The Cordova daily times., 1919-08-20
HOW GOSPEL CAME TO ALASKA
wv. D. STEPHENS IN FoRWARD)

0|"|0o' IL Iuo people VI
Alaska had right to expect anything
from the country that had adopted
them, surely they had the right to
expect Christianity. Here was a
chance for all the missionary socie-
ties in the land to extend their efforts
among some 10000 to $4,000 ignorant,
superstitious people. But five years
passed and nothing was done; ten
years, and only few earnest Chris
tians of various denominations were
patiently proclaiming and urging the
challenge of Alaska
One of the most earnest of these
missionary friends of Alaska was
Sheldon Jackson, a pioneer mission
worker in six of the largest of the
Rocky mountain territories. Jackson
was more than eager to extend his
work to Alaska, but his church would
not back him up. The Presbyterian
board of home missions felt that
Alaska should remain, for time at
least, part of the foreign field. The
foreign mission board, on the other
hand, was out of funds. Alaska could
wait. One short-sighted friend went
so far as to write to DR.. Jackson that
If all the people in Alaska were
Christians, they wouldn't be worth so
much to the country and the world
as one live Christian in Arizona, New
Mexico, Utah or Idaho. We need
new missionaries and more teachers.
Where's the reason for sinking money
in Alaska when so many points, i'm
pOrtant fields right in the heart of
the country, are Unsupplied?"
DR.. Jackson himself attributed the
beginning of Christian work in Alas
ka to a soldiers letter This was a
pathetic appeal in behalf of a few In
dams who had learned bit Of the
gospel story from the Indians of
British Columbia. ''The Stickeens
end ether tribes hero really know
nothing about Christianity" wrote
the soldier. "They soon became in
terested in the proceedings of their
Christian visitors, and a few, after
many inquiries, concluded to try the
new life of which they had heard
Since then the few have become a
hundred, and the tribe are asking for
Christian teacher, or some one to
explain to them more fully the way"
Such was the appeal.
u. Jackson not only published this
letter as widely as possible, but sent
the original to the board of home mis-
siOns, asking for a missionary for
Alaska. In answer a man was ap-
pointed, but before he had received
the appointment he had already ac-
copied another call.
Just at this time Sheldon Jackson's
own plans for further work were in
terrupted by a revolt among the Nez
Perez Indians, and his thoughts
turned Immediately to Alaska His
vague hope" that he might yet be
permitted to go there" became Gin
tense desire" as he saw the possibility
of it's satisfaction. He decided to
take the trip from Portland, Oregon,
to Alaska on his own responsibility.
In Portland Jackson found Mrs. A.
R. Mcfarland, a former missionary to
Santa RE, who was not only willing
but 9ager to go to Alaska to estab-
Iish" Christian school, $50 to
Al9ska," as the records read, ''the
journey was made, and at Fort Wran-
etell, Mrs. Mcfarland, the only Chris
tian white woman in the country,
with an Indian woman as Interpreter,
with tWenty-seven books, no school
house, and the probability of a boat
from below (the States) once a
month, began Christs work in Alaska.
She became nurse, DOCTOR under
taker, preacher, teacher, practically
mayor and administrator generally,
for all came to her" For seven
months she was the only Protestant
missionary in all Alaska, and for a
whole year the only missionary at
Fort Wrangell.
"On the 10th of August, 1877"
reads Sheldon Jackson's own account,
'Mrs. Mcfarland and myself reached
Fort Wrangell and commenced Pres
byterian missions in Alaska. Upon
landing and passing down the street
I saw an Indian ringing bell. It was
the call for the afternoon school.
About twenty pupils were in attend
ance mostly ynuno Indian yuorann