The Cordova daily times., 1919-08-20

God had opened the work in ad-
vance of the coming of the usual mis-
sionary appliances. The mission
school was in full operation, but I'M
der great difficulties. They met
around in the several Indian houses,
not always knowing one day where
they would meet the next But the
ringing of small hand bell indicated
the school room for the day.
There was great scarcity of school
Arranging for the work I returned
to the East, leaving Mrs. Mcfarland
in charge as teacher and Clah as ma
tive assistant teacher, and Mrs. Sarah
Dickinson, a Christian Tongas Indian,
as interpreter. When we reached
Wrangell, this woman was a hundred
miles up the Stikeen river gathering
her winter supply of berries. Learn
ing from passing steamer that the
missionaries had come, she placed
her children, bedding and provisions
in her canoe, and padded home,
against heavy hea winds, to give us
a welcome"
In the East DR.. Jackson collected
funds amounting to over $4,000 and
also secured the appointment of mis-
sionary helpers for both Sitka and
Fort Wrangell. In 1878 and 1879
other workers came to help these
pioneer Presbyterians Of Alaska. The
natives eagerly welcomed them all,
and then begged and prayed for more
teachers.
August 3, 1879, was a day to be
remembered by both natives and mis-
siOnaries. "The Presbyterian mis-
sion," wrote DR.. Jackson in his book
called "Alaska," chad made such
progress during the two years of it's
existence that Rev. S. Hall Young,
the missionary in charge, thought it
eXpedient to form his Christian ma
tiyes into a church. He had for
months been instructing them in a
special class as to the nature and
duties Of church membership. The
presence of several visiting ministers
made 2 suitable occasion
con Saturday afternoon, August I'd,
Rev. Henry Kendall, DID,, preached
the preparatory sermon, after which
was held the examination Of candi-
dates for church membership. This
examination was had through an in
terpreter The services con-
tinued from o'clock p. m. to Z, and
after a short intermission for supper,
until II p m.
con Sabbath morning at half-past
nine o'clock the church came together
for prayer. At 1890 a. m. the formal
organization of the church was effect
ed. At p. m. the church met for
the celebration of the Lords Supper.
Twenty-three members were receivd
into the new organization, of whom
eighteen were Indians. The follow
ing Sabbath five more were received,
four of whom were Indians"
The earnest testimonies of these
first Christians Of Alaska show how
white the fields were to the harvest:
81 understand" said one old sor-
cerer, very solemn thing to join the
church. Indians don't understand as
we'll as white men about it. Willing
to go on looking to God to help me-
Understand how Christ has spoken
that | must be born again. l want
the new birth. I ask God to give me
a new heart. God hear me. Take
my sins and troubles to God"
Il wanted to be the friend of God"
said another. "People say you turn
your heart to God and laugh at me.
| say nobodys business what I do.
| mean to serve God. Long ago we
blind-all in darkness. We call the
crows, and fish, and everything God.
But God pity us and give us daylight.
He don't want US to die altogether.
He pity us. Not hard for me to be-
lieve in God-that Jesus is the Son
OF God. I feel different in my heart.
My old-fashioned heart was different.
I feel my heart is clean now. l live
different. l quit all earthly things.
try to do right and pray God.
want to be swift in Gods way"