o helpi ng Dr. Margaret Macmillan in the "rri ting of the first volume of our 'Miohi­ean history , we read tha.t on J'an . 24, ~~33 , Gilr uth set out from Birmingham for "Grumlaw on the Saganaw 'Missi on."

He :,..:.,_d n ever had any i dea where Grumlaw m~gh~ have been. Now historian Jean Dar­nell of the Halsey Church informed us that Grumlaw became South Grand Blanc, and then the Halsey United Wethodist Church. ~his

seems to have been the only time in his 4 years that Gilruth got this far north­wes t in our state.

A woman i n Allen , Mich., wrote wanting mat erial on Hev. James V. Watson, our first Methodist journalist in Michigan. We sent her a copy of our Advocate article on Wat­son some years ago. ln return we learned from her t hn.t Watson's wif e 's name was Han­nah, and that they had three children, Mary, Helen , and James V. Pr eviously we had been unable to learn of his family.

Rescue by General Conference of a finan­cially imperiled United Methodist Women's History ProJect has been urged by the South­Eastern Juri sdiction Histor ical Society. The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women has likewise petitioned General Conference on this matter. The history of women and ethnic minorities in Methodism has not been res earched in an adequate way.

May 1984 OUH ANNUAL M$TING .June 12!

You are invited to the Annual meeting of the Commission on Archives & History, and of the Friends of the Archives. We meet· in North Hall at Adrian Yollege on Tuesday, June 12, just prior to the Annual Conference.

Another fine program is· planned. I n keep­ing with our Bicentennial Emphasis , we will hear papers on outstanding early leaders in Michigan Methodism. We will hear of Set h Reed(l823-1924), who rode circuits on Mi chi­gan ' s frontier and in 1906 became the firs t Superintendent of the Chelsea Home . He had an amazing career, and he looked like a Bible patriarch! -

In line with our interest in Ethnic Minor- ' ity Churches, we will have a paper on Peter Marksman, famous 19th century Indian preacher in Michigan Methodism , given by Helen LaVoie, daughter of John and Estell a Silas , who pas­tored the Oscoda Indian Church for years .

In keeping with the new interes t i n Women's History, a paper on "Women in Early Michigan Kethodism•• wi l l be presented by Mary Jane Jewell. We eager ly look forwar d to thi s. ~'le

will also have a paper on "El ijah 11. . Pilcher --Methodist Preacher Extraordi nary. " How coul d one man have done so much?

~he following is our tentat i ve s chedule : 9:30 a.m.--Social Hour with coffee and donuts 10:00 a.m.--Devotions led by our out - goi ng

President , ~ev • .J. Bruce Brown 10:20 a.m.--~aper,"Peter Marksman--Outst and­

-ing Indian Preacher" by Helen Lavoie. 11:20 a.m.--Business Sessi on

Report of Archivist Mention of Historic Ttems D1sp1 ay Recognition of oldes t churche s ' ·-

Bicentennial Committee The Conference Cane

Noon -- Lunch JJ:l5 p.m.--Paper,"Women in lllarly Michigan

Methodism", by Mary Jane Jewel l . 2:15 p.m.--Paper , "Seth Reed--Michigan ~!e t:1o­

-dism•s Centenarian", by Rev. Cardwel' 'Pro u.t.

3:10 p.m.-- Break 3:20 p.m. --Business Session

Our Budget The Friends of the Archives Up- dating of Local Church Histories JUrisdict i on Commission Meeting Historic Plaque Progress

EERE AND THERE

A history of the Big Beaver Church in Troy, came to the Archives recently. We were fascinated to learn that the commun­ity of 'Big Beaver, or The Beaver, as it was affectionately called, derived its name' in the early days from a large dam, erected by a colony of beavers across a nearby brook. Methodist preaching began here in 1845.

Th~ Wesley Foundation in Ann' Arbor has just published an attractive book, The His­~ of the Wesley Jloundation at the Uni­versity E.! Michigan , One Hundred Years. Our Methodist campus ministry at the U. of M. is the oldest suoh ministry. This is our proud boast. Long before James c. Baker established h~.s Wesley Foundation at the U. of Illinois in Urbana in t he 1920's, Y.ethodist student work was a reality in

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A~-~ Arbor. This 126 page book is challeng­ing and fascinating, and should be read by everyone interested in college students: a nd campus ministry.

