health will permit, must attend schooleither Government school or some one of the Mission schools. It would seem as though, if the rising generation of children were brought in contact with civilization and were educated for a number of years in the schools, that that of itself would solve the whole question of civilization and evangelization for the tribe; but years of experience along this line have proved otherwise. The following circumstance will illustrate this fact:

An Example.

An Indian girl, who had for a number of years been at school, had adopted the civilized dress and shown a good deal of refinemen in her way and gave great promise for the future, was sent back at the end of her course to her home among the Kiowas. When she arrived at Anadarko she seemed to realize for the first time that there was no place she could go except back to the old tepee. In realizing this fact she sat down and wept very bitterly. Her mother, who had come in with the family to meet her, found her in that condition of mind, and it so enraged her that she tore from the girl every garment of civilization; and throwing her a blanket, told her she could wear that or nothing. Every effort the girl made to be something more than those about her was met by ridicule and persecution of the bitterest kind. After many struggles and heart-rending experiences she at last yielded to the inevitable and returned to the old life.

Even if they are allowed to keep the old clothing, it only removes by one step the inevitable return to the blanket, for those on the reservation have not been touched by the civilization that has reached and touched them. The old life is the same. Hundreds of those who have been to school have returned to the old life, and some seem to cling to it with even greater tenacity than those who have never been lifted above it.

Secular Education Alone a Failure. The education of the children without the evangelization of the home is a partial failure. If this work of evangelizing the homes had been begun and prosecuted vigorously years ago, the effect of education upon the young people would have been at least tenfold greater than it has been. Very different is the reception given by the Chris

tian Indians to their children who return from school. They are met by loving hands and hearts, and are encouraged in every possible way to follow to the fullest extent all that they have learned. Their little suggestions about the home-life are carefully considered. The one thing the blanket Indian needs above everything else is the influence of Christianity in their home life. Without it it will be many years before they are anything more than blanket Indians. With it they can be civilized in one generation.

The Effect of Evangelization in Material Matters.

It is noticeable with what earnestness those who have accepted the Gospel always return to civilized ways. It is not long before an Indian who has become a Christian wishes to have something more than a tepee. They soon want a house and live in a permanent abode. It is not long until they begin to cultivate the land and to care in an intelligent way for their stock, so that it has been said, even by those who are not Christians, but who have seen the effect of evangelization upon the people, that the only way to make the Indians self-supporting is to evangelize them.

Conclusion.

In what has been given above the writer has sought to speak of this one tribe, as it is a representative one, being less inclined to Christianity than many others. What has been written of this tribe only represents what could be written or accomplished in the other tribes of unevangelized Indians in this country. It has been said that there are yet fifty tribes of Indians who have not been touched by the influences of Christianity. The American Baptist Home Mission Society is prosecuting with all possible vigor this work of evangelizing the homes of the people.

It has an able ally in the Woman's Home Mission Society of Chicago. The sympathy, prayers and contributions of all who love our Lord Jesus Christ, and of all who have an interest in the civilization of the Indians, is earnestly invited by the Society. Further facts regarding this interesting work may be had by addressing Rev. J. S. Murrow, D.D., Superintendent of Indian Missions, Atoka, I. T.; Rev. L. J. Dyke, General Missionary for Oklahoma and Indian Territory, Lawrence, Kansas, or the Rev. N. B. Rairden.

Life Among the Indians.

ELK CREEK, OK., Dec. 14, 1894. My Dear Mrs. S.:-Your letter, with fiftyfive others, came over the prairie to me in a coarse bag last week, and found me just moving into the parsonage. The people with whom I had hoped to board all winter have left, and here I am bag and baggage, living in the queerest little room you ever

saw.

Of course you know the building isn't finished, notwithstanding your noble efforts, and I really think you would laugh if you could see me as I write, with the rafters overhead, and everything in the room moving and swaying as the wind whizzes through. Here I sit with the table-cloth blowing, a jacket thrown over my shoulders and a sun-bonnet on my head. I just know it all must make such a funny picture. Then in one corner on the floor I have my bed, with two yards of chamois skin tacked round the wall at the head to keep the wind from blowing my head off in the night. I have a stove and cook my food and eat it with as much relish as if I were at home in elegance. The only thing that really troubles me is the water, which is bad, bad, bad. Komal lets us get water there, but it is so far to go for a drink-I carried one pailful up on horseback when I moved, and the interpreter got a barrelful the other day. Now I've begun by telling you all the worst things, but I don't want you to worry at all, for we can stand it; for it is far better than He had whose footsteps we are trying to follow, and vastly more than the poor Indians have whose servants we are for His dear sake.

The greatest trouble I have is getting my food out. I do pray that the experiences we had in this respect last year may not be repeated. Oh, how I did learn to sympathize with our poor starving Indians! I fished one day from 11 o'clock till 3, to try to get a mouthful of something in the meat line, and never got a bite. You can't imagine how awkward it is to be without a store.

Now I must tell you about the work, or you will think I am homesick, lonesome, blue, discouraged, hungry, etc., etc., none of which I am. Still I work on, expecting souls for my hire. The Indians now believe me to be their friend, and treat me just like a Kiowa. You know they used to freeze all up last year when we went to them. Lone Wolf killed a calf in honor of my return, but

when a wash-basin full of watery soup and chunks of calf were handed to me I just couldn't eat it. Maybe I should have done so, even if I died.

