^. ^«^. .0^. %^^ -.,A IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ^ // /. «., 'i' M?- fc^ >% S. "S? f/, 7a 1.0 I.I 22 1^ 12.0 t. I. 1.8 11.25 i 1.4 i 1.6 V] ^^Sow^^ men and women, still speak of the™ firsriefson. in° 7 ^ '°BuTln^;'ht'^"'^ ^^'^"^'^ in B^atotTn^school' '^^■ Tirnil rearrangement of the work on the district fuX yT ""f ' "'^""^ '^ Nanaimo, and found besSes the English coal miners, employed by the Hudson's Bav S^rrVo eT Hot" 1 '"^'^"^ °^ the"sate°"n:tfon' aiuy as those at Hope, and just as much benighted. A r~^ little mission hall was soon opened for them, and Kook- shun, who had learned a little English from the Hudson's Bay Company servants, was employed as interpreter. Kookshun was the first native convert in British Columbia, and his name was changed to.Cushan. After his convers- ion Cushan was employed as class-leader and local preacher, as well as interpreter, and for upwards of thirty years he ministered not only to his own people at Nanaimo, but at the Fraser River and among the Chemainus tribes. He died at Nanaimo in the triumphs of faith in the year 1896. The Work Begun at Nanaimo— Our First Indian Church. When the Nanaimo Indians were removed from the town to the site of their present village, Bro. Robson erected the first Indian church in connection with British Columbia Methodism. This work was carried on successfully by Dr. Evans and Rev. E. White, in connection with their English ministry, assisted in a marked degree by Cornelius Bryant, an active lay worker, who afterwards became one of our ministers, and spent a number of years in faithful service among both whites and Indians. It was at the Nanaimo Indian mission that Thomas Crosby commenced his life of usefulness, as a teacher in the mission day-school. In about six months Bro. Crosby had acquired sufficient of the native language to enable him to converse with the people, and with a burning desire for the salvation of souls, it was not long before a number of the scholars in his school were converted, among whom were such noble characters as David SalloseJfon and Solo- mon Sewell. . In 1871 Bro. Crosby was ordained to the oiL^ie and work of the Christian ministry, by Dr. Morley Punshon, who, as President of the Toronto Conference, with which the British Columbia District was connected, was visiting the missions throughout the Province. David Salloselton was converted at the age of fifteen, and although but a boy he went out at the Master's call and preached the Gospel to his fellow-countrymen wherever he had opportunity, and with so much eloquence and power that Dr. Punshon declared him to be one of the greates, natural orators whom he had ever heard. Not only was he gifted with speech, but he was also a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost, and in his short life he was instrumental H ism^iu in leading many souls to the Saviour. He died in the citv of V,ctor.a. where he was studying English and receiving a theological training under the Rev. VV. Pollard.Tn 8 / mends both Indian and white. Although it is now thirtv To-ed fo"h.'''"'' ''' "^"^ '^ '''' "4ram'L"orntS Under the direction of Dr. Punshon, Charles Mont- ^ay, 1871, and before the end of the year had learned the Indian language. He soon began to take regular annoint ments among the Nanaimo Indians, and to tine a eron, Is faTasTaanich' "''.V"' '''' ^°^^' '' ^^"^ ^ ^ ""d' as rar as baanich and Victoria. The Great Revival at Victoria in 1873. . ^ Afo^Aer's Prayer~A Chiefs Conversion. thJDktnS"^' °i lir^^^.. '^^ ^"^- ^^- P°"^^d' Chairman of lnd?ake?h f ^^;• ^''" ^° "'°^" ^'^ ^^hoolat Nanaimo, and take charge of the revival work among the Indians a SnH "• ^^^l^^^"^^ °f ^^^ •^y'"^" belonging to the Pandora Methodist Church had rented a vacant saloon on t^en Zh"' l''''\'"^. ^''^^ '' "P ^^^ ^" I"dian church" Their ^SS '" .'