The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-14
NORTH DAKOTA
SIOUX IN COUNCIL.
Great Annual Meeting Of Presbyter-
ians and Congregationalists
on the Cannon Ball.
What Has BeenAccomplished by the
Two Churches Since the
Year 1884.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal.
Cannon Ball, Sept 14.-The thirty.thtrd
great annual council of the Sioux Indian Chris
tians convened here Sept. 10 and continued sew
eral days. The central meetings We're held in
the great council tent, which has capacity OF
more than 1000. Two thousand Indians were In
attendance from the two Dakotas, Montana
Minnesota and Nebracka. Two hundred and fifty
delegates were enrolled They represented every
church and every organization Of an educational
or religious character under the auspices OF the
Presbyteria and Congregational churches In
the Sioux nation.
Since 1884 these two great bodies of Chris
ttans have been carrying on the work OF missions
among this superstitious and savage tribe
These efforts have met with great success. There
are some thirty Presbyterian congregations with
an aggregate membership of 1900 communicates
and 800 Sunday school members.
The COngregationalists have eighteen churches
], 600 communicates and as many Sunday school
scholars, making in all fifty Protestant churches
and $500 communicates among this former
churches, Sunday school, Y. NJ G.. A.. Chris
tian Endeayor, missionary and other societies
all the machinery Of modern church organiza-
ton in efficient operation.
This annual council Is, to them, however the
browning gathering of the whole year. Thus for
one third of century they have come to-
gether every year from far and near. 1t was
grand sight-their white tepees grouped like an
army, round about the great council tent.
Crawford and Riggs.
Biennially two moderators chosen, who not
only moderate the meetings, but manage all the
business connected with this great annual
gathering. The Indian moderator was the Rev.
Charles r. Crawford, pastor Of the Good Will
Presbyterian church of South Dakota. He was
born at Fort Crawford, Wis.,, almost sixty years
ago. He is the son Of that shrewd Scotch fur
trader, Crawford, and a full-blood Sioux mother.
Rev. A. l.. Riggs, ID. the second moder-
ator, Is the eldest son Of the famous missionary,
Rev Stephen Reserve Riggs ID. He was
born more than sixty years ago In one of the
p,ee cahi at
Indians called him Good Bird when a babe. He
has devoted his life to mission work among the
Sioux and is now superintendent OF the Santee
normal school at Santee. Neb
He and his younger brother, Dr. Phineas
Riggs, Of Oahe, s. D., are the acknowledged
leaders of the congregational work among the
Sioux.
The chief Of the Presbyterian workers is Dr..
J. p Williamson Of Greenwood, S. D., whom
all the Sioux lovingly call 'John." He was born
in 1885, in the old Renville stockade at Lac
qui-Parle. He grew up among the Sioux, can
speak both languages fuently and has greater
power over this tribe than any ether single man.
He is superintendent Of the Presbyterian work
among them. He was one or the leaolnS spirits
Of the council.
Themes Discussed.
During wednesday, Thursday and Friday at.
ternoons there was general discussion OF these
practical themes:
First-How may our Sabbath schools be I'M
Seconds the custom of making presents II
memory Of the dead a good one?
Third-Many church members are weak a.
Fourth Of July celebrations. What can De oone
Fourth Should be engaged inc in Christian
Fifth-Does the white mans dance do any
sizth-Polities and religion-how they may
seventh-What salary should our churches pa;
their pastors?
In such discussions as these the Indian orator
-. a olo, IN Iyv,nvU
not only when to begin, but when to stop. He
has not vet learned to speak against time. IN
these discussions the concensus seemed to be
that their Sabbath schools can be improved IL
the study of the lessons in attendance and II
discipline, and that it Is not wise to maintain
the custom Of memorial presents for the dead
The weakness Of many church members on oul
national holiday was admitted, and more instruc
ton on temperance and adnonition, and in somt
cases suspension for gross sins on such occasion
were advised.
An emphatic .'No'' was given to question No
! 4, and an equally emphatic yes to No. 8
Religion must dominate politics in order t.
| strengthen BOTH fair living salary should
| be paid all faithful pastors
| During these animated discussions the Indians
thronged the council tent overlooking all around
| it, and listening intently to the different speak
ers, approving or disappearing as white Audiences
| do. Formerly Indian audiences listened II
glum silence; now they applaud or oppose ges
ticulate, laugh cry, other races do under
similar circumstances.
l. Separate Church Meetings.
On Friday the presbytery of Dakota and thu
| Congregational association Of Dakota convened
for the transaction of business. It is wonderful
how admirably these converted Indian warrior
| discharge the grave duties of presbyters ant
| councillors in these church courts. There ar,
| full score Of native ministers in this pres
| bytery.
On Saturday the anniversary meetings Of tn
| wonen's missionary societies were held. Thes
were the most interesting of the whole series
| 1t was grand sight to that great ten
| thronged with these nut-brown women of tn
| plains, singing in Indian From Greenland
| Icy Mountains"> and similar hymns, bowling Il
prayer together, discussing intelligently the dit
| ferent phases Of mission work and bringing ric
| gifts out Of their poverty into the treasury 0
their Lord and Savior.
Anniversaries Of the Young Mems Christia
association, Young Peoples Christian Endeavo
and other minor organizations were held durin
the evening hours of the different days.
Sunday Great Day.
Sabbath dawned, glorious day. At the earl
dawn the sound of prayer and praise rose frol
the white tepees of the Christian Indians.
vast audience gathered to hear the word Of Go
proclaimed in the wild, barbaric tongue of til
j Dakotas. Fully 1900 Of both races, many wit
moistened eyes, sat down together at the sacrs
mental supper
During the hours of the closing day tent NEE
ings with groups Of intimate friends were hel
here and there all over the camp ground, Ever,