Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-03-26

evening was one of the most success
full events of the kind ever held IN
der the auspices of the congregation.
The programme, which was in the
interests of missions. was OF an ex-
tremely pleasing nature and thorough
ly appreciated by the congregation.
During the evening the pastor, Rev.
R. R. Bigger read an instructive COM
munication received recently from Rev.
d. D. Allen, who is a home missionary
among the Indians at Spokane, Wash.
Mrs. Bertha Allen, nee Rosenberg, wife
of the minister. formerly lived lin
Wheeling and was a member of the
Third Presbyterian church. The con-
tents of the letter, which are as fol-
lows, we're therefore listened to with
much interest by those present:
I'VE commenced work among the
Spokane Indians the first of March.
AS they had been without preaching
services for. about eight months, ex-
cept during the quarterly Communion
seasons, they were hungry for the
gospel. Although the Indians are
very much scattered, yet the services
have been well attended. At the first
weekly prayer-meeting service, 40
were present. One day there were 81.
Sometimes there have been perhaps 12O
present at the preaching services. Part
sit on benches without any backs,
part on the floor, and there is gener-
ally a row of boys around the edge OF
the pulpit platform. Some of the In
dams seem to prefer to sit on the floor
through the service, with no support
for their back.
I'm the open Conference, at the
close of the afternoon service. have
counted ten on the floor, all talking at
the same time. Some with a great
flow of tears, will tell how bad their
heart is, even though they strive to
be good. Some of our regular attend
ants come a distance of 10 or II miles.
We held Communion Services, on the
last Sabbath of March, in the Spokane
River church. The Communion Ser
vice, to the Indians, is somewhat as
the Passover was to the Jews. 1t is
looked forward to from one time to
ollOLuCl WILL Sldu ~uIlClpdlLOLo ILCy
will all make their arrangements to
be present. If they are preparing to
take a journey, they will postpone 1t
until after the Communion season. If
they are away from the reservation,
they will endeavor to get back before
that time. At the time appointed, they
may be seen coming from all direc-
tons, and from all parts of the reserva-
tion, with their tents, provisions, cook
Ing utensils, etc., packed On ponies. In
q short time the ground about the
church for some distance, will be dot
ted over with their tepees, (tents).
They are all built in the form of a cone
with an opening in the top for the
smoke to escape. We commenced the
services on Friday at 10 a. m. with a
conservation meeting of one season.
We held two preaching services each
day, with meetings of session during
the intervals. About 25 persons came
before the session. The members have
a custom of coming before the session
if they have committed any offense
since the last communion season, and
confessing it. The session councils
with them as to what curse they
should pursue, that they may present
themselves a~cceptably at the Lords
table. Some have had a quarrel, some
have Travelled on the Sabbath day, etc.
They have much greater fear of eat
ing nd drinking unworthily, than many
of the so-called white Christians. Two
heads Of families were received into
membership. One suspended member
was restored. and two infants were
baptized. The preparatory services
were well attended. There was such
q congregation at the Communion SER
vices that there was almost no stand
Ing room left. Almost every member
of both churches were present. Very
great reverence was manifest, witness
ing that the spirit of the Lord was
truly present.
"'The Indians have been so long ac-
customed to their heathenish practices,
that only an entire conservation to the
Lords service will lead them to give
them up. One of the elders was dis
missed from the eldership for attend
ing the medicine dance. That is SO
revolving in its nature that it can't be
tolerated among processing Christians.
None of the men, except those who
have long hair, are permitted to take
part in the dance. Hence we try to
prevent our male members from wear
ing long hair. They are ashamed of
the dance and keep it hid as much as
possible. Before the introduction of
Christianity, the practice of sorcery
was so universal for the cur of all ills.
thatsnothing but the grace of God will
lead them to give it up.
"The need of a new church building
at Wellpinit has been keenly felt. AL
though most of them are quite poor,
yet they have already subscribed more
than $500. They have hewed the stills,
and are hauling the stone for the foun-
dation. Fort Spokane, just across the
Spokane river from this reservation.
has been transferred from the war
department to the Indian department.
1t is the purpose Of the agent to have
a government school started there next
fall. AS there are about three reserva-
tions: Spokane, Coolville and Coer,
under the agency, the agent expects to
have a school of 500 or 600 pupils.
There is a church and mansion in con-
Eection with the Fort. If we can Sc
cure the transfer of these to our Board
of Home Missions, it will give us ac-
cess to a great work.
'@This tribe of Indians are in touch
with the large Nez Pelim tribe. Their
chief, Moses, was a%ntagonistic to Chris
tianity, and would not allow a minis
ter to come among them. The Lord
removed him by death. His widow
and many of the tribe would welcome