We want to move our stock of Michigan Methodist history books, ~olume I and II, during the bicentennial year. The price .. ,. ::-.o•,· ve-r:y low, $3 each, or a set of ~o~s fo~ 5 ~ These books should be worth

~25 nr ~ ~2 in the current market. Here is a bar,_>.;.in indeed. We have s old quite a number of books in r ecent weeks. We hope t o have them available at Conference.

The books can be obtained at the Ar­chives, from Dr. Ford Ceasar, 3116 N. Grand' River Ave., Lansing, Mi 48906, or from Rev. Rona~d Brunger, 73 Water Wheel !states, Clinton, MI 49236. If ordering by mail, add $2 for postage and handling.

It is hoped that the next recipient of the Conference Cane, will be able to at­tend the Annual Conference, and that the Cane can again be pre s ented during the Conference Session.

The North Oentral Jurisdiction Commis­sion on Archives 4 History will meet next door to us, at Delaware, Ohio, July 10-12 They have an outstanding archives, and a great program has been planned.

The Albion student letter, across the page, was written by Mary Ann Carlton, a student of the Albion Pemale Collegiate In­stitute founded in 1850, and affiliated with the Wesleyan Seminary. Ito interest­ing that women could receive degrees in the early 1850's in Albion; the men could not. This letter was printed in the Feb­ruary issue of Io Triumphef we are in­debted to Io Triumphe for this intere$ting peek at early Albion student life.

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OUR ANNUAL MEETING (Continued)

3:40 p.m.--Paper,"Elijah Pilcher-Methodist Preacher Extraordinary" by Ronald A.

4.·35 p N · t· c · Brunger • • m.-- om~na ~ng omm1t~ee Report Election

4:45 p.m.--Adjournment. If you are a Conference Member, check

on your registratiofu forms- -Tuesday lunch and dinner. If you are attending that day only, you can pay for your meals at the door. We look forward to an interesting and stimulating program, and to good fel ­lowship on June 12th.

* * * * * AN itLBION STUDENT'S LETTER IN 1853

"Albion Oct. 2nd 1853 My Dear Parents:

One week has rolled by since I arrived at Albion, and thus far I have had plea­sant times.

I joined my classes on Tuesday morning and I like them very much . My Algebra comes at eight in the morning of which Miss Rogers is teacher. Prayers at nine as usual, then at ten comes the Arithmetic class taught by Prof. Abbot and at eleven comes Clarks Grammar taught by Prof. Donel­son, so now you know who my teachers are, and also that my recitations occupy the whole of the forenoon from eight o'clock i n the· morning until twelve, then ! come home and get my dinner, rest a few minutes and then go to s tudying, study or play until four, then go to prayers, come home get tea , (colored) water 1 mean, then study until 1 get ready to go to bed.

Saturday there was no reti tat ions so M"iss­Betts and I washed together and her sister cooked enough to last a week, but 1 did not have any cooking to do as I had a part of my loaf of bread half of my pie and a : . ._,, cakes left, now I guess you will want t , know what I live on, well I will tell you, I live on "taters" and baked apples, yes, I have cooked just one slice of pork s ince you left. 1 have pared my peaches, took the best part of them and put halr as much sugar to them and stirred them down. I have got my three pint basin full left, they are rirst rate .

I have eot my atocking done and commen­oed my white ones. I have ~lso made my apron. I have bought one pound of butter at fifteen cents per pound it will be enough to last three weeks longer I guess . 2

I have been to church today. Bro. Sapp preached from the last clause of the 15 verse of 12th ohapter of Luke. I don' t

(Continued p. 3)

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An Albion etudent•s Letter in 1853(Cont.)

don't know what else to write about for I am tired and can think 03 nothing.

0 dear I wish Willie was large enough to write a letter I know that he would write every week, wouldn't you Willie? ••

Give my love Lucy ~· Ellen, Albert & etc etc and after you do that give it to all the rest of them. Please do answer immediately and tell all the news.

From your affecti0nate daughter KART ANN."

1: "Did our washing together" 2 Rev. R'e ¢n Sapp( !816-73) , a prominent

minister, served Albion 1~0~52, and then became Presiding Elder of the Mar­shall .l)istrict.

3 The writer, Mary Ann Carl ton, was the older sister of Will Carlton(l845:.,.1912), who became a famous Michigan poet. Willie was then only eight years old.

