Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-27
IN OLD MACKINAC.
Missionary Work Among Indians in
Early Period of the Nation.
From the Youths Companion.

From the Youths Companion
When the history of American Missions is
finally written it is to be hoped that due
space will be given to the heroic efforts on
behalf of the various Indian tribes which,
through migration or other causes, ceased
in time and left no continuous work as l1v-
ing monuments of the devotion of the
founders.
Among the heroes of this class was the
Rev. David Bacon of Connecticut, father Of
illustrious children and grandchildren. He
went forth in 1900 under the Connecticut
Missionary Society and worked first in De-
troit, then at Mackinac Island. at the juno
ton of Lakes Michigan and Huron, ana
still later in New Connecticut" in Ohio.
He was the first Protestant preacher In
Mackinac and labored with great faithful
ness for the Indians. His letters to Con-
necticut required six weeks for delivery IN
summer, and there was little or no man IN
winter. His salary was $3.50 year, sum,
as it proved on which 1t was Impossible
for him to live; and the long delays IN
communication with New England added
to tthe trials inevitable to work of the
character in which he was engaged.
Later the American boards took up the
work on a larger scale. Ardent young
missionaries. just out of school, sawed out
with a whipsaw the timbers for the mis-
sion house, and built the church, which
stands to this day. These young men
wrought great good, although it was good
of which the record is mostly buried in
missionary reports or recorded only in
heaven
But the Indians moved on, the fur trade
ceased, the work at. Mackinac languished
and in time was given up.
Then after an interval of many years
came a new population. The fort and
much Of the island belonged to the gov
eminent and in 1875 the government land,
exclusive of the fort, became a national
park.
Then and in all the years since came in
creasing numbers of summer residents
The old mission house became hotel and
the fur store where the AStors accumulated
wealth was converted into hosiery for
visitors. New hotels and summer cottages
annually from its Information and in au-
tumn sank back again into its accus-
toned lethargy.
Meantime the old church, erected by the
missionaries in 1880, had grown more and
more dilapidated, and. seemed likely to dis
appear altogether. But a few of the sum-
mer visitors, recalling the history of mis-
Sionary laborS on the island, began a
movement to save that monument of al
most forgotten fidelity. The other guests
responded to the appeal that was made.
A thousand dollars was raised. The
church building was repaired and made
comfortable and arrangements were made
for services at least during the summer
season.
The result proved a blessing to all who
had part in it. 1t established a new part
nership between modern life and the he
roiSm OF past service. 1t introduced into
the life of the summer visitors an unob-
trusve but effective element of religious
feeling and aspiration.
1t may be true that in many places re-
ligious work is impeded by thoughtIess
summer visitors; but in many other places
it is greatly strengthened by the coming
of people of culture and of resource to
feeble and depleted communities Blessed
is the man whose summer vacation has
left behind him a happy memory of his
visit and an abiding evidence Of his love of
the best things in the community where
he has been.