Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-02-19

"a letter which awakened and thrilled
many Christian hearts and brought
many thousand dollars into the treas
ury. A copy may be found in Way
lands Life Of Judson, but the time
worn original Us kept as a sacred
treasure by descendants of Elder Grow.
and this story of the Judson letter
should ever hold a place in the mis-
sionary annals of Windham county.
It is another noteworthy fact in
these annals that its first work under
these mission boards was given to
those races whose status still forms
an unsolvable problem in our national
development. Our first missionaries
sent out by the A. B. c. F. M labored
among the Cherokee Indians. The first
under the Baptist union were sacri-
feed in futile effort for African colo
nization.
The Congregational church Of Hamp-
ton enjoyed the privilege of partaking
in the ordination Of Rev William
Potter in 1920. with special view to
his designation and membership of
the mission to the Cherokee nation IN
der the patronage and direction Of the
American Board"
Mr.. Potter was a native of Lisbon,
Conn, a licenbiate of Windham County
Ministerial association, then recently
married to Miss Laura Well, niece of
tor of the church at Hampton She,
too, was included in this dedicatory
service and her name heads the list of
Windham county woman missionaries
The services were carried through with
much solemDity, Mr.. Everest of Wind
ham preaching the sermon, Mr.. Ely of
Lebanon Offering the consecrating
solemn charge, to the young mission
aries. The Revs. Backus, Dow and
Larned assisted In other functions. A
service OF even greater formality await
ed Mr.. and Mrs. Potter at New Haven,
where with other missionaries they
were set apart and dedicated to the
Cherokee mission by the officers Of the
American Board and leading ministers
Of Connecticut.
There are few sadder pages IN the
annals Of our country than those re-
lating to this tribe Of Cherokees. Their
beautiful country, embracing nearly the
whole of Tennessee and sections ad
joining, excited the envy and eupidity
of the whites Their history is one
long record of struggle and disposses-
sion, with final outcome Of defeat and
removal. The success Of missionary
work among these persecuted Indians
gives the only CLEAN of light in the
dark picture. The American Board es-
tab1ished q mission among them in
Brainard, Ga. in 1915. The story Of
Catharfne Brown was very familiar to
Sunday school scholars Of a past gem
GRAFTON. This little Indian girl, daugh
ter Of the chieftain, insisted upon at
tending the mission school and her
heart was opened to receive the gos
per message. Her conversion was one
of the first fruits of the Brainard mis-
sion and through her fundamentally
the savage father and brothers, mother
and sisters embraced the Christian re-
ligion. But the continued aggression
of the whites left them no peace.
Goods, grain and cattle were taken
from them, and in 1919 the greater
part Of their tribe voluntarily with
drew to the west OF the Mississippi
and 1t was to these expatriated refu-
gees our Hampton missionaries were
assigned for a field of labor.
After a long and weartsome journey
they reached the Cherokee reservation
in March, 1921. The site selected was
Wood Creek, ON the Arkansas river,
where a settlement was in progress
the first tree feHed the preceding Au
gust. Four cabins Of hewed logs had
been erected for dwelling houses and
the inevitable schoolhouse was under
way. Sickness and privatfon, hostility
and disseEsion among the natives had
greatly impeded settlement, but with
courage and faith Mr.. and Mrs. Potter
| entered upon their work. so that within
q year they could give a favorable re-
port Of progress-"a living church in
| the wilderness and hopeful converts
walking together in love" They were
| favored in having as pillars OF the in
! FAINT church that remarkable family
brought into Christianity through the
| influence Of Catharine Brown. This
| interesting convert was now old enough
| to assist in the school, freely giving
| to others what she had freely received.
| Her letters show rare conservation and
maturity Of Christian experience. In
| dian chiefs at Greek Path expressed
| their thanks for the school and in
/ council agreed that their children
| interesting field Mr.. and Mrs. Potter
/ gave their best energies, cl1eerfully
! meeting it's many hardships and priva-
| lions. It's heaviest burdens fell upon
| the women Of the mission. Those who
| embraced the Christian faith were
brought into their families. Compe-
! tent help was unattainable, household
| conveniences almost wholly lacking
/ The labor involved IN providing for and
/ carrying forward these great families
| of unframed savages. in cooking wash
/ ing, ironing, mending. with school du-
| ties and care of their own children, de-
| volved upon these devoted women
| What wonder that many should break
/ down under the burden. Mr.. and Mrs
! Potter remained faithfully at theiI
/ post until a change in administration
| Of the mission, when they returned to
| Oberlin. O., passing the evening OF
/ their days I'm less strenuous service
! Mr.. Potter died in 1891 at the age OF
50.
/ ELLEN D. HARMED