* * * * * * * THE FRIENDS MAKE A CONTRIBUTION

The Friends of the Archives are making two valuable book purchases for the Ar­chives. One is a new book by Earl Brown

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of Boston University School of Theology on Women of Mr. Wesley's Methodism. This ex­plores the varied and surprising roles women took in 18th century Methodism. Bishop Thomas writes: 11At a time when all of us need a clearer and deeper understanding of the important contribution of women to the life of the Church, this volume will provide a material that has not been available in one volume before now." This book costs $30, at a prepublication price.

The second book ordered is entitled, ~~~Life- and Journals of Freeborn Garrettson and CO'Sts S25. Freeborn Garrett son was the man whom Asbury and Coke sent "riding like an arrov11 to inform the Methodist preachers of the Christmas Conference in 1784. Some scholars rate Garrettson next to Asbury as an outstanding leader in late 18th century and early 19th century Methodism. We feel these books will make a valuable addition to our Archives!

Currently our membership in the Friends is about 90. We remind you that many of our memberships will expire at Conference time in June. Regular memberships are f3 a year. A Contributing Membership is $10; a Sustaining Membership S25; a Life Mem­bership SlOO. Our Treasurer is Mrs. Sharon Scott, 21~ E. Miohi~an Ave., Clinton 49236

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The 188~ Centennial

A century ago in 1884, the M. E. Church was celebrating its Centennial. The General Conference called for the preaching of cen­tennial sermons and the holding of centen­nial celebrations at all levels from the local church to the General Conference. Six branches of Methodism joined in a Christmas Conference, Dec. 9-17. A Centennial Offer­ing was to help support education, the re­tired preachers, missions, and evangelism. Michigan Methodis~ leaders planned to raise $500,000. This was too grandiose,with a depression on. ~ohn M. Arnold, Editor of the Michigan Christian Advocat~ and the king­pin in the plans, suttdenly died, and the pro­posed drive evaporated. But historical ser­mons weee preached; revivals and district gatherings were held to honor the Centennial.

The Detroit Conference in 1884 had 27,093 members, 8 Districts, and 245 charges. Cen­tral Church, Detroit, had 766 members. * * * * * * *

OUR FIRST· PRES I DENT When the Detroit Conference Historical

Society was organized at Bay City in 1880, Daniel C. Jacokes(l813-94) was elected the first President. Jacokes was an outstanding genius.

He was recommended to the Michigan Con­ference of 1840 by the Saline Circuit. He served at the Kewawenon Indian Mission in 1~1-42, and then 3 years at the Lakeville Indian Mission in a notable ministry. He served a number of Churches with distinc­tion; finally he was Presiding Elder and Chaplain of the Eastern Michigan Asylum for 14 years.

Daniel Jacokes had a majestic physique. He had a strong constitution, was hardly ever sick, and often spent 20 of the 24 hours in work and study.

He had many intellectual interests. Astronomy was a favorite. Many a midnight hour was spent in his observatory which he built at a great expense and transported from place to place. He loved to use the mieroscope. Biblical archaeology fascinated him. He was a worker in wood, brass, and iron. His library was huge,4-5,000 books.

Jacokes was given an M.A. and a Ph.D. by Ohio Wesleyan University. He planned the state Educational Exhibit at the 1876 Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia,which won wide acclaim. He was a member of the State Board of Health. Truly outetandin~ was thie first len.der of the hiFJtor j o'tl intere•t• in our Gonfarenoe •

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AN EDITOR'S RAILROAD JOURNEY ACROSS SOUTHERN MICHIGAN IN 1852

(Editor Daniel P. Kidder of the SUNDAY SCHOOL ADVOCATE(A paper for M. E. Sunday ~chools) on Oct. 16, 1852 announced that he had been on a "NORTH-WESTERN JOURNEY." Strangely to our modern minds, Michigan and its sister states of the old Northwest Territory, were then regarded as the northwest. With surprise Kidder wrote,"In the space of three weeks and three days we were enabled to visit four annual conferences, namely the North Ohio, the Wisconsin, the Rock River, and the Michigan, and to return safely home."

In the next issue on Oct. 30, he told of the Erie Railroad "which now runs its trains from Jer~ey City, opposite New-York, to Dunkirk, on Lake Erie, 469 miles distant... Ke was amazed by the train service. "A long journey is before us, but we have fleet loco­motives and pleasant cars. Besides, we are provided with good reading, which will oc­cupy those moments not employed in gazing at fine scenery. Thus furnished, away we go, over rivers, and valleys, and mountains, and plains •• seventeen hours of safe but dusty riding brings us to the shores of Lake Erie. Having started at six o'clock in the morn­ing from the great metropolis of the western world, we are, before midnight, received on board the steamer Queen City, bound to Cleveland, Ohio." He could hardly believe this.

