CHAPTER XII
FIRST SABBATH IN MINNESOTA
THE day succeeding my
arrival was the Sabbath, and as yet,
"The sound of the church going
bell,
These prairies and bluffs never heard."
To the poor Indian all
days are alike. Only a few had, who learned to keep
it holy, assembled at the mission house for worship;
a messenger being sent "to invite others to come
in," the room was soon full. Some listened with
profound attention; others remained in listless indifference,
and others quietly dozed in their seats. A few were
inclined to laugh, some left, but most remained until
the services closed.
Then commenced their favorite
game of ball, arrangements for the same having been
going on all the morning, which continued for several
successive days. The competitors for the prize placed
their most valuable treasurers upon a pole, which
was carried around by two girls to receive the "stakes,"
and when the last was entered, the game commenced.
The ball is thrown and caught by a small circle, with
leather bands on one side, attached to a lever two
or three feet long. When uncaught, the women fly off
in its pursuit, and though they have no other interest
in the game, they seem equally engaged with the men.
In this game the wives of the Chief were most active.
In passing our door one of them was kindly
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admonished of her sin, and reminded
of the sorrow her Christian mother would have to know
she was thus engaged. "She knew," she said,
"her mother would feel very bad; but she was
far away and could not know it, and besides, her boy's
father (a term for husband) bade her 'so bad,'
she could not refuse." They literally "strip
themselves for the race," and when fully aroused,
ascend the bluff with the fleetness of a fawn—with
unaffected grace of motion and dignity of mien.
Towards evening two Frenchmen
were seen approaching the village. Suspicion was immediately
rife with the villagers that they were bringing with
them "fire water," and some of them came
in breathless haste, entreating Dr. Williamson to
prevent it, for too well they knew its disastrous
consequences. As a people, they were intemperate!
Yet some had taken the pledge for a specified number
of "moons," and did not wish the temptation
there. but vicious and venal white men were responsible
for the evil; forgetting that for this, "God
will surely bring them into judgment."
In the afternoon, religious
services in English were held—some half dozen
persons coming from almost as many miles distant.
And this was my first Sabbath—these were privileges
I should rarely enjoy after a few more days! I thought
of friends far, far away, worshipping God under very
different circumstances; but I had no wish to return.
I was happy in the rugged path I had chosen, for I
felt, that now, life had commenced in earnest. Too
long had it been spent in castle-building, with heart
yearnings for living purpose. True, the future
was a blank book, and with what its pages might be
filled, how could I divine? But I felt a calm, unwavering
faith; a blessed consciousness that an unseen hand
was leading me "in a
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way I had not known," and through
"paths I had not seen before." Thus far
the "Lord had directed my steps," and I
knew that in Him I might still safely trust, and "move
forward."
Nature was lavish with
her charms, and the study which I had ever so
much loved, became doubly interesting. I read the
open page in a new light, under new impulses, for
it was unmarred by the hand of Art. I seemed to look
upon the world as it emanated from the hand of its
Creator. Here was a solace for sadness; a substitute
for society; a companion in solitude. A web of fibres
had intertwined itself with my spiritual being, and
a cup of nectar was the daily portion of my soul.
Chapter XIII
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