^' "^'^'^^'^ ^"^'^"^ °ff ^he streets. thP V,S ^^^" T T'' ""^^ '°°" rewarded, and a number of AmorSahiunn k"' ''"'■" converted, among whom was Amos bahalton, who was chosen leader. Soon the work spread, not only among the Lukwummin of Victoria, but also among the hundreds of northern Indians who were SaTto'L ''"'""• P"' °^ ^'^^ «^^* °^ 'hose northed' Indians to be converted was Mrs. Lawson, the wife of a atoLThe t""^ "^k" ^' "'t'"^ '^' "^°'h^^ °f Methodism among the Tsimpshean tribes. On the r>ight of her con- Inl''^f".K cornmenced to pray for her son, Alfred Dudoire, one of the chiefs at Port Simpson, six hundred miles north In three weeks he arrived in Victoria in a large war canoe X.H °(/^^"y'"g three or four tons. He was not aJall pleased with the state of affairs, and set about testing the new converts but in the operation he himself was^con verted, and the next morning wanted to take Brother Tate in his canoe and start for home to tell his people the glad idings of salvation. But, as Brother Tate ?ould not leave he work, he advised Alfr.d to go himself, which he dTd taking some of the new converts with him, and instead of carrying a cargo of rum. which he intended, he took Bibles and hymn-books, wherewith to carry on the work of God among his people. William Henry Fierce was also one of the converts durmg this wonderful revival, and after a few weeks' train- ing at the old Nanaimo mission with Brother Tate, he also went north to assist in the work of God at Port Simpson. Port Simpson Mission— Begun 1874. Its Wonderful History. Two months after Alfred started for his home, the chair- man received word from the Mission Rooms that Mr Crosby had been appointed to the mission at Port Simpson,' but as he was then in the East on missionary work, Mr. Tate was sent to carry on the work till he arrived. Accord- dingly, on the ist of April, 1874, Brother Tate left Brother Cushan m charge of his work i:t Nanaimo, and took passage on the Hudson's Bay Co.'s steamer Otter, and three days after was landed on the beach at Fort Simpson, amid flying colors and booming cannon, followed by an hour of hand-shaking never to be forgotten, for the whole tribe had flocked to the beach to give the missionary a hearty welcome. The Hud- son's Bay Co.'s trader, Mr. C. F. Morison, kindly took him to his home in the Fort, where he was treated with the greatest hospitality, and every assistance given him in his church and school work. The frame of a large Indian house was bought from one of the people, and moved from the island to the present site of the mission premises, where it was re-erected. This was intended for church and schoolhouse until something better could be built, but the work was slow on account of there being so many other duties 10 perform. Yet when Brother Crosby arrived to take charge of the mission, on the 3oih of June, 1874, not only was this building ready for the roof, b--^ regular preaching services had been estab- lished in the r .' ;;e of Chief Skowgwade, together with class and prayer-meetmgs, and a blessed work of awakening was m progress. It was Brother Crosby's privilege to seethe wonderful development of this work, when all that belonged to heathenism was uprooted, and the old Indian lodge gave place to tasty little cottages, with fine streets paved with sand and shells, which the women carried up from the beach as their part in beautifying their surroundings, count- ing It all joy thus to offer their voluntary labor, considering that in the days of darkness thay were compelled to be the burden bearers-the veritable " hewers of wood and drawers Oi Wtitcr. whlh'''n '', "°;,P^^f '" t«" of the wonderful canoe trips which JJrother Crosby took over btorn.y seas, amid peltine rains to reach the benighted tribes of that northern coast ; but the record to-day is a civihzed people, living in beautiful villages, receiving no Government help except small grants towards the maintenance of their day schools. Another record is kept on high, and is composed of a great host of those once savnge people, now before the Throne, " washed and made white in the blood of the I.amb." Some of the Port Simpson Converts. The First Mission in Alaska. In a short time after the inauguration of the I'ort bimpson mission a number of yc.ung men were converted and thece in turn became missionaries, holding recular services in their hunting and fishing camps, as well as preaching Christ to their fellow countrymen in the neigh- boring villages. Phillip McKay, Patrick Russ, and .Adam Clarke were among the first converts, and did good work for he Master-l'hillip becoming the first missionary to Alaska, and with the assistance of I!ro. Crosby organized an important work among the Stikine Indians, which was afterwards handed over to the American Presbyterian Church, under the superintendence of Dr. Sheldon ]ackson 1 atrick Russ has labored at different points along the coast, and is still engaged as a native agent. Adam Clarke carefully saved his little earnings, and built himself a com- tortable house, reserving the best room for the purpose of a