Texas Christian Advocate (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 50, No. 14, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 26, 1903 Page: 2 of 16
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TEXAS CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
2
November 26, 1903.
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fields for missionary effort as do the
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message ever come to you?
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dian’s heritage, and seized his lands,
from the Atlantic on the east to the
Pacific on the west. We have destroyed
his game, broken up his tribal rela-
tions, and, until quite recently, denied
then call on the mountains to fall on
you ere you be called on to obey an
alike summons.
sad admission that our common Chris-
tianity and our American civilization,
properly applied, can not make a fair
Christian, and a fair citizen, out of an
back and bring up the appalling state-
ments of the past—recorded by the im-
partial historian—concerning our treat-
ment of the Indian as a nation, and
our neglect of him as a Church. Now,
the United States Government has al-
lotted to him the land in severalty, and
opened to him the door of citizenship,
securing to him equal rights and priv-
ileges under the law with the whites,
and the opportunity of the century
here a new difficulty confronts us. The
Indians are regarded by our Missionary
Boards as “a vanishing race.” Broken
and the evil effects of the lowest forms
of idolatry.
For two hundred and fifty years our
Christian civilization has been in con-
tact with the aboriginies of America,
spend his little outside earnings for
his mother and go to Church shabby,
and with as light a heart as the most
A PATHETIC STORY.
“Your boy has killed himself, come
home as quick as you can,” was the
’phone message that flashed across le
wire from Cottonwood on the morng
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up into fragmentary bands and scat-
tered ovr a wide expanse of territory,
the bar remnants of a once mighty
people, /they offer no such alluring
of the 10th inst. Reader, did such a
him to
were on us I have known
awaits the action of the Church. But
tianity has succeeded so well in the
struggle against the hoary supersti-
tions of the East, where we have suc-
cessfully met the wisdom of Confucius
and the maxims of Zoroaster, Brahma
and Buddha, reconstructing the re-
ligions of the Old World, and making
civilized nations out of pagan ones,
we subject ourselves to grave criticism
when we fail to save the native races
of our own country from the direful in-
dense populations of Asia. If we un-
i
victory, while it appropriates the In- gospel as much, or more, than any peo-
dian’s land, forces upon him the dead- pie to whom our Church sends mis-
ly “fire water,” surrounds him with sionaries. For all these Indians our Waples Memorial Parsonage, M. E. Church, South, Rev. J. W. Hill, Pastor,
conditions superinducing his early ex- Church furnishes one white mission- ________________________________________________________________________
tinction, and retains only geographical ary and one Indian assistant. Can we -------------
names as memorials of his existence, afford to go to judgment with this which to worship God.” I have told whom have long since passed over gaudily dressed. Though our hearts
some of its praise must be abated. The showing? It is not at all probable that them that our white brethren would the river. William R. became a are furrowed with scars that time can
civilization which can not make citi- our Church will greatly enlarge our help them. Will you not redeem the preacher and member of the North never efface, yet we hope that by
zens out of Indians, or the religion mission work among these Indians for promise? Some have already sent aid. Texas Conference. looking in a westerly direction we
which can not make Christians out of some time to come; but we greatly My Indians have raised $100 among Brother Smith found but few people may. behold that sprig of Acacia that
Indians, should be modest in its preten- need help in the one field we occupy, themselves and have it in hand. We in this vast country, some of whom reminds us of that immortal part of
sions; and, drawing conclusions from We have here all told 7029 Indians, want to build a house costing $1000. were Methodists, who were like sheep man that never, never, never dies;
our American experiment with “home This mission has been in operation fif- Beloved, will you not aid these Indians in the wilderness without a shepherd, and can, by the aid of that theological
heathen,” we may well question the teen years, and gratifying success has just struggling into light? Consider To these he began at once to preach, ladder viewed by Jacob in his dreams,
utility of our efforts, amongst the attended the efforts put forth by the the long, long, dark night of idolatry and they heard him gladly.. reach that celestial city where there
heathen beyond the seas. If American laborer here. Last year we baptized and superstition through which they Brother Smith was in many respects Wl.be no more good-byes.
Christianity and civilization can only 142 Lndians—86 adults and 56 infants, have labored just here at our doors, a remarkable man. His piety was of f A 1S from his heart-broken
achieve their highest results by exter- Since conference, two weeks ago, we While we have had God’s blessed word, the type of John the evangelist, whose a er: J. T. RESPESS.
minating the natives of the countries have baptized 5 adults and one infant. with all the privileges of a glorious life was always even and consistent. --------••*--------
If not
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w. g
him citizenship. Shall we make the
I u.., J
When the dark days of adversity
Our boy was yet in bed. At 7
o’clock the report of this vile engine
of trouble and suffering (God be mer-
ciful to any one who would have one)
was heard, and when those who loved
him reached him he was already in
the icy grip of death, and none but the
Great Supreme Architect will ever
know why it is thus’ but thanks be to
the Great Giver of all good the evi-
dence points to the fact that it was
accidental. And again he leaves a
record behind that any may emulate
without fear of reproach on their
standing. “Raymond was a good boy”
is the verdict of all who knew him.
