Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1885-10-01
ALL FOR THE INDIAN.

Gathef1nS or Presbyterian ana Con.
gregati0nal Ministers at sisseton
Reservation.
Browns Valley. Sept. 2S-The annual
missionary meeting Of the Presbyterian
and Congregational churches for the
northwest convened at Tyakaplaps. Sis
seton reservation, on Wednesday. This
is conference of great interest and inn
portsnce, and is usually largely attend
ed. A very interesting feature of this
meeting is the large attendance of In.
dians yearly. The work of civilizipg
these people goes steadily on. The gos-
pei Is constantly making headway
among them, ind greater numbers are
brought under its influence. In addition
to the white men who are preaching the
gospel among the red men, q number Of
native preachers are also engaged in the
work, and as rule they are very eff
cient and influential for good. This
conference ls a matter of great interest
to the native preachers and converts,
and very generally attended by them.
At the last meeting the attendance was
very numerous and the exercises of
great interst. On Wednesday afternoon
there was theological conference, the
object of which was to instruct the ma
tive preachers in the scriptures and
make them more competent for their
work. On Thursday there was the usual
routine business. On Friday the meet.
ing assumed more popular characte,
and became very interesting. The ques
ton OF the duties of the Young Mems
Christian association to the church, how
to secure the spiritual interest of the
church, and other kindred topics, were
discussed through both Friday and
Saturday. On both days the Women'e
Missionary society held meetings, which
were we'll attended. In the evening OF
both days the Indians Young Mems
Christian association held meetings in
the church, which was attended and
supervised by Rev. H. F. Williams, cor.
responding secretary OF the Young
Mems Christian association for the
Northwest. Yesterday was the great
day of the meeting. In addition to the
numerous attendance of Indians and
white people already on the grounds
there was large influx of strangers
from Browns valley, Wilmot and the
surrounding country. The attendance
was so large and the weather so pleasant
that the service was held outdoors, as
not one-half could be accommodated in
the church. The service was opened in
the usual form, and then an Indian
infant was baptized and four natives
received into the Indian church of Tya-
kaplaps on profession of their faith. A
sermon was preached by Solomon. a ma.
tive preacher, after which the Lords
supper was celebrated by Artemas, q
native preacher, and Rev. John P. Will
Hanson, of the Yankton agency, an hon
ored name among the Indians. The
number of commandments was very large
many whites as we'll as Indians partlci.
pating. On Sunday afternoon an Eng.
| llsh service was held in the church for
the whites, at which Rev. D. w. c.
Roberte, secretary of the Presby,
| terian board of home mis-.
sions, preached an able ser
mon. After this service q missionary
| meeting was held, and in the even.
ing another gathering of the Young
Mems Christian association. The next
annual meeting was appointed to meet
at Devils Lake, Oak. In addition to
the members of the conference, whites
and Indians, quite number of white
ministers and others from abroad were
present, including Rev. DR.. Roberts, oil
New York; Rev. DR.. Roy, congregation
alist, of Chicago; Revs. Williams, Cress
we'll, Peterson and others. Some came
from Montana.