The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1878-08-01
An Indian (,amD Mecting.

On Sunday last, we met with an ex-
perlence entirely new to us. 1t was In
attending camp meeting Of Indians,
at point about one and half miles
southwest Of the station of Weldon
Creek, Mason county, and some seven
teen miles west Of Baldwin. Special
trains were run from Reed City and
Ludington. From this direction, the
villages Of Reed City, Chase, Nirvana
and Baldwin were represented.
We believe we speak the minds of
many Of those who visited the meeting
when we say that we did not know as
to what religious views were held by
the Indians (Ottawas and. Chippewas)
living upon what was until recently
known as the Indian Reservation; and
we were quite surprised to learn that
the Methodist form of worship was the
one most largely used. There are some
Catholics, we understand.
The meeting had been in progress
for three or four days. At the time we
arrived on the ground Ia beautiful ma
pie and beach grove on the banks of
the pure, sparkling Pere Marquette
river) there were perhaps 1000 people
present. Rev. j. M. Aikens, white
Methodist clergyman from Ludington
was preaching from rough board
stand. A ''love feast" had been held
previous to preaching. Seated on the
stand, Rev. J. II. Robinson, the noted
Indian missionary, of Mt. Pleasant;
Rev. Jonas Henry, the missionary ut
Weldon Creek; several local Indian
preachers; Rev. L. Curtiss, (white) Con-
gregational missionary residing at
Weldon Creek; land to whom we are
indebted for his hospitality and cour-
tesy), and Rev. Mr.. Smith, (white)
Methodist pastor at Riverton. In front
of the stand were arranged rough seats
of plank and puncheons, occupied by
the congregation. Arranged in the
form of semi-circle, and some two
rods distant outside the seats, were sew
eral platforms, built by placing four
forked stakes in the ground, laying
poles across covered with cedar bark,
and that with earth. Bonfires were
kindled upon these, at night-fall, to IL
Illuminate the grove. Still outside the
platforms, were the tents of those
camping, with hammocks containing
pappOoses sleeping while being gently
swung backwards and forwards by the
breeze. No tent nor bower had been
erected to shelter the worsllippers-the
dense foliage overhead officially pre-
venting the rays of the sun from pene-
trating. 1t was veritable illustration
of the saying that "The groves were
Gods first temples" At the conclu-
sion of Mr.. Aiken's remarks, collec-
ton was taken up for the benefit of the
missionary work in Mason county, and
q recess was taken for lunch.
AT 2 o'clock the congregation again
assembled and listened to preaching by
Robinson. He is fluent talker, alter
mating his speech in Indian and Eng
lish. He spoke with earnestness Of
feeling, exhorting his people to en-
brace religion and lead sober, indus
trious lives. Brief glimpses of his own
experience were very pathetically rem
dered, and drew tears from many an
eye. Once he was wealthy; but his
wealth had been swept away. Once
he was a most wicked, reckless man;
now he had become thoroughly con-
verted, and was preaching among his
people, and toiling at farm labor; his
wife (and he himself in Winter) teach
ing school, for the support of the fami-
ly beyond the scant allowance from
the missionary fund. His heart seemed
in the work, and he looked as though
he spoke truly when he said he felt
happy In his life. At the conclusion
of his remarks, fourteen Indians-male
and female-.were received into full
membership in the church. The cere-
mony was in Indian tongue; they hav-
ing the "dicipline," as well as hymn
books I'm their own language. Most of
the singing was very agreeable-as a
fair portion of them seemed to be quite
at home with the old familiar melo-
dies. The sacrament of bread and
wine was administered; large portion
of the Indians present participating.
In the evening, the closing exercises
of the meeting began. The scene as
now presented was indeed strange and
facinating to o novice In camp-meeting
programmes. Bonfires blazed upon the
platforms, while on many trees were
fastened supports bearing torches; the
whole throwing glare over the inn
mediate center Of the ground, which
produced q vivid contrast with the dark
shadows Of the forest, with their fore
ground Of white tents, with occa-
sional dusky forms fitting about, or sit
ting and viewing with seeming stolid
indifference, the animated scene before
them. First came sermon In Indian
tongue. Then came three dusky mat
rons, each bearing an infant In her arms
And accompanied by her husband.
Ranging themselves before the altar,
the missionary Henry advanced, ac-
companied by a young Indian bearing
q tea-cup Of water and light. The
solemn service for christening was then
rend. and each infant baptized.
Prayer and singing followed;. when
the missionary called q middle-aged
Indian, apparently dressed with no
more care than ordinarily, who came
forward and took q seat In front of the
stand. A female, apparently younger
than the man, was next called from
the opposite side OF the congregation;
she coming and taking seat at the
left of her Intended, who directed her
by pointing to the seat. They sat there,
she with downcast eyes; while he gazed
directly In front, at the group on the
stand; both wearing that expression
less face peculiar to the Indian; until
we began to wonder as to what the