GLAD TIDINGS FROM NEEPIGON.
I shall now close this little volume with a letter from, the Rev. R.
Renison, who is labouring most devotedly among the poor Neepigon
Indians. It is dated February, 1884, and it speaks for itself.
"On Monday, Feb. 12th, Oshkahpukeda and myself left Ningwinnenang to
visit a family of pagan Indians about forty miles from this Mission.
Our blankets, overcoats, provisions, and cooking utensils, made a pack
of forty pound weight for each to carry; over lakes, through the dense
bush, up steep hills which were sometimes almost insurmountable. It was
one of the most beautiful winter mornings that I have ever yet
experienced. The sun shone brightly, and it was just cold enough to
render a brisk walk enjoyable. At 11 a.m. we reached a wigwam at the
north end of McIntyre Bay, which was occupied by Mishael Obeseekun,
their wives and children, who had left the Mission some time previous
for the purpose of snaring rabbits, which at present is the chief
support of the Indians. Here we received a hearty welcome; a large pot
of rabbits was quickly cooked--we enjoyed them thoroughly; and all the
little children declared that they were glad to see their Missionary.
Mishael's wife having noticed that my moccasin was badly torn, took her
needle and thread and had it fixed 'in less than no time.'
Before leaving I took the Indian New Testament and read the following
verse:--'This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.'
I find it a good plan, when reading to the Indians, to take one text at
a time. They differ very much from the white people in this respect, as
you may read it over and over twenty times and yet they will be glad to
hear it again. The result of this plan is, that many of the Indians at
our Mission have committed to memory several verses. I was much
astonished as well as delighted a few days ago to find that Obeseekun
could repeat accurately ten texts.
Well, at 2 p.m. we reached 'Kookookuhooseebee' (owl river). We
followed this river for about half an hour, and then entered the bush.
We walked till sun down, and then camped near the shore of Black
Sturgeon Lake. We had a splendid fire, as there was plenty of dry pine
close at hand. We ate heartily, but slept little, as the night was very
cold. We had breakfast by moonlight, and then recommenced our journey.
Our route lay through the middle of the lake, which is about ten miles
long. As we again entered the bush at its north end, to our great
astonishment we met the very pagan Indian whom we were so anxious to
see. He had a small tebaugan drawn by one dog--was on his way to the
'Neepigon Post' for pork and flour. His wife and children were very
hungry, rabbits and fish this winter being so scarce that several of
the Indians are obliged to abandon their usual hunting grounds.
'Kebuk,' for this is the pagan's name, was very glad to see us, a
large fire was quickly made, snow melted, pork fried, and soon the
Missionary, guide, and pagan were enjoying a hearty meal.
About two years ago, and upon two different occasions, I had visited
this pagan family. I tried to preach Christ to them the Saviour of all
men. I must confess that after twice travelling a distance of eighty
miles through the dense bush, that I was a little discouraged and
depressed in spirits to find that the invitation was refused, and full
and free salvation through the precious blood of Jesus rejected.
And now for the third time the Missionary and pagan meet face to face.
He knows full well the errand on which I have come. As we sat for a few
minutes in silence around the blazing fire I prayed to my Father in
secret to enlighten his understanding, and give him grace to receive
the Gospel message and enter the fold of the Good Shepherd.
'Owh suh kadabwayandung kuhya kabaptizooind tahbemahjeah, owh
duhyabwendusig tahnahneboomah.' ('He that believeth and is baptized
shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be condemned.') The
once proud pagan now kneels in prayer; he receives Christ rejoicingly;
accepts, this time, the Gospel invitation. 'Proceed on your journey,'
said he, 'go to my wigwam, baptize all my children, and next spring,
when navigation opens, I will go to the Mission and myself and wife
will be baptized in the church at Ningwinnenang. This is my wish, I
will build a house on the Mission ground and am very anxious that my
children should be properly instructed.' After bidding us a friendly
'boozhoo,' he proceeded on his journey to the Neepigon Post, and we
hastened toward the wigwam from which we were still ten miles distant.
At about 3 p.m. we reached Muskrat Lake, which is four miles long. On
the opposite shore we saw the pagan's daughter fishing for pike with
hook and line under the ice. When she first noticed us approaching, she
quickly disappeared in the bush, entered the wigwam and apprized them
of our coming.
When we arrived we found eight pagans, including two old women of 80
and 75 years old, one girl and four children. After many friendly
'boozhoos' and hearty expressions of welcome, the Missionary and guide
seated on shingoob branches rested their wearied limbs beside a blazing
fire, whilst the two old women smoking their pipes and preparing
rabbits and pike for dinner, were heard to say 'pooch tah pukedawaug
pooch tah-kadishkhusk-enawug' (they must be very hungry and must have a
hearty meal). After dinner the Indian New Testament was introduced, the
simple Gospel expounded and some of Christ's beautiful invitations
read. I tried to prove to them from God's own Word that we all need a
Saviour, for that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;
that there is one way only by which we can be saved, namely, by
entering the fold of the good Shepherd; that Jesus Christ himself is
the door, 'He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.'
It appears that nearly two months ago these nine pagans had
unanimously agreed to become Christians and join our mission at
Ningwinnenang. The seed sown two years ago was not sown in vain, the
bread cast upon the waters is found after many days, God's word will
not return to Him void. One of the old women, 80 years old, with only
one eye, determines to return with the Missionary, a distance of 40
miles through the dense bush and over frozen lakes, to be instructed at
the Mission and prepared for baptism. The young woman and four children
were baptized. The rest of the family, namely an old man of 75,
'Kebuk,' and his wife will (D.V.) be baptized in the spring in our
little church, and then we hope to have quite a nice congregation.
In conclusion, let me add that poor old Wesqua, who returned with us
to the Mission, has not yet recovered from the fatigue of the journey,
the last day's travelling in particular for her was very trying. We had
to cross an arm of the lake about 15 miles in breadth, and the piercing
north wind was too much for an old woman of 80, whose entire clothing
consisted of an old canvass bag rent in two and rolled around her legs
for leggings, her skirts of blue calico did not reach much below her
knees, and a piece of old blanket thrown over her head and shoulders
was all that she had to save her from the sharp wind which blows at
intervals across the Neepigon Lake. When she arrived the blood had
almost ceased to circulate, her hands were numb, and she was indeed in
a pitiable condition. Half a teaspoonful of stimulant in a cup of warm
water was all we had to give. She revived, and after a supper of bread
and tea was soon herself again.
Let me ask some of my Christian friends to whom 'the lines have fallen
in pleasant places' to remember the poor Indians at Neepigon. Cast off
warm clothing even of an inferior quality, will be thankfully received
and gratefully acknowledged; and we trust that those who cannot assist
us from a pecuniary point of view will at least remember us in their
prayers."
THE END.
Trancriber's note: The following words (may be mis-spelt) in original
text, are retained to get the flavour of the author's language: