A PROPOSED MEETING.
Three months after the execution of the renegade passed by, and the
settlers of Clontarf’s Post, in that time, had experienced a season
of peace and quietude seldom enjoyed by a border settlement. The
Indians had made no hostile demonstration, though many feared that
their quietude foretold a coming storm, and many thought the death
of Dick Sherwood accounted for their peacefulness. Be that as it
may, the settlers never allowed one point admissible of attack from
the enemy, to remain unguarded for a single hour; for, knowing their
treacherous and cunning nature, and since no regular treaty had been
entered into, they thought it more than likely that the Indians were
watching for a chance to strike at the post when its people were off
their guard.
In the midst of their peace and prosperity, the settlers were not
forgetful from whence came all those blessings they were being
permitted to enjoy, and once or twice a week they would meet at one
of the neighbors’ houses and offer up thanks to their Heavenly Father
for his protection and bountiful gifts. Each and every Sabbath,
divine services were held at the residence of the Reverend Paul
Earnshaw, a minister of much ability, and dearly beloved by all his
friends.
During the latter part of the month of August, Mr. Earnshaw began
a spiritual revival at the post, attended with great success.
Encouraged in his good work by his friends, he soon extended his
labors to other settlements--such as were not too remote from the
post.
While laboring at one of those settlements, a new minister made
his appearance in the field. He came from the East, he told Father
Earnshaw, to labor among the Indians. He had not been sent out by a
missionary society, but had come on his own responsibility to preach
to the heathen. He gave his name as Israel Ainesley. He was an aged
man, but possessed of wonderful strength and activity, and a voice
deep, strong and musical.
The good people of Valley Settlement, anxious to procure the services
of so able a minister as Father Ainesley’s first sermon proved him to
be, prevailed on him to take up his residence there.
With some reluctance the reverend father accepted the kind invitation
of the settlers; however, he made a reservation of half of his time
to be devoted to labor among the Indians.
Father Earnshaw now returned to Clontarf’s Post; not, however, before
having exacted a promise from his fellow-laborer in the vineyard of
God, to visit him at an early day.
Father Ainesley went to work with a zeal, both at the settlement and
among the Indians. At least, he was away from Valley Settlement a
good half of the time, and the settlers had no reason to question his
being at work trying to convert the wild red men.
In the course of a week, Father Ainesley sent a letter to Father
Earnshaw, in which he proposed that they hold a union meeting of the
two settlements; and in case that he should accept the proposition,
to name the point of meeting, as well as the day.
Father Earnshaw sent the following reply:
“CLONTARF’S POST, Sept. 2, 18--
“DEAR BROTHER AINESLEY:
“Your proposition of a union meeting of the two settlements
receives my happy approval. It would be likely to establish a
firmer and more pleasant relationship between the two settlements,
and lay the foundation of a Christian country and people. Since you
have left it with me to set the day of meeting, I will name the
10th of September. And since, in my opinion, there is nothing to
fear from the Indians, I shall propose that we hold our meeting in
the woods, God’s first temples, on the shore of Lake Wildwood. It
is a lovely spot, adorned with all the beauty of nature--the great,
green woods upon one side, and Wildwood lake upon the other; the
heavens above and a velvety carpet of green beneath.
“Hoping that this brief reply will fully meet your approval,
“I remain yours in Christ,
“PAUL EARNSHAW.”
The reply _did_ meet the Reverend Ainesley’s approval, and every
arrangement was at once made for the meeting of the two settlements
upon the tenth of September.
But little did the great, kind-hearted settlers dream of the deep and
damnable plot that was being laid for their destruction by one of
these men wearing the sacerdotal robes of a minister of God.