class-room he being a classleader till the time of his death ; and with his last breath requested that the class be continued at his house. William Henry Pierce has pioneered a number of our Northern missions, and is now an ordained minister, stationed at the Upper Skeena, who with our highly esteemed, and energetic medical missionary, Dr. Wrinch, is accomplishing a good work on that isolated field. Dr. Bolton— The Pioneer Medical Missionary. Port Simpson Missionaries. The self-denying labors of our beloved brother Dr liolton, cannot be measured within the compass of this article. At his own expense he came to this province impelled by a burning love for the bodies and souls of the 7 aborigines of this land, l-'or many years he has stood side liy side with our missionaries at I'ort Simpson and Port Kssmgton, where he l)as estabhshed hospitals for the relief of not only the suffering Indians, but also for rhe white people, and where also the Chinese and Japanese are treated.* Amid the changes of the itinerancy during more recent years, Bros. Tate, CIreen, Jennings and S. S. Osterhcut have supplied Port Simpson, and the [iresent missionary is Rev. B. C. Freeman. The missionary workers, besides those already mentioned, are Mr. C M. Richards, principal of the Boy's Home; Misses Clarke, Alton, Paul and Elliott in the Girls' Home. Mr. Richarcis, principal of the Boys' Home, has faithfully and efificiently fulfilled his duties in that institution ; and now, we are glad to note, that Miss Burpee, so long connected with the "Coqualeetza Insti- tute," has been appointed matron. At the Hospital Dr. Bolton was blest with efficient help in the person of Miss Spence, a trained nurse of many years' experience. The Naas River Mission. Naas River was for some time an outpost of Port Simpson, and was frequently visited by Bro. Crosby ; but we will have to return to Victoria in order to get the facts concerning the establishment of the mission: Father McKay, one of the founders of the Victoria Indian Mission, carried on for a number of years a Saturday night prayer- meeting, and whenever the Indian missionaries were in Victoria for a few days, they generally found their way to Father McKay's prayer-meeting, and when men like Crosby, and (keen met in this sanctified place, the one to tell of the Macedonian cry from Naas River, and the other to say " Here am I, Lord, send me," it was not long before it was arranged that Bro. (Jreen should be the first missionary to Naas. But, as this was arranged without the concurrence of the General Board, what about the salary for the young man ? This difificulty was soon overcome by the members of that prayer-meeting putting their hands in their pockets, and supplying all that was needed. Some years of faithful work on the part of Bro. Green resulted in many striking conversions. It was at Naas River that Bro. Osterhout commenced his missionary career, and acquired the Niskah language, which is a dialect of the Tsimpshean. Dr. Rush energeti- * Since this was written Dr. Bolton lias moved to Victoria, and Dr Kergin has charge of Port Simpson Hospital. INDIAN MISSIONS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA-THE MET UTISH COLUMBIA— THE METHODIST CHUKCH. CANADA. lO cally took hold of the work at this point, and was very suc- cessful, but on account of failing health was compelled to return to Ontario. Rev. R. A. Spencer followed Dr. Rush, but on account of the ill health of his family, regretfully gave up the work. A worker is now needed for this mission. Bella Bella Mission — Begun 1880. An Indian's Faith. The Bella Bella mission also had its birth in Victoria when, under the labors of Miss Pollard, Jack (now Arthur Ebbstone) and George Blucher were led to the Saviour, and afterwards returned to their homes to witness for Jesus. Jack's first work was to erect a flagstaff, and every Sabbath morning he raised his little flag to let the people know that it was the Lord's Day. The chiefs were annoyed at this and told Jack that if he wanted to be a Christian he must go back to Victoria, for if he stayed there and tried to preach his religion they would kill him. But whilst Jack was not allowed to speak in the village, every Sabbath day he took his Bible and spent the day on the side of the mountain. He reverently turned over the leaves in the book— for he could not read a word of it — then looking up to Heaven he would say, " Father, this word has saved me and I know it can save