He was trustworthy in every respect,
truthful, sober and honest. He had
been a member of the Methodist
Church about eighteen months.
American Indian? We need not go
REV. JAMES R. SMITH, A PIONEER ten or fifteen miles to preaching.
When an increased population necessi-
LOCAL PREACHER. fated a larger house of worship, Bro.
By W. H. Hughes. Smith was the largest contributor to
, . , . build Cochran Chapel, which was the
ingratitude toward those who in any first Methodist house of worship ever
wise have contributed to our comfort built in Dallas County. This‘house
and prosperity is one of the most de- feet and cost and was
testable elements in humannature, dedicated, without debt, by the Rev. J.
have 'XebXe us and borne "ho W. P. MEKenzie, of precious memory,
burdens and inconveniences of from The land for the church and grave-
tier life is too often found in Church xard Was given by the widow of N. J.
and State. Jesus said to his disciples, -ocnran
“One soweth and another reapeth. I Brother Smith was the forerunner,
sent you to reap that whereon ye be- 01 John the Baptist, who prepared the
stowed no labor; other men labored way so well for the future develop-
and ye entered into their labors.” ment of Methodism whicn we now
This is true of thousands in Texas to- en.0Y- ..... , .. t
day who are occupying fat place and The little vine thus planted in the
reaping a rich harvest in fields on wilderness has grown as rapidly as
which they have bestowed no labor. Jonahs gourd vine, and its fruit is as g
These pleasant places have been ere- luxuriant as the clusters found by the %
ated and made possible through the Hebrew spies in the Promised Land. A
labors of the Rev. James A. Smith Cochran’s Chapel soon numbered its4
and others who took their'lives in members by the hundredsaanaant88
their hands and endured the labor and country settled up the rsc
• defied the dangers of wild beast and bers became the nucleu
savage men and converted these prai- ganizations. Thus in N
ries from a vast wilderness into a man S lifetime this little 988288282583
veritable paradise of Christian civili- tiplied into more than 50004
dertake the work and succeed still the zation. To preserve the memory of in Dallas County alone, and thig
prestige accompanying successful work sions. Why this plaint concerning the worship, or else travel twenty-five miles this noble man of God and give some home as a house of worship intoT88 E
n China or Japan is lacking here Indians? Is missionary effort a fail- or more to reach the church we have, little recognition to his merits, I than a score of commodious
Shan such considerations as these dej ure among them? On the other hand, A number of them came a long way write this imperfect sketch of a few His death was all we could expec
ter us^n our effo?t7to sav^ In- no field entered by the Church has to see me before I went to conference of the many virtues of my old friend or desire, after such a life. His last %
dins Perish the thought’ If “a shown such quick and generous re- to send a message to the Bishop and and co-laborer, who was the first local illness was protracted through many "
vanishin- race” whv g Mvriads of spouse, according to investment, as Missionary Secretary.-“Tell them,” said Methodist preacher in Dallas County, monthsand he sank gently and peace-
them have “vanished”’ before the the work among the “Blanket In- they to me, “that we need help. We and who did, perhaps, more than any fully into the arms of the Master whom
Mldk 4 f A 1 .. dians » Whv then has so little been have turned away from the old Indian other one man to Christianize and he had served so well. He often spoke
bent oneeXminlti°ng the Indian and accomplished by our Christian civiliza- road, and we have found life and light Methodize the early settlers of this of the peace of God that filled his soul
possessing hi? nang Other nlriads tion in this field? There are two rea- in Jesus. We want to build a church community, with joy and removed all fear of death,
possessing n.S,and wine y sons. Hirst the Noliev so ong pursued so that our young people can assemble In 1846 Brother Smith left Missis- His life and death were, indeed, beau-
haye,"varishedtebymea othe evil hite by the government in its treatment of with us and worship the true God and sippi and came to Texas and settled tiful and triumphant. “His witness is
fluences introduced bv the “pale face ” the Indians, and the fixed purpose of not be drawn away by the mescal feast near what is now Caruth Chapel. His in heaven, and his record is on high,
nuences introuucea. py tne p 15 1 • pnt and conie to possess the and the Ghost Dance. Tell them we family consisted of three sons, John
• And shall.we possess the. land, slay- fand precluded successful mission will do all we can, but we need help, Wesley, Joshua Lafayette and William
mg its inhabitants by multitudes, tak- and, precuded wXrn tribe? Sec^ and ask them to give us a house in Robert, and two daughters, all of
mg from them all that was near and work among me western tripes, sec-
dear to them, and yet withhold from end, this door being closed against
them the gospel on the plea that they successful effort, as already shown,
are “a vanishing race?” Nay, nay! the Church went to the regions beyond
The greater the necessity for speed on in search of work for the Master, and
our part to give them the gospel of since conditions have changed, and the
Jesus before we have to meet them at door of opportunity is wide open
work. But while our American Chris-
and we have sadly failed at these
points. We have entered upon the In-
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WAPLES MEMORIAL M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH, DENISON, TEXAS.
REV. J. W. HILL, PASTOR.
