New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-10-04
MISSIONS AMONG THE SIOUX.
A GATHERING AT CROW CREEK.


which interests us most the little band of reunited
drawing their chairs together now at the
agents now in the mssOnary's parlOr, now at their
hospitable tables or the scattered camps OF Chris
tan Indians along this broad plateau Crow Creek
Agency lies very the east bank of the Missouri,
between Soldier Creek and Crow Creek. This
agency. houses painted white. with couple of
modest church steeples and substantial Government
school buildings. looking not unlike an orthodox
New-England hamlet, nestes among trees in the
sheltered valley between the bluffs and the river.
The little chapel is filled to overlooking. Every
bench is crowded. and chairs are placed in the aisle
for later Corners The reverent hush is to our ears
not rreverently broken by the occasional subdued
yelp of some incorrigible cur the cry OF child
Many of the Indian women are nursing their babies
behind the sheiteying shawl. The women as q rule
are heavier than the men, and at first sight look
clumsy in their urmodern amplitude of brilliant
drapery vet there is au Old-world grace about the
unincumbercl lines of the short petticOats the
slant folds of the shawl ending in heavy fringe the
arms and bosom concealed and the bent head WIN
its uncovered blackness of glossy hair. Inc TWO
plaits in which Indian women invariably wear their
hair are drawn forward and the string of jet beads
about the neck is usually finished with silver cross
Sometimes there tiny crosses III the ears but the
ornaments of these women are few Wonderful
are the green the white, tho blue, tho scarlet OF
gown and shawl, and the feet which are hOeraly
displayed, are cred with richly embroidered
moccas;ns. The dress of the men deserves less com
ment none wear blankets some have long hair, and
crotesoue combinations of citizens attire according
m Indian ideas of fitness are not wanting among
them.
Srddenlv in tie midst of n deeper hush. choir
of rich male voices outside strikes up the Gloria III
Excelsis, and a whitc-rObed procession enters the
church and passes between rows OF devOut woishp-
pers Up toward the altar. The whole congregation
rise TO their feet and join in the chant, III the
musical language of the DakOtas, with swelling
volume of sound Twelve white and native minis
ters march two by two, and last the bishop Walks
little apart the rich gown and tho lawn sleeves sur
mounted by as impressive head. as noble ana re-
fined features, as ever rose TO the deman IS Oh an
office of such exalted dignity The purple light Of
the chancel windows falls like glory OH the white
snrplices and touches the closely cropped raven
head of one of tie natl clergy The faces of these
Indian men are as finely earnest as thoso OF any oil
,beir bro theirs, and among the younger there are
some of 81 ngular beauty, with smooth, olive com
plexions. lark expressive eyes, and powerful cias
sically cut features TIE Litany ana other parts Oh
the church service are conducted by TWO or throe
IN the Dakota tongue. with full and reverent re-
sponse from the people. Dakota hymn Is sung
Then Bishop Hare comes forward ana speaks
slowly and impressively. The Rev. Luke walker
natl ye pastor ut Lower Bruh acts as his Interpreter
speaking with great force and rapidly, and with
admirable gesture.
The bishop SAYS 81 thinl; that sec before me the
welve tribes of Israel The Israeites were Gods
chosen people. and this is the gathering of tie
tribes Yoa come here from a hundred miles TO the
north and two hundred to the west 10 attend tn se
,crvices There are the Santec Indians from Sahtee
the Upper and the Lower Y Inktonnaisthe Lssetons
from Lisseton Agency, the Ogalallas from fine
Ridge. the Cheyenne River Indians AMI the Upper
Bruhs from Rosebud. l SEQ before me representa-
tive, of thirty-sx congregations Some OF you
were two DAYS on the road some four. five SIX
MANY of Won have been wet with ralu, and some
have been hungry. But | know that TINS day re-
wards you for all that you have met OF trias.
The bishops address tells the half-taught Indians
from their scattered mission stations what they
most needed and longed to know. 1t tells them in
Main 6cures of the progress thcy have made of the
cornnarotiye results of work in different fields
Each little struggling church. working on to all
ntonts an PURPOSES quite alone learns OF lncreas-
ing members and increasing zeal in sister churcheS
comparison with the figures of former years SHOWS
the encouragement Of steady growth. Inc DiShop
holds up two papers one scrap a lew lhches long
contains the names of all the churches Ill Southeh
Dakota five years ago; the others iluttcrng length
ia inscribed With the names OF all tho present
churches Five years ago $500 was given against
81, SEQ last year; 1G6 were confirmed IN loo4'
much larger number than that OF any previous date'
rharc are now l 900 communicates In all in these
Dakota mission churches Bishop Hare gives some
words of deserved praise to the touching efforts OF
Oh. women. With the painstakng labor OF their
own hands. these loving ignorant, ovcr-burdened
.rootnres have Ontributcd largely to the Work.
They have not seldom been known 70 go hunerv
that they might give to me chnach Ti E0 IN thc
nainiu1 unenghtend, lowly anC IaDOriOuS nc, 10
The humility and self-abnegation OF CHRISTIAN
women IN all ages ..a:o ,,ords ~, tta
,acredness of the marriage relation close TINS pra
teal and most effective sermon. The union OF ono
man with one woman. for life, ~ mutual Iove anu
sarvice as the basis of Christianity. the unit oil
ciyIiizaton is put With great force ana great sln-
plicity before the people Just @ TER ScIptupa
command is placed upon the lesson very toncn-
Ing and beautiful communion service follows MahV
az the vounr men and women who bend NJ thlS
i,ar conc of them from the school at Hampton. are
neafly dressed and in all respects observe as 1uly
as any white congregation the decorum OF time anu
Mace The earnestness and reverence oI tne oIuer
neonie is all the pathetic for the strange con-
tras1s IN their looks and apparel, ana the stndy 81
those dark. powerful wTnkied faces trara
Tie eyes At last the kneellng ranks arse. anu 10
The inspiring sound of another Dakota hymn the
nroccssion recedes and the Indians dlspersc.
PiWWo lave d;ncd we'll aud talked much Let us
wander now about the Indian camp and observe
What has yet for us the charm OF noyelty.tne
everyday looks and salutatiOns OF tins strange
nsonic and their quaint, primitive Housekeeping.
Most of the groups are striking end picturesque /;
women crouching oyer their camp-iIes ana Kettles,
81" meat sizzling in the pan. the coffee boiling over
The Goals. the appetizing-looking. piles Of sort OF
fried bread; handsome. dirty children tnnbling
about; men talking mok.ns or silently Se,r,
greeting the powerful handgrasp. are delightful IN
Their way; and amazingly welcome are the eager
SON and bearing of many Hampton students VINO
have heard of our arrival They are not more I'M
patient TO greet their old teachers and inquire cor
about their daily lives and the value to themselves
and OILERS of their especial training. In nearly ny