my brother Indians, but they will not listen to me. Lord, send the missionary who can read the book to them, for I know they will hear him." One day Jack was overjoyed to see a canoe oome around the point of the bay with a flag flying at the stern, for he knew at once that this was the missionary coming in answer to his prayers. The Indians listened to Bro. Crosby tell the gospel story, and Bro. Pierce was left at Bella Bella to open a day school and carry on religious services. On the 22nd of October, 1880, Bro. Tate arrived to take charge of the mission, in company with Bro. Crosby, Chairman of the District. They had with them sufficient lumber to erect a mission house and a school house. The chairman stayed a few days and helped to get the buildings started. He left two native carpenters from Port Simpson to assist Bro. Tate, as the Bella Bellas knew nothing about building a white man's house. On the 30th October a dedicatory service was held in the school house, as it was to be used for church services also. After four years of hard toil at Bella Bella, Bro. Tate had the satisfaction of seeing over one hundred souls converted M to "":>(], and the material aspect of the village entirely ranged. Bella Coola. Rivers Inlet and China^Hat now rpfnTlf "^f 'ons. were then appointments of Bella Bella, reached by long, hazardous canoe trips. On Bro Tate's removal to the Fraser mission. Rev. W. B. Cuyler was appointed but within two years the Master saw fit to take h.m home. In 1886 Bro. Calvert took charge of the work, and after one year of arduous toil was succeeded ,by Bro^ Bryant. In ,888 Bro. Beavis took charge of the Tars M^^"'?"' u' 'Z ^'""'^ '''''-' ^'^^" ^g^- f°^ t-o years, 1893-5; Bro. Hopkms supplied from 1891-^. From 1895-7 the mission was supplied by the chairman, when Dr Jackson took charge and supplied for one year. In i89«Dr Large was appointed, and from that time to the present has been in labors abundant, he having undertaken the removal of the mission to a new site. In the spring the Indians move to Goose Island for the purpose of seal hunt- ing, and in the summer to Rivers Inlet and Namu to work - at the salmon canneries. The missionary has to accom- pany his people to both of these places, so that the village is practically deserted during the summer. Under the direc- tion of Dr Large a hospital has been built at Bella Bella Th'e W M Q° t h°^P'^^' ^i Rivers Inlet, built by Dr. Bolton, of Miss Kisfack" "P^'"' ^" ^''^'^"^ ""^^^ '" ^^^ P^^" Rro^P^J'^To^"'^^-^^^''^ is a small tribe of Indians, and tJro. Patrick Russ is the present missionary. China Hat /t'm S/arr's Work. ■ About the same time that Jack was converted, the Rev - r?hT T^'"''^ ^^"^Jl"^ P'^^'"'^ °f «e^i"g a stalwart northern Indian, named Jim Starr, converted in the little Indian church at Granville, now the City of Vancouver. 1 his man immediately returned to his home at China Hat and endeavored to preach to his people. He went to the woods and hewed out material to build a little church, then took a canoe trip of nearly 200 miles to Port Simpson, in order to get some nails wherewith to put it togeth.^r! ' Bro Crosby kindly supplied him with nails, and afterwards visi ed him at his home, where he found him doing faithful work for the Master. When the mission was organized at Bella Bella Jim and some of his friends moved from China Hat, and all through the years he has lived a faithful, 12 devoted Christian life. China Hat is at present supplied by George Edgar, a native convert from Port Simpson, whose energetic, faithful labors have been rewarded by see- ing souls brought to the Saviour and the erection of new mission build ; gs. Bella Coola. Bella Coola was supplied by Bro. and Sister Nicholas from 1890 to 1894, when Bro. T. Neville took charge and also remained four years. Bro. J. C Spencer, M.D., is the present missionary. Skidegate, Queen Charlotte Islands. Skidegate is the most isolated of our Indian missions. The good work accomplished on this mission also had its origin at Victoria when, under the labors of Miss Pollard, Amos Russ was converted, and returned to his home as a preacher of the gospel. Some time afterwards he married one of the brightest girls in the Crosby Home, and together they have labored faithfully for the Master, giving great assistance to the several missionaries who have been ap- pointed to that charge. Bro. Geo. Robinson was the first resident missionary, who, after two years' faithful work, was