East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1917-09-22

in keeping men in the field to minis
ter to the Indians, it being impossi-
BILE to obtain a missionary who would
come and make his home in the isola-
ton of the place. With this condi-
tion confronting him for number of
years, DR.. w S Holt synodical mis-
sionary of oregon, cast about for a
young man to take the place, without
permanent results. In 1899 J. NJ. Cor
Nelson. from Richmond, Ky. who
was studying for the ministry ON the
Pacific coast, was persuaded to take
the position, and at once began his
labors. with no knowledge OF the
language and with no help except
that offered by religiously inclined
redmen With the coming of Rev.
Cornelison the dark days of the mis-
sion passed, and the growth of the
church has been constant and per-
manent since.
For three years Rev. Cornelison
lived in a tent. practically alone with
his Bible and faithful dog. Study
ing the language. making friends OF
the redmen of the tribe. learning of
the country and how best to interest
his little flock in its development. as
occupied his time month after month.
Gradually the clouds lifted, new build
ings were erected and liberal re-
sponse was aroused in the hearts of
the wild men who had found in the
church helper in time of need
The task OF Missionary Cornelison
would have been infinitely lessened
had it not been for the assistance CIV
en- by Major Lee MoOrhouse, a for
mer agent on the Umatilla reserva-
tion. Major Moorhouse had won the
| confidence of the redmen, and to
them he appeared much as the Good
Father" His close acquaintance with
the leading men of the tribe gave him
power for good and enabled him to
be of untold help in the work of in
| Producing the Bible into the homes of
the people. Not only was the work
of a religious character, but Major
Moorhouse was ena bled to gather per-
haps the most representative collec-
tion of Indian photographs to be
found in the country.
A Religious Innovation.
The revivaI meeting is an innova-
tion introduced recently in religious
work among the Indians. At first the
idea of meeting in enthusiastic reli-
gious gatherings was repugnant to
the braves of the tribe, but gradual
ly the plan appealed to the better
class, and the most loyal support is
now given to the work. Money is
freely contributed to pay expenses
men and women give up their time
and labor as freely as do philanthro-
pists of the Caucasian race. At first
the meetings were confined to one
tribe, but later intertribal gatherings
met with favor It Is proposed to
widen the scope until Indians from
half a dozen states and territories wifi
gather at least annually in a great re-
ligious conference, that the light may
be reflected back to the thousands
who are still in darkness
The organization of the church, It's
management and it's doctrinal teach
ings are entirely in the hands of the
native redmen. The members of the
board of trustees are full -blooded
Indians, the pastor and his estimable
wife. who sheds a light among the
women of the tribe, are of unmixed
blood. The work is conducted along
the usual lines, with additional en-
phasis on temperance and domestic
enterprise. The entire force of the
church is used continually against
the demon rum, which is truly the
arch enemy of the red man.