The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-12-30
FOR TIE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
MODERN MISSIONS.
ABoR1GINEs OF THIS COUNTRY.

ABORIGINES OF THIS COUNTRY.
l will next notice the Aborigines of our
own country. In the early settlement of New
England, Elliot and others did much for the
advancement of Christianity and civilization
among them. The same is true of David
Brainerd, in New Jersey and Pennsylvania; /;
but Indian wars in New England, and after
wards our revolutionary war nearly blotted
out what had been done. In about 1915,
the long suspended labor was resumed, and
Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury went to the Choc-
taws, then residing in what is now Missis-
sippi and Louisiana. saw him on his way,
being in my eleventh year. His labors were
abundant, and more successful than those of
any other who has preached among these
tribes. He died about three years ago, at
the advanced age of eighty-four. "May the
mantle of this ascended Elijah rest on you,
my brother" addressing the missionary and
as you are about TO succeed lin, may you
reap abundantlv and with ioy. where he
sowed with tears.
During DR.. KingsburyS stay among the
Indians, other evangelical denominations en-
gagged in she work. Their labors were at
tended with varied success. How many
members have been gathered into the vari-
GUS churches among the various tribes, or
how many are in them now do not know.
We have an Indian Presbytery composed of
missionaries and Indians, but how many Of
them are Indians l cannot tell At the
meeting of our General Assembly in Louis
vile, KY, few years ago, the Rev. Mr..
Wright, Choctaw Chief, was a member.
The religious interest among some of the
most uncultivated tribes has been lately very
great. Take the following from the NeaO
York Evangelist of June l1th, 1874. The
same appeared in several other religious pa
pers about the same time.
REVIVAL AMONG THE INDIANS.
With the message from Father Spald-
ing, to which we referred last week, he de-
sired to be sent the following most welcome
and grateful tidings, which another wrote
down at his bedside:
"You will be interested to know Of the
continuance of the marvellous work of God
among these heather tribes of Indians
Within the short space of eighteen month";,
over six hundred of the Nez Perces have
been received into the Church of Christ
For about year the revival among the Nez
Perces for some reason has received sad
check but it extended Immediately to the
Spokans to the north of US, of whom two
hundred and ffty-three, besides eighteen
children, were received into the Church last
Summer, and many more have been awaiting
brother Spalding's anticipated fifth visit this
Spring for baptism.
"There are now, as the fruits Of preaching
the Gospel of Jesus among these fading tribes,
deducting deaths and accommodations, and
including twelve of the native Nez Perces
church of former years, nine hundred and
twenty.s seven native converts among the Nez
Perces and Spokans. And now the earnest
of Gods Spirit causes US again to rejoice,
in bringing aprincipal chief of the Unvatil-
las distance Of 90 miles to receive bap-
tism at the hands of Father Spalding on his
bed of lingering disease and impending
death. He brings intelligence, too, that
about twenty more of his tribe are anxious
for Protestant baptism, and presents his petit
tion for missionary to labor among his peo-
pie. Again comes, 500 miles from the north
west of us, the word from the chief Moses
years ago a boy in the mission family o.
brother Spalding, saying You are my faith
or. l have turned to Jesus, and hundreds
of my people desire to know the way Still
another call, from another direction, pleads
Come, and receive FIVE of US into the
Church. Brother Spalding says Put these
things together, and stir up the Church.
II. 7. c."
ROMAN CATHOLIC COUNTRIES.
l will notice next the countries of tn,
Pope. In several Of these the change ha
been SO great that Popish Spain might vel
nigh be called Protestant Spain, Popish TIA
ly, Protestant Italy, Popish Austria, Protes
tant Austria, Popish Mexico, Protestan
Mexico, and Popish South America, Protea
tant South America. Has there in mOderl
n