From Cleveland, Kidder took the train to Delaware, to attend the North Ohio Annual Conference, and particularly its Sunday-school anniversary program that evening where he gave the principal address. He returned to Cleveland and embarked on the "Forest City", a new and pleasant steamboat, for Detroit, the City of the 9traits.)

"Detroit is a beautiful city. lts location is elevated and commanding. On its eastern front is St. Clair River, a broad and noble stream, with waters deep and green. The Canada shore is in full view, and ferry-boats are constantly plying at t~is point between the United States and the dominions of Queen victoria. The streets of Detroit a re broad, well paved, and clean. Many of the buildings are of large size, and hand~ somely built.

Detroit, although an old town, has greatly improved during a few years past and seems hereafter destined to improve more rapidly still. We have several good churches here, and many excellent Sunday scholars, whom it would delight us to meet. An inter­esting French mission has recently ~een commenced at Detroit, and a church is about to be erected for the promotion of its objeets.

At eight o'clock in the morning we take the cars of the Michigan Central Railroad for a passage to Chicago. The cars start from a spacious depot near the wharf. They pass for some distance close by the river's bank, and then turn away to the westward through a well-cultivated and fertile country. Several handsome towns lie on the route of this railroad. Ypsilanti is one of the first. It has improved very much in growth and appearance within a few years. Ann Arbor is the seat of the Michigan university. It is located on high ground, and as the railroad passes through a valley, the passing traveler gets but a poor idea of the place.

Between the two places mentioned a lady comes through the cars selling a book, written by a blind lady living near. We buy one, and find it to be of an excellent moral character. A few years before we bought one in similar circumstances, written by th~ same blind lady. ~t was also a good book; and we rejoiced to know that a person who suf­fers the great affliction of a loss of vision, has the light of life and love in her heart. We trust that the use of her pen may, through the agency of the friends who sell and buy her books, secure to her a comfortable support. Would that all the books ~old and read in railroad cars had a tendency to make people love and fear God.

At Albion we have a view of the Wesleyan Seminary and Female College, under the presidency of Dr. Hinman, a most active and intelligent educator. We are pleased to learn that these institutions are in a most flourishing condition. Happy are the youth of Michigan who have access to such healthful fountains of knowledge.

Continued on page 5·

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AN EDITOR'S RAILROAD JOURNEY ACROSS SOUTHERN MICHIGAN IN 1852 (Continued)

Marshall •• is chiefly distinguished to the railroad traveler as an eating place. The railroad company has built a large de pot, with conveniences for furnishing meals to passengers1 and as it is the only place on the line where similar conveniences exist, it seems to be expecte-d that passengers will be hungry whenever they arrive at Marshall, whether by day or by night. The truth does not often vary from this e~pectation; and it would be well if the hungry could be in every other place supplied as suitably and as cheaply.

Kalamazoo is a very picturesque village •• As we approach Lake Michigan, the appear­ance of the country changes. The soil becomes more sandy: an occasional prairie is seen of small dimensions. When we reach the southern border of the lake, hills of white and barren sand are seen. The heavy timber becomes scarce, and a few small and straggling evergreens appear. At length, about dusk, having passed through the State of Michigan and a small corner of Indiana, we enter the prairie State, and sweep along the borders of a flat and apparently boundless prairie, upon which the tall wild grass i s still growing, and where the hand of the cultivator has scarcely yet made its mark. It is dark before 'i'Ie enter Chicago."

* * * * * * * * * REPORT· FROM THE HURON MISSION, OHIO CONFERENCE, 1833

(In the March issue, we concluded a paper on the Methodist Indian Mission on the Huron River near Flat Rock. Late in 1832 a school was established here; William Brockway, recently a blacksmith, was the teacher. In 1833 he was admitted to the Conference and appointed to the Huron Missmnn, a two weeks circuit around the River below Ypsilanti. The Indian Mission was an important point on this Circuit. In the November 1980 Mes­senger we printed Brockways• second quarterly report. Below is his first quarter's report, sent to ~he Christian Advocate, December 21, 1833).

