The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-03-11
BY J. W. BOND.
Concluded.


SUNDAY, September 4th.--Cloudy, cold, ra W
and windy; quite unpleasant and unreasonable
An over coat Is necessary out Of doors this MORN
ing and fires in the house, for comfort; the wealth
er, as well as other matters, serves 10 remind us
of our northern latitude. To-day we had preach
ing by the Rev. John Black, in the dining room
of the Governor house; novelty most certain
ly, in this far distant region. The congregation
consisted Of about a dozen Whites and three Half
breeds The Rev. Mr.. Tanner also ofiiciated
sang and prayed in English; and this afternoon
he preached in the open air, TO the assembled In
dians in the Chippewa language. Some Of them
paid close attention, sitting in a circle upon the
ground; while others were stless and wandering
and others stood looking on from distance, with
the Dragons and half-breeds. The Chippewa is
beautiful sounding language, like the Italian.
Mr.. Tanner uses the Chippewa testament and
hymns, which were translated by his father, who
was for many years prisoner among them, and
wrote book thereon. Mr.. Tanner is about 80
years Of age, and IA very superior man for his
class; he was born on the east side Of Red River
opposite this place; was educated at Macinaw,
and has acted as a missionary among the Indians
at Red Lake, for the last five years. He remov
ed TO this place week ago, and intends farming
teaching school, &c, for livelihood after the
conclusion of the treaty. His wife is half-breed
and they reside at present, in lodge in the yard
at this place. He IS fluent and earnest speaker
and discourses with great fervor and much elo-
quence to his red brethren, and is calculated to
do good, if any can be done among them; he has
been with them on their buffalo hunts TO the Mis-
souri, plains, armed like the rest; and has hunted
buffalo and made pemmican all the week and
preached the Gospel to them on Sundays--this
being one phase Of missionary life upon the prai-
ries. He also has half-breed brother, real
heather as he styles him, who ranks as CHIEF
among the Indians, and who lives among them,
and accompanies them upon their hunts. This
afternoon, things are dull and quiet; the Indians
are strolling around or y, ing idly in their lodges
the squaws are Juggling huge loads Of wood upon
their backs, which they Cut upon the rivers bank
and secure by strap passing over their shoulders
and around the forehead; their bodies bending he
meath the heavy load. Dozens Of dirty children,
half clad in piece of still dirtier blanket, arc
also pla wing around. The half-breeds are sitting
around the fires in the yard; some lying in their
lodges, and others standing at respectful dis
tance, listening to Mr.. Tanner. Their young
priest, nj. Lecombe, has come down from his resi-
dence at the mission house since vespers, and is
holding q consultation with The Governor He
seems to be very intelligent, fine young fellow
and intends accompanying US homewards to St.
Paul, on his way TO Montreal; where the Rev.
Mr.. Black came from, on his way to Selkirk Se.-
Element; thus keeping up an equilibrium in reii-
gous matters, and ef'ecting n change between
these two distant regions, in the persons of two
ministers Of different fahs which is pleasant to
contemplate, and which will be Of great advan-
tage to all concerned.