Ap yyy , y g• at an early date will yield to the gos- the moon, the mountains, idols of stone seemed to feel God was at the helm
€92gse VA/ 0 y Te $) K 92 f f pel of Jesus. They make splendid made with their own hands, the badger, and he was content.
“ “ " V‘ ‘ • 5’ ' " 5 4 * “ " • Christians. Every member I have will skunks, and even snakes. And they He had a pleasant, Wesleyan face,
R R F A, . pray when called upon. In the family are our door neighbors. No ocean and was an attractive speaker and
circle they pray before each meal, and rolls between us and them. They sit preached with demonstration of the
When we study the history of mis- theory of Christia.n missions is laid they contribute liberally of their means in the shadow of darkness and death, Ppirit and power. I have at no time
-- g hWSE Sire.WxSi
and Christian devotion displayed by fleet steamed into Manila Bay. building for the whole Kiowa tribe. I Nazarene, who told us to “go teach all Had two brothers, William and
our missionaries in foreign fields, we Are we to conclude from the forego- want to enlarge that building and erect nations?” Oh, we have been going to es ey, in the Texas Conference, both
praise God that the Christ Spirit stn sssenat Fhristan missionsaennsn An ghnnrngjanssdexandmbutskanyaid them atdlrmangenia U^er^t A
lives, and, as Americans, exult in the mine of human effort can show such every Sunday to this end. They meet have poured out their own blood in was popular, with saint and sinner, and
fact that our country is in the front glorious results as the work of mis- in tents, tepees and private houses for sacrifice to the sun, seeking rest for mued.d „ a most, every wed mg
rank of nations engaged in this great • their souls. Won’t you help me to get and funeral among the early settlers.
--to them the blessed story of Jesus and Unlike most of the early settlers, he
Calvary? If I can enlarge the little was a man of considerable means,
church at Mount Scott and build a new Which he u ed.liber ally in building up
onezat Big Bow‘s,Ifeel safein.saring While he was different, perhaps,
that the whole Kiowa tr.be will be to a fault about personal dress,
speedily led to JesusH easy, his manner was that of a most pol-
would be for some wealthy, congregat ished Christian gentleman, and he was
tions in Texas to send me the amount as modest as a ady.
needed, I feel that you- are> going, to The first Methodist organization
help. Pray over it, brother sister and in Dallas County was in 1844, in the
then send me a free will offeringtatci house of I. B. Webb, which was only
• Wil n°xtmy brethren oftheministry 1G feet square. This society consisted
in the Northwest Texas Conference of the following names (as near as I
take stock in this Indian chych? I get from the record): I. B. Webb,
am sure it will be treasure laid up in Mary R Webb, Wm. M Cochran,
heaven. Nancy J. Cochran, Mary Bvrd. C. and
I send greetings to my Texas J. Harris, David Shahan, James Shel-
friends God is greatly blessing me ly, Caroline Shelly. TO this little
in my labors, in my body an in y company he preached regularly, and
soul. Please pray foi me, ,n the people for many miles came on
Indians. foot, in ox wagons and on horseback
Fort Sill, O. T. to hear the word. It was not an un-
_______ e,-----— common thing then for people to go
we occupy preparatory to the suprem- Interest is widespread among them. Christian civilization, these poor In- He did not seem much elated by sue- When God smites us we know he
acy of our people ip those lands, the Many are under conviction for sin, and dians have been worshiping the sun, cess or depressed by adversity. He does not slight us.—Ram’s Horn.
fluences of a degrading superstition
the bar of God. If, indeed, they be “a amongst the Indians, the Church is so
vanishing race,” the inference, most fully occupied elsewhere as to overlook
reproachful in its nature, is forced or neglect this field.
upon us that our civilization, as we Why am I writing this article? To
have applied it to them, is responsible call the attention of the Church to the
for such results. If these primeval in- open door in this field, and to help, as
habitants of the land must continue to far as in me lies, to roll away the re-
“vanish,” our Christian benevolence proach of the neglect of our “home
should at least comfort their last days heathen” from our Church. We have
and make smooth their trail as they within the territory occupied by our
“vanish” into the twilight of obscuri- Church, according to reports from the
ty. It is well enough to talk about Department of the Interior, 185.790 in-
“the survival of the fittest,” but in the dians, exclusive of the 84,754 compris-
sight of God much will depend upon ing the “civilized tribes” in the Indian
the methods employed, as to how the Territory. Ninety-six thousand eight
survivors will stand in His sight It hundred and seventy-two of this num-
is considered the highest attainment ber wear citizens’ dress, while 88,918
of our civilization to care for and com- wear leggins, moccasins and blankets,
fort the dying, till death come, no They are rank idolaters, and given
matter how degraded or imbecile the over to all sorts of foolish supersti-
departing ones may be. But if our tions. Considered from any - stand-
Christian civilization scores its highest point, they need the benefits of the
534
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Rankin, George C. Texas Christian Advocate (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 50, No. 14, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 26, 1903, newspaper, November 26, 1903; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1594196/m1/2/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Library and Archives Commission.