Stikeen River journal., 1898-06-04
Presbyterian Missions
OF southeastern Alaska
Northern Light.

y recent journey from Jackson To
Sitka enabled me to meet several of our
workers. and CLEAN something of the
present conditions, and future outlook
of the Missions.
The native church ut Wrangcl is in
charge of Rev. Clarence Thwing, Nj. D..
Meetings ut church and \. Nj. {. y.
Hall are we'll attended The boom at
Wrangc has resulted in many of the
natives disposing of their property, and
present indications are that the old
town site will soon all be in the possess
sion of the whites. \ plan is proposed
of having the natives remove several
miles down the channel and build Il
new town. To this place the mission
church established for them would
have to be removed. There is press
ing need for work among the whites at
Wrangcl TO meet this II Presbyteri-
an church for whites has been organ
lied, and the congregation expects to
be able to raise five hundred dollars
towards the support of pastor. If the
remainder of his support could be pro-
vided for. an additional worker could
then be secured for this needy field.
At Juneau. the native work is in
charge of Rev. l.. +. Jones. but the ma
tives are being gradually crowded out
of their village. SO that they. and
the mission established. will probably
soon have to seek for new quarters. The
work among the whites is under the
leadership of Rev. J. Fl. Condit who has
recently suffered such a sad bcreave-
ment in the death of his wife. He has
taken hi. three children to friends in
Iowa. but will return at once to con-
tinuc his uphill, but most hopeful, labor
in this city of great quartz mines.
\ projected townsite and railway
terminus has caused a radical change
at the Haines Mission. The Home will
he closed. ANA the mission work carried
ON in new quarters. Rev. w. w.
Warne will remain in this field.
Rev. A. f.. Austin, the veteran resi-
dent missionary of Alaska since the
resignation of Mrs Mcfarland, has re-
to the East In this field is the church
for natives and also one for whites, in
addition to the Industrial and Training
School for natives under the superin-
tendency of Mr. w. \. Kelly. Ar
engagements have been made for the APP
pOintment of a successor to Mr. Austin.
The important field at Howkan, Jack
son, II. O.. is at present vacant owing
To the transfer OF tho missionary at
that place to Sitka. Rev. j. L. Gould.
IA former missionary. who still resides
there. conducts religious services regu-
larly. 1t is hoped that some one will
soon be paced in permanent charge of
this station. Such is a brief survey of
missions visited.
The work of the Home Board has
hitherto been almost exclusively among
the natives. The results have been
ill'St tiiA'tti a. lux .fuiiN hiNt ittli
civilized and Christianized much more
must be done. In general terms the
furture of the native races can be safely
predicted Here. as elsewhere. in sim
liar conditions. the Indian must adopt
civilized habits or perish from the
land For civilization and barharism
cannot remain in close contact and both
flourish. How great then the need
of carrying to them the Gospel. But
an immense task. in addition to this,
must now be faced. The Gospel must
he preached to the vast host of whites
:}ow pouring into the territory. Tn
speakablc dangers confront us if We
Ill to do this. The welfare and pros
Gritty not only of individuals, but also
ii the whole land is at stake. In sew
cral places now the law abiding. and
Nv defying, people stand face to face
most ready for battle. 1t is openly
iarged that some prominent officials
&C closely allied to the latter. Only
I t gospel of Christ can permanently
bdue the turmoil and confusion that
lnw reigns. NJ. ID. MCCLELLAND.