relieved by Bro. Hopkins, who remained four years, 1884-8. Bro. A. N. Miller was the next missionary, who, having taken to himself a helpmeet, in the person of Miss Rein- hart, one of our most successful teachers, from Bella Bella, also spent four years on this isolated field. From 1893 to the present year, Bro. B. C. Freeman has successfully de- veloped this mission. In June, he was transferred to Port Simpson. The little outlying villages of Clue and Gold Harbor have both moved to Skidegate, thus making the work somewhat easier for the missionary. Kitamaat. Miss Susanna Lawrence^ First Missionary. Kitamaat was an outpost of Port Simpson, and supplied by native agents up till 1882, when Miss Susanna Lawrence volunteered to take charge. To reach the field she had to take a 150 mile journey in a canoe with the Indians, sleep- ing on the rocky beach for several nights. When visiting her in the " Home for Incurables " at Toronto a short time ago, we reminded her of the hardships of her missionary life compared with the comforts of the home she was now '3 REV. E. ROBSON, D.D. mo began the work among the Indians in British Cclumhia. 14 in. She immediately replied, " I would rather be sleeping on the rocks and leading souls to Christ." From 1884 to 1893 the work was supplied by Bros. Robinson and Anderson, when the present missionary, Rev. G. H. Raley took charge. Bro. Raley has done much to give permanency to the work by establishing a boarding school and erecting substantial buildings. Kitlope is an out-station in connection with the Kita- maat mission and has been supplied by native agents. If the people could be induced to move to Kitamaat, it would be much better for all concerned. Port Essington — Its Canneries. Essington, like Kitamaat, was supplied by native agents up till 1883, when Rev. D. Jennings was stationed there, and after five years of pioneer work was succeeded by Rev. G. F. Hopkins in 1888. Bro. Jennings again took charge in 1891, and has remained there up to the present time. Essington is twelve miles from the mouth of the Skeena River, and is a very important centre all through the sum- mer months on account of the salmon canning industry. The Indians coogregate there from all parts of the northern country, and most of the missionaries accompany their people. Cape Mudge — A Hard Field. Cape Mudge was occupied by our Society in 1893, with Bro. Galloway as missionary teacher, Mr. Walker is the present missionary teacher. It is one of our most difficult fields, as the Indians are so bound up in their heathen customs. NiTiNAT, West Coast of Vancouver Island. Nitinat first appears on the minutes of our Conference in 1893, when Bro. Stone was sent from Naas River to open up the work at that point. Here, too, the degrading practices of heathenism keep the people in a demoralized condition, although several have been converted, and the work begins to look more hopeful. Claoquaht Without a Missionary. Claoquaht was taken up with bright prospects in the year 1897, with Rev. C. M. Tate as missionary. Although paganism was rank and the people were literally soaked in whiskey, yet before the end of the year there was such a IS marked change in the moral atmosphere of the village that a case of mtoxication was seldom seen, and five or 1 had been converted, publicly confessing Christ and dedarin^ he,r mtention to live a new life. In 1898 ?he work w"! left without a supply, and when Dr. Service was apDointed vor'k h'ad ' «°"^J-P---"« had been smotheedTd he wo k had assumed a very discouraging nature. At the end .n Wesf Chin^ ^'T' ''"' I' ^-^^--^-red to the w"rk were at the P>ase; Jf'^''""'"^''°^ Claoquaht Indians were at tne l Paper, $J.OO. . The Heart of Sz-Chuan, doth, $ J.OO; paper, .35 Rex Christus - - _ « ^7 ** 35 China and the Boxers " *€0 ** 3Q Confucianism - - . ** JSQ ** ^25 " The Heart of Sz-Chuan " conteins information found in I?? 1\y*^I- publication, all of which is important to every Methodist. The other three books supply special and general information about China, her history, govern- ment and religion, which everyone should know. ClotH. $2.00 t Paper. 91.00. Forward Movement Declaration Cards, 50, for loc " " Collectors' " - 3 for 5c " Treasurers' Books, - each, 5c " Envelopes, - per hundred, loc ADDRESS, F. C STEPHENSON, Methodist Mission Rooms ... Toronto, Published by Tfae Methodbt Youog People's Forwafd Movctncnt for Mlssfoost MetbocUst Mission Roomsy Toroato< PRICE : 6c. EACH.