"Dear Brother:--As our first quarterly meeting has just closed I proceed to give some account of this mission, which is as follows: - -

Number of preaching places 8; 1 school; 1 teacher; about 10 scholars, all natives; received since conference 17, one a native; net increase 15.

This mission extends from Detroit river into the interior of this (Michigan) terri­tory about thirty miles, including the townships of Monongori, Ecorse, Brownstown, and Huron. The two former are situated upo~ the Detroit, and the two latter upon the Huron rivers ••

Our first quarterly meetin~ closed last Sunday. The red and the white meft met together, andthe God of missions was present to own and to bl~ss. The word preached was attended with power, and an awful solemnity seemed to rest upon all the people ; and we expect that the fruit of this meeting will be seen after many days; for many, both old and young, resolved to seek salvation and serve the Lord. Amen. So let it be.

December 21, 1833"'' Wm. H. Brockway.

* * * * * * * * * * * * WINTER MAIL SERVICE AT THE SOO nr 1834

(Missionary John Olark at the Soo, wrote a short letter on Feb. 4, 1834, for the Christian Advocate, which tells of the mail service in the ~orth that winter.)

"Your very kind letter of the 25th October, 1833, came safe to hand this afternoon; and as our mail will be closed at 12 o'clock to-morrow to return, I consequently devote a few minutes this evening tn reply to yours •• From the post mark of your letter, I per­ceive it has had a journey of just two months in reaching this remote point of our country.

The mail of today is the second arrival we have had from the civili zed world s ince the close of navigation. We shall probably have three more between this and the 1st of May, tihen we expect a vessel.

-Concluded on pa~e 6.

Winter Mail Service at the Soo, in 1834 (Continued)

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From this place to ~etroit, our mail in winter goes on snow shoes' route, direct from this to Mackinaw, thence along the margin of Lake Huron, up Oaganaw bay, and the river of the same name, and from thence to Detroit. Whole distance from here 400 miles. and can be performed by a good hardy Chippewa or Frenchman, out and back, in about 36 days •• On the 2nd ultimo, two men, in the employ of the Hudson Bay Company, started on snow shoes with despatches for Capt. Back, whose winter quarters are at Great Slave Lake, a distance of about 2,000 miles from here. They will reach him, with good luck, about the 1st of May next •• n

* * * * * * * * * * A MISSIONARY REPORT FROM THE SOO IN JUNE 1834

"To the Corresponding Secretary of the Miss ionary Society of the M. E. Church . I suppose I ought to have written to you some time since, but being desirous for

t~e arrival of Br. Frasier from Ke-wa-we-nun before I wrote, I have delayed until the present time, and still he has not arrived, but I wait no longer •• During a portion of ~he fa1l, winter and spring, the Indians are so scattered to and fro, for the purposes 8f fishing, hun~ing, and subsistence, and for making sugar in spring, that but little can be done for their moral and religious improvement at these times, unless one jour­neys with ~hem and then visits from camp to camp; but none, except an Indian himself can well do this. However, from these various dispersions they are now mostly returned, so that at present our congregations on the Sabbath are increasing every week, and even now they are quite respectable in point of number. Our class meeting is filling up again 'Jy the return of scattered members; and our meetings for prayer and praise are more regularly attended, anC. with greater interest then in the earlier part of the sea'son.-­During the whole of the past year, I have had occasion to dismiss but three of our native members from clas~ , of a:l that have united in class during thq,t time; and,. from t h i s fac~ I think we are safe in the conclusion that the Gospel is still exerting a sav­ing inf!. ~:en~.e on the hearts of many, as they are continually exposed to many temptations t0 "~e ;a r t tram t he holy commandments delivered to them.

1 ~tep~ed into the wigwam of one of our members a few evenings since, and seating myself on a brush mat, I began to inquire after their welfare as they had but just re­tur ned from a tvur of several weeks up Lake Superior. 'i'he good squaw, not waiting for her husband to reply •• answered me, saying that they had been some distance up the Lake; t hey had seen many Indians, that they were drunken and noisy, and that she felt very bad .. to see them; and that during their absence, she had f·el t very hungry in her heart for the good word, and that now she fe lt thankful that they had all returned in safety again, and could attend the place of prayer and praise. Her husband gave assent to all that was said.

