The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-12-18


g and graphic sketch Of the travuis of th.
first Missionary to Rupert. Island. As
every thing rel ting to the esrIy settlements
and progress of our Territory, aud of thu
country contiguous To it on the Northwest,
is read with aviliy by the people, have
thought would be doing an acceptaihe SER
vice Ivy sending yon the article for pubiica-
tion. S.
The First Missionary to Ruperi's Is
! land.
GLOW beautiful upon the mountains are the feet
OF him that brinseih good things, that pub
lisheth peace !''--is Iii. T.
1t was IN the autumn Of the year 800,
that little boat Of birch-rind might have
been seen to leave York Fort. on The Yves,
ern side of Hudson's Bay, and alter coast
ing for awhile along the shore, enter one Of
the rivers that flow from the interior
/ There was nothing in this circumstance
TO attract The attention of casual observer;
si,nllar boats were continually arriving at,
and departing from, the fort, during the few
bright mon.hs Of summer anil early autumn; !;
this canoe was, as usual, manned by natives,
aud, as was frequently tho case, an Euro
pean gentleman was sitting al the stern.
that boat depart, they would have watched
it with the warrnest hope and joy; and, as
it gradually lessenei to the view, and soon
was hldden from their sight by some pro-
jectlns headiand, earnes, prayer would have
gone up that God would speed that little
vessel on It's course, and give His abundant
blessing on It's oiDsct. 1t was bound for the
Red River Settlement, and " as conveying
to that distant spot the first messenger of
the glad tidings OF salvation that had ever
visited these neglected regions.
The attention Of the Hudson Bay Com
pany in London had for some time before
been drawn to the sad state of this settle
tnent, and they had endeavored to promote
! education among the people. Put the plan
had met with very little success, and they
now, in conjunction with the Church Mis-
sionary Society, resolved to send out n
chaplain, or rather a missionary, in The hope
Of beneftting them.
The Rev. john West was appointed to
this work; he arrived at York Fort in the
END Of August, 1920, and it was his boat,
that on September Srd, might have heen
seen to leave York Fort; and soon after to
snter Port Nelson River.
The Indian canoe, which has been al
ready described, is the only vessel that eau
so often ohstructed by rapids, cataractS, or
shadows, that more substantial craft would
be useless. Frail as they are, therefore, all
the voyages are made IN them, aud they are
the only means for conveying goods and
stores To the inland posts.
Mr.. VESTS course UP the river was n te-
dous one; not only had the boat 10 make
rs way against The stream, but II was often
brought to a stand by what is called n 'por-
tage,' or carrying place, that is, cataract
or rapid, where he men are obliged TO land,
unload the boat, and carry both it and lis
&C ntents on their shoulders along the banks,
sometimes for five or six miles, over broken
rocks, or through deep and niry swamps,
till they come to smooth water again.
At night the party landed, lighted a fire
Of logs of pine to warm themselves aud
dress their food; and Mr.. West, wrapping
himself in his blanket, laid down to sleep On
branches of the pine.
September in that country is as cold rs
January in England, aud some of The boat
men, finding how unaccustoned he Was to
the severity Of the climate, used kindly to
make a sort of rude tent to shelter him
They themselves slept without any shelter,
except that in RAINY weather, they would
; creep under tho canoe, which was always
drawn ashore and inverted for The night.
We must not omit 10 mention the care
that was taken every night TO examine this
fragile vessel, aud to ascertain whether the
birchen-rind bad been in ured by sharp
rocks or any other obstacle. A keg Of resItl
and some spare pieces of bark are always
taken on these occasions TO spread over The
seams or 10 repair any more serious injury.
In Mr.. Vests progress up the river he
passed Oxford House, one of the Compa-
ny's posts; and in about a month after he
left York Fort, he came to another station
called Norway House, on The Nor,heasl
shore of Lake Winnipeg; ur, it might
he more ap,Iy called, the sea OF " innipeg
for this large sheet of water is not less than
500 miles in length and 80 in breadth.
The voyage from Norway House wa
2 much more rapid and agreeable than 1t had
been up the river The liite sail WAS hoist.
| ed and As the boat gl.ded along the unrui'
fled surface Of the lake, or danced over it:
4: blue waves, Mr.. West was able To enjoy
u the varied scenery of lis shores, and the pic
turesquc islands that adorned its bosom.
There might now he seen sitting by hi'
q side two young Indian boys, dirty, hali-clat
= and uncivilized One bad been intrusted e
him at York Fort by his father; the oihel
was given to him at Norway House. They
knew bu, lilie of English, aud nothing o
Il God; but Mr.. West was cndeayorins Il
3 lead their minds to Him, aud teaching then
u to pray, and the simple prayer, "Grea
j Father, bless me through Jesus Christ, Ou
d Lord" was often heard in broken accent
y from their lips.
# On October the 18Th, the patty entered
b the Red River, and two days more brough
Il them to the settlement.
d Mr.. West had suffered much during thl
e voyage Of 500 miles; for six weeks he ha'
/ passed the whole day. from sunrise to sun
set, in an open boat, exposed to ever.
: change Of weather, hi, limbs cramped by
e want Of space, and henumbed by the wintr.
: air; but the spirit that glowed within hi
:; breast was not 10 be quenchcd 10y Difficult
t. ties; and though it was Sunday afternoon
If when he arrived at the settlement, he woul'
If not lose one precious opportunity, but CAV
notice Of Divine service on the following
: day.
The population at Red River consiste
a, this time (besdes Roman Catholic Cana
1t dians) of between 800 and COO Scotch on
|, and English settlers, large number Of hal