Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1871-03-02
The Indian Mission.

ternal improvements.
The Indian Mission.
Tama County Union Indian Mis-
sion Association originates III sug
gestion of Major l.. Clark, Agen
for the Sac and Fox Indians, living
in the county, made to eeverar~t thu
Ministers OF Toledo, that he proposcs
to apply for appropriations from Thu
Government for educating and chris
tianizing these Indians, and that III,
churches and their pastors could
greatly help the object by acting
with HIM in the matter.
Accordingly delegates from the
churches III the vicinity were APP
pointed and convention called to
meet at the Presbyterian Church in
Toledo, Jan. 10th.
The agent of the Indians, at this
convention, repeated the statement
previously .made to the pastors Of
Toledo. The convention very much
approving and commencing tie OBJ
ject undertaken by the agent, ap-
pointed a committee to draft con.
stitution and articles for an Associa-
ton of the Churches in Missionary
work for the Indians. The meeting
then adjourned to meet at the NJ. Z.
Church in Toledo, Jan. Goth.
According to adjournment the
convention reassembled at the time
in the NJ. y. Church. Delegates from
a large part Of the churches in the
county being enrolled as members
The committee TO draft a con5ti-
tuition, reported articles and by laws,
which were adopted, with some
amendments. Officers and Board
of Control were elected for the wear:
when the convention adjourned to
meet again Feb. 26th.
TIE convention met according to
adjournment. The reconsideration
and amendment OF certain articles
were passed. giving the Board Of
Control power to employ missiona-
ry teachers tor the Indians. After
discussion OF matters pertaining to
tie object Of the Association, the
cons ention adjourned to meet at the
NJ. l.. Church in Toledo, on the last
THURSDAY III January, 1872.
II the people of the county shall
take commemorate interest in this
association ant. its work, the Gov
eminent might perhaps, commit to
its care the entire matter of financial
and. educational agency for the In
dams. But, as matters now stand,
the Board has no funds to pledge
except such as are offered by the In
dian Agent, as an individual.
Ii the churches and people of the
county will raise sum in addition TO
what is offered by Major Clark, the
Board OF Control could doubtless Sc
cure the needed Missionary. It will
be expected OF such individual to
give his whole time and attention to
the Indians, helping them in every
way that CHRISTIAN hand and heart
can, to learn and practice civilized
and christian habits Of industry and
thrift, or morals and manners. The
Indians will need the oversight OF
the Missionary and his best services
for them will be in his personal PRES
ence and advice among them, win
ming them. into better habits anil
character. The work will be self
denying, toilsomc and slow. To lift
the uncivilized man out Of his degra-
dation, up into civilized living has
always been the work ofgensrations.
If we patiently wait Tor years to slow
~ grow Indian life ont Of its savage
state into christian community, we
need not be discouraged. Too long
have we delayed the beginning OF
this missionary labor for the Indians.
Let the Christians Of our county now
atone i'll part for this delay, by doing
more earnestly what is now under.
taken. 1t may BE said that Govern.
ment should do all this. 1t will help
il We are showing ourselves worthy
of confidence. It is nobly lending
aid to Missionary Societies, whlcl,
will man the Indian Agencies Will,
faithful and capable missionary teach
crs. m