Thus we see, that whether present or absent, some of these pious Chippeways do - 0t forge t the things they hear. And it pleased me much at times to see the interest rna "' -; __ fested by some of them for the salvation of their yicked friends. A striking instanc ~

of this occurred during my late trip to Green Bay. An Indian youth of about 18 years, by the name James (Nah-wa-quash-kum) Midday, met me with his aged father and mother, bqth pious, at Mackinaw, and on being informed I was bound for the bay, the plan w? s immediately suggested to s end James alone with me to :rind if possible their rt{andering, drunken son, whom they had not seen in some years . Well, the plan was matured, and James was to take a deck passage on board of the schooner and start on this mission ••

I was detained some days in waiting for the vessel, but James kept a constant look out to see if a (nah-be-quon) vessel hove in sight. At length she arrived, and after a detention of a day or two, by contrary wind, I went on board at an early hour in the morning, and strange to tell, I left my Indian youth asleep. We weighed anchor and put out of the harbor. An hour passed before 1 missed James, ~ and now we were five miles rrom port, and the wind suddenly died away; and 1 was at once filled with shame and confusion at my carelessness. I strove to charter the yawl to go ashore, but the captain decl1nec. Soon I saw a little skiff coming--it neared us fast, and soon it wa s alongside, and James w~e in 1t. Having m1eaed ~e, he ~allied a few Indian lads,and put after us with all s peed .

-Continued on p . 7

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A MISSIO~ARY REPORT ~ROM THE SOO IN JUNE 1834 {Continued)

After a short passage, we reached the bay. James went with me to see our Indian mission at Duck Creek, and was much surprised and pleased to see their cleared fields and comfortable houses. He returned to the bay, and after some inquiry, found his drunken brother, spent a day or two with him to persuade him to go home to ~ee his aged parents. He consented, and himself and squaw, both ragged and filthy, go~ into their canoe, and when on the point of starting for Mackinaw, James called to me elated with his success, but added, Neen kah-ca go coo-coosh kiga Pah qua zbe gun, i.e. I have no pork and bread.-- I gave him an outfit for 10 days . He bore it off into the canoe saying, Me quach, me quach! I thank you, I thank you; and spreading their blanket to the breeze, they soon were out of sight.-- Lord, bless the youth, and save the wicked brother.

There has been a very manifest improvement among the pious part of the Indians here during the pas t year, poth in their habits of dress, cleanliness and industry. Some, during the past winter, have hired out to work by the month, some by the day, and others have taken jobs chopping wood; and this spring they have planted between 30 and 40 bushels of potatoes. Our houses, for .whi.ch provi.s-ion was made-by the board-la-s't winter, are going up finely; I think they will be ready, 13 in all, for use early i n September •• so far as my knowledge extends, this is the first effort of the kind ever made in the United States for the benefit of the Chippeways, and this too, not by the general govern­ment, but by a society whose grand object has ever been to spread peace and holiness over these lands. And surely none who have ever seen a miserable Indian wigwam, could grudg­ingly give to assist in building them a little comfortable log house. The Indians are utterly astonished to see how fast these houses go up.

My Sabbath labor at present is divided between the Indians and the fort. Our class of soldiers in the general are steadfast in the faith and hope of the Gospel, and a goo~ attendance is given to the minist~ of the word, both by the officers and men. As in this high lat.(itude) we have but one hour between the setting sun and 9 o'clock, we have adjourned our Bible class labors until the evenings lengthen a. little. Among both. officers and soldiers, our measures of total abstinence from all intoxicating drink is like the leaven in the meal--it is spreading; and permit me to say that the victory is not complete, nor the trophies already gained secure, if we stop short of this measure. And how important that all be fully awake to the subject of not healing slightly that wound which intemperance hns given to our nation, and may I not add, in some instances, at least, to the Church ••

I clos~ by saying, that I greatly need the prayers of all saints, for my hands are full of business and my heart of care and anxious solicitude for the salvation of the heathen. Yours in the bond of peace, .rmm CLARK

June 23, 1834." * * * * * * * * * * * *

A WIFS'S MISSIONARY REPORT FROM THE SOO IN JUNE 1834

(The following is a letter written by Sarah M. Clark from the Soo on June 30, 1834, a week after the previous communication.)

"My Dear Sister:--Your very kind letter and trunk of goods did not arrive here until May 3d. A constant press of business has prevented me from returning you an answer until the present. But will you, my dear sister, accept of our warmest and most sincere thanks for the benevolent acts and kind attentions you have paid us in this distant land? And may all those that are thus engaged with you share largely in the blessings of our most merciful Father.

