St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-08-19
Wonderful Work Of a Couple
Of Half-Breeds in North
ern Minnesota.
The Tom-Toms and Images
Thrown Away for More
Sensible Religion.
How the Services Are Con-
Quoted in the WildS Of the
North Woods.

Vi WILD la IL ~ wi 49,
with wonder upon most unique phe-
nomenon-a Me thodlst revival among
band of Chippewa Indians, whose mode
of worship in the past has partaken
largely of idolatry, says the correspond
ent of the st. Louis Globe Democrat.
The matter has become the leading
topic of conversation all along the iron
range, and men whose lives have been
spent in close intercourse with the
Northern red men of the trackless for
ests, aver that the present awakening
can be classed as one of the great won
derS of the world, and that the MIL
lenium cannot be far distant.
At the head OF Vermillion Lake,
thirty miles distant from this point, is
located an Indian village, presided over
by Chief Wake-mOn web, distin-
guished parsonage, who stands high up
in the ranks of Chippewa royalty. The
band over which he rules lives apart
from the main tribe, has its own tradi-
lions and religious belief, and seems to
have nothing i'll common with the
Chippewa nation aside from language,
color and tradition uncleanlinesS of per-
son. The village consists OF the score
of huts formed of the bark of the birch
tree, rude and primitive in appearance.
The site is on the hillside, which slopes
gently down to the waters of the cryS-
tai lake, an opening or clearing hemmed
in by an almost impenetrable forest or
birch and pine.
While on an exploring tour Frank
Porter, half-breed Chippewa. who had
been converted to the Christian religion
in Canada, found this sequestered band,
and was aStOniShed to learn that they
were living in a state of idolatry and in
utter ignorance of the true God. He de-
termined to make an effort to snatch
them from pagan darkness and lead
them into the light of Christianity, and,
calling the dusky band about him, told
them the touching story of the cross.
He was jeered at and looked upon as
mild lunatic, but with Christian per-
sistence he talked to them day after
day, read to them from a copy of
the New Testament printed in the
Chippewa tongue, and offered up the
most eloquent prayers in their behalf.
Like startling revelation the light of
truth pierced the dark belief of Chief
Wake-mon-web and to the amaZement
of hiss dusky followers, he announced
that he had cast off the lifelong tradi-
lions of his people and would in future
adopt the white mans religion. His
family, wife and two comedy daugh
tiers, followed III his footsteps, and not
only embraced the Christian faith but
lent their efforts to win other converts
from the unbelieving band.
The Chief Converted.
Encouraged by his success, Porter
] summoned to his aid a cousin. a Mrs.
| Ellen Dempsey, also half-bred. who
resided near Saltwater, in this state.
| Mrs. Dempsey had had some expert
ence in missionary work among the
| ChippewaS, and fastened to the aid OF
! her cousin, armed with hymn books
| printed in both English and Chippewa.
By the time She reached the Wake-mon-
! web village Porter's flock numbered a
| dozen souls, and Mrs. Dempsey set
| earnestly at work to teach them to sing
the HYMNS of the Methodist church. In
this task she was eminently successful.
and soon formed a choir of which she
was justly proud:
In company with a few citizens of
| Tower the writer yesterday boarded a
small steam yacht and sailed over the
bosom of the. picturesque lake to the
scene of the revival. The boat was met
at the landing by crowd of dusky ma
tives and cordial welcome extended to
| IUc DdlG-ldGGO NiollOlo' l. VI WI
and Mrs. Dempsey were there, and
spoke in the most glowing terms of the
great work they were accomplishing in
| their efforts to redeem their people.
| Mrs. Dempsey, woman of low stature,
| with a bright face, over which the
smiles seemed ever ripping back and
| forth, extended a cordial Invitation to
the party to ascend the hill TO the coun-
Gil house, where a service would soon
be held. We found the structure
formed of poles set in the ground
short distance apart in oetagonal
form, and Surmounted by conlcal roof
of birch bark. Logs laid upon the
ground served as seats. and large goods
| box decorated with wild flowers gath
cred in the surrounding forest was used
as a pulpit. In this council house, I'M
der the leadership of the medicine man,
| the dances and idOlatrOuS rites of the
band were once performed, but the con-
verts to the Christian religion now be-
ing i'll the majority, the place had been
converted into house of worship.
Around the building were grouped a
number Of tents and hastily constructed
bark huts, in which were lodged In
dams from a distance VINO had heard
| of the strange proceedings and had come
from up and down the lake and from
| adjoining lakes Ill tHelT DHCH oal
| canoes to witness the wondrous revival
The Service.
Mrs. Dempsey announced that they
would sing the old familiar hymn !:
Come, thou fount of every blessing. F"
and, in the Chippewa tongue, the hymn
was rendered i'll 4 manner that sur
prised pale-face visitors. The low.
musical tones of the Indian voice are
81 -lar 70 tlnUnH in the
liquid melody of song the effect was
crinnl