Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1859-08-06

nepin, franciscan, describes these falls al
most two centuries ago as "fOrty or fifty feet
high, divided in the middle by rocky island
of pyrahidical FORM" Their appearance has
changed since that time, and what was then
fall Of forty feet has become rapids, extend
ing perhaps an eighth of mile, down which
the father of waters" rusheS with impetuous
sweep amid rocks and islands, presenting a
scene exceedingly picturesque.
>. The most gyalr6ll waterfall we have ever
seen is within es of St. Paul, upon
small stream of lake Harriet. 1t
has but httleUl Facts thunder. Nj
agara symboliz1 ublime, St. Anthony
the picturesque, beautiful. The fall
is about sixty feet presenting parabolic
curve which drops without the least deviation
until it has reached its lower lie 'el, when the
stream goes on its way rejoicing, curling along
in LAUGHING childish glee, at the graceful feat
it has pes rmed in bounding over the preci-
pice.
The climate of Minnesota, though in much
higher latitude, is that of Central New York,
and in healthfulness is unsurpassed by any
portion of our country while the soil is rich
and almost every acre of it arabic.
With its central position, manufacturing
and agricultural facilities, navigable rivers,
numerous projected railroads, healthful eli
mate and the attractiveness Of it's scenery,
| we might expect it to increase rapidly in pop
| ulation and such has been its briet history.
Ten years ago the Indians possessed its broad
acres, and roamed over its vast plains. Form
ed into territory in 1S49, with population
of less than five thousand, it has already be-
come a State of perhaps 100000, and will
doubtless contain in its bosom, within few
decades of years, millions of souls.
Ten years ago the village Of st. Paul con-
sisted OF half dO{en framed houses, a few
log g-cabins with bark roofs, and a population
| OF a few scores now it is city of $1,000
people, with elegant residences, Spacious ware
houses worthy of such a commonwealth
Villages, towns, cities are springing up on every
side, almost realizing the fable magic of the
eastern tale that built palace in night,
while steamboats, are daily ploughing the bos-
ON of its great rivers, the Mississippi, Mime
sofa, and st. CroiX; and railroads are in pro-
cess of construction to interlink the relnotest
points of the state, and bring it into immedi-
ate connection with every other part of our
country. ....r. .....-...
Nor is this garden Of the Northwest re-
gardless of her educational interests. A COM
mon-school system is now inaugurated un-
der the guidance of her best citizens, clerical
and lay, which will secure an education to all
her children, and ST.. Paul the capital has
now organized schools and school edificeS
which would do honor to eastern cities. The
character OF the population, moral, intelligent,
and energetic, combining the thrift of the
Yankee, the persevering industry OF the Ger
man, and the geniality OF the South and West
prcsages prosperous future to Minnesota.
Yet there is, as might have been anticipat-
ed from the ncwness of that progressive
country and the rapid influx of people, great
want Of religious privileges. While churches
are sprnging up rapidly and healthfully in the
towns, the greater number of the population
are dispersed over the wide plains in isolated
cabins, scattered along the rivers, or lost in
the vast lumber regions Of the north, with
out religious reading, schools, ministers, Oh
churches. Thousands hear no gospel preach
ing from month to month, and religious books
and tracts such are furnished by the Ameri-
can Tract Society, oeslot De procured with
in five hundred miles.
Is there not special need Ofjust such cath.
olic and forerunning agency as COlportage tc
seek out these scattered thousands, and bear
to them the bread Of life They are hetero
genous people, comprising EAany religions
lanSuaSeS, anu nallOnalilleS, anu aCCeSSiDle
only by some agency which, passing by the
minor points in dispute among Christians
shall bring the great truths of Christ cruel
iied' into living contact with their hearts
They should be visited at their lonely dwell
lings, urged to accept of salvation provid
ed for the poor, lifted to a throne of grace il
prayer, and supplied with sacred and savins
literature which will preach to them the ev
erlasting gospel where no living minister
comes. This the earnest, untiring, soul
loving colpogtaur, supplied with the works o
this Society, might accomplish. Whence
y shall! come the men and the means to reacl
| and save these thousands There are two
such laborers now in that vast state, twith al
, area greater than the whole of New England
and numerous prospective population.
May we not hope that as the eye of som
benevolent Christian falls upon this state
ment, he will be prompted, by the love G
God and the souls of men, to furnish tn
means to support one, two, or more men i
r this wide and promising field J.?