Certainly it is more blessed to give than to receive. And the blessed Saviour has said,"Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little in the name of a disciple shall in no wise lose his reward. thought to us in our toils and privations to reflect that we whose faces we have never beheld. I cannot here express the heart upon handling over the goods you sent us, and those of was received at the same time •••

ones a cup of cold water Surely it i s a heart- cheer­

are remembered by those grateful emotions of my a box from New York, which

-Continued next page.

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A WIFE'S MISSIONARY REPORT FROM THE SOO IN JUNE 1834 (Continued)

I hope t hat none of our dear friendl will feel themselves neglected that we wri t e no more of the particulars of our situation. As to our sufferings, we t hink t hem not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us, if fai t hful t o the grace given.

As it respects our s chool, all ha s been done t hat it was cons i s tent t o do under our circumstances . We have fou_~d by experience that it needs time as well as patience to i nt. roduce ourse lves into t he soc i et y of these wild sons of t he f orest. We are str iving to lay a good f oundation for f uture usefulness ••

Our habit~tion i s as yet the same a s when we firs t came he re nearly t wo mi les above t he little Rapids , t he pl~ce of our int ended des t i nation •• notwiths tanding the many dif­ficul ties we have been called upon to encounter since the day of our arriva l , we have much r eason to rejoice and be glad. A great change is visible in many •• Some who have bee n the most debased and abandoned give ~idence to bel i eve tha t they have become the f ol l owers of the meek and lowly Jesus.

He hope by the blessing of God, to be in our own home by the 1st of September , and expect by that time 13 houses and a school house will be completed for the comfort of t he Indians. !t is not until then we expect a per manent school establ ished .--Then it i s we hope to see improvements in their habits of industry and economy.

And now, sister, any thing almost will hardly come amiss for these poor, des titu te be i ngs. Any thing that will make us comfortable in housekeeping will a lso make t hem so. T~ey will certa inly need cooking utensils, dishes, &c, of which they are mostly desti­~~te ; beddi ng , and also m~ny other things. - -Every thing sent for t hem will be mos t pru­c·.(! n.t ly dist ributed, and t hankfully received. Should our friends fe e l disposed to help ''.S in this way , i t will be a great favor.

~~ ~ Indian youth who was named, a nd i s supported by the ladies of Newark, and ca l l ed John Kennaday, is doing well, is s mart and active.

Shou l d there be a ny brethren or sis t ers of a heart and disposition, with the abil­i t y, courage, and fortitude to bear const ant toil, t here will probabl y be o pportunities for s uch he r eafter in the interior, as the work is advancing, and new calls a r e made for mi ssionaries. The harvest truly is great, and we hope tha t sincere and devot ed labor er s wil l not be few.

May the Holy Spirit guide us in all our ways, be ever a lamp to our feet and a l ight to our path , that in all things we may please him, who 1 humbly trus t has cal l ed us to this di s tant and difficult field of labor. Thus prays your affectionat e sister in Christ, Sarah M. Clark."

1 On page 6, John Clark refers to his "late trip to Greeh Bay." His ac count of t his trip was published in the Historical Messenger for May 1981.

* * * * * * * * * * * * In the same Christian Advocate for August 1(?) 1834, which contains the Sarah Cl ark

letter quoted above, is a news item telling of the Troy(New lork) Female Mis sionary Society sending "thirty dollars" to the- Mi!':sionary Society of the M. bl . Church . Scat ­t e red women • s missionary societies were s pringing up in the t•irst ha l f of the 19th cent -y .

Jame s Evans , who had great success as a Canadian Methodist missionary to the I ndians a nd had a fantastic career which ended tragically, was in 1834-35 stat i oned on the St. Clair River. B.y this time Oanadian Methodism was s eparated from the American M. E . Church. Evans on June 27, 1835 ventured to report to the Americans, writing to t he Christ ian Advocate. "Being stationed by the t1a.nada conference at t he ~t . Clair , l have considered it not beyond the sphere of my labors to visit occasiona l ly the pagan Ind i ans on t he American side of St. Clair river and lake Huron, and I would stat e t o the glory of God, a nd for the encouragement of his people, that many appear disposed t o embr ace Ch r is­t i anity. One opening I desire to make known .• t o the Miss i ona ry Society of t he M. E . CHnrr(}h , Villi · a.t Sa.h66enong--on t he ma.p Sagonah--~ l~rge bay on la.ko Huron ."