The American Missionary — Volume 36, No. 11, November, 1882 — John Shaqi
The American Missionary — Volume 36, No. 11, November, 1882Various
Religion
The American Missionary — Volume 36, No. 11, November, 1882
Various
Congregational churches -- Missions -- Periodicals; Home missions -- Periodicals
The number of Indian men engaged in doing farm work is constantly
increasing. In issuing wagons to Indians last fall, I required
that each man receiving a wagon should farm at least five acres of
land for himself, or forfeit his wagon. All, with one exception,
complied with this condition. Agency Indians farmed this year 832
acres; they prepared the ground in the spring under the direction
of my farmer in excellent manner, and sowed 146 acres of wheat,
from which I estimate a yield, from two days’ threshing now in
progress, of 2,600 bushels of very good quality. This is the first
effort of my Indians in raising wheat, and they are greatly elated
with their success, and many are already asking for more land for
next spring sowing. This improvement in farming by the Indians is
gratifying to myself, as two years ago an Indian rarely cultivated
to exceed from one-half to three-quarters of an acre; now some have
cultivated this year 20 acres, others from four to twelve, and ask
for more land for next year. Twenty Indian men, heads of families,
have consented to go this fall 22 miles west of the agency, build
houses and remain to farm 133 acres of land which I have had broken
this summer.
These Indians are peaceable and friendly; many would assume the
position of citizens and compare favorably with the average white
man if they could have lands in severalty and the protection of
the law. During May and June last I had flouring gearing put in
position in the agency mill for grinding wheat raised at this
agency last year, and manufactured 44,000 pounds of flour of
good quality; there were also sawn during the year at the agency
saw-mill 20,812 feet of lumber.
* * * * *
RELIGIOUS INTEREST AT S’KOKOMISH.
BY REV. MYRON EELLS.
There has been considerable religious interest among the Indians.
The Indians on other reservations have been more interested than
usual, and intercourse with these has caused a similar interest
here. Then the most severe sickness which has visited the
reservation since my residence here came upon us last winter and
awakened serious attention in the minds of many. This additional
interest has caused increased work, so that I now hold prayer
meetings at two logging camps regularly. Some of our young people
are taking hold of the work, and at times conduct meetings with the
Indians during my necessary absence.
New hymns have been made in the Twana and Clallam languages, the
native languages of the Indians. Hitherto we have used hymns in
the Chinook language, which is generally understood by most of
the Indians, yet it is by no means so good a language to convey
religious truth as the native languages.
The average attendance at Sabbath-school at S’kokomish is 47, on
church prayer meetings 30, on other prayer meetings among the
Indians 36, on public worship 67. Families under pastoral care 52.
Total contributions for benevolence $451.05.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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