Little Bow said when he saw me that Jesus had answered his prayers, for he had been praying ever since we left that his people might not be left without any one to help them. He also sent a woman off to get a calf, but fortunately one could not be found. Poor Komalty was away taking care of little Joseph. (A few weeks ago I went to the graveyard and helped make a fence round the little grave, so the wolves and coyotes would not scrape into it, and for the first time in my life took a spade and moulded the mound.)

Many of the poor women came when they saw me and signed that they were "sew hungry," and to-day Komal's brother walked up four miles to get another quilt for himself and one for his wife to sew. He had finished the one I had left for him and wanted another. Did I tell you that last year an Indian ordered us out of his tepee with a knife? A few weeks ago, hearing that he was sick, I went to see him. He was shivering with cold, holding his trembling hands out over the camp-fire. His eyes were in a fearful condition, and he told the interpreter to tell me he was sick and cold. I told him I would try and get him some warmer clothes (though I didn't know where they were to come from), and then I told him how Jesus went about healing sick eyes and sick souls when He was on earth. I said I didn't know whether He would make his eyes well or not, but I was sure He would heal his poor, sick soul if he would only let Him. Then I asked him if I might tell Jesus all about him and ask Him to save him. He said "Yes," and I went over and knelt beside the man who had pulled a knife out of his belt to frighten me not one year before, and I did pray for him with all my soul, and when I arose from my knees he seized my hand and gave utterance to some broken sentences, which the interpreter told me were prayers.

You ask me if Lone Wolf shows any interest in religion. He has always shown far more interest in it than all the other Kiowas put together. He has been a father to me, and I would trust him in anything. He sent word down (twelve miles) last year to tell us he and his wife couldn't come to

meeting on account of the horses being lost. I lent him $10 last week, and the day he got his money he sent a man down with it. But he is hard to get at. He is intelligent" and knows our religion is right, but I do not know what to make of him. I made a personal appeal to him the first time I had a meeting at his camp, with an interpreter, and this is what he said: "Long time ago, before missionaries came to my country, I heard about the Christ, and my heart told me that was right. Ever since I have tried to go in that way. I asked Him to forgive my sins, and I believe He has. I believe I am in the light now, but I want you to tell me more about the stories about Jesus. He has answered my prayers two or three times, so that I cannot doubt but that He hears me. I always thank Him before I eat, and I pray for my people. When my little baby (Henson) was born, a missionary prayed for him, and I have tried to do better ever since. I want to obey all God's commands and lead my people right." He said he was willing to be baptized, but wanted to wait until his house was done. Oh, how we do need wisdom from above to guide us in our work! I do not know whether he is a saved man or not. His life is blameless, but I am so afraid that maybe it is only an intellectual assent. However, if we do our part, the Holy Spirit will do His, and He will guide him into all truth. We must not try to do the work of the Holy Spirit by urging, but we must wait as the apostles did for the Holy Spirit to convict and convert. Do pray for this great man. All the Indians are looking to him. When he moves it means much. Now I want to tell you about one more Indian-Quallo Koptah. He is a medicine man, or religious leader among them, and takes much interest in teaching me the sign language, on account of my deafness. One day I appealed to him in a meeting and asked him what he thought about all I had been telling him. He said, through the interpreter, "I will make a talk. I believe everything you have ever told me about the Christ, and have put it all down deep in the bottom of my heart, and think about it over and over. I believe it because you know more than I do. You can read and see what Jesus says in the Bible, and I know what you say is true. I am glad you talked to me this way, and that you told me to pray, for I think that must be right. I want you to pray

for me now." And I did pray for this poor, anxious one, while he bowed his weary head and calmed his trembling lip, and I believe it won't be long before he will be rejoicing in a new, late-found Saviour. I also believe that when the Holy Spirit begins to be manifested on Elk Creek, the whole campingground will move, and all will be saved. This is what I am praying for and expecting. Pray for us that we may be, oh, so cautious.

Now you kindly ask me what is especially needed, and I feel as though I oughtn't to tell you, because you have done so much already. Still, it is not my work, but the Lord's, and I mustn't feel as if it was me you were helping. I'll just enclose a list, and any of the things mentioned in it will be very acceptable. There is one thing I do need badly, and that is, about six yards of material like the enclosed sample. I have to carry the work to the field on horseback, and I can't keep the bags from wearing out. This goods looks as if it might last.

You also speak of a box that was sent by the First Church, but I have never received it or a letter concerning it. Are you sure it was sent? If so, please ask some one about it-when it was sent, etc., and to what address. I am right out of second-hand clothing and the cold weather is on, so I am anxiously looking for boxes. We are going to have our first Christmas-tree, if it doesn't blossom till May. I have many plans after we once get really settled, and I shall try to keep you well posted in everything, for it is very little to do in return for all you have done. May our One Father draw us nearer to Himself day by day, and may we hold on tightly to our poor Indians, so that they may feel, too, His great drawing power.

With loving thankfulness for every nail, shingle and board in the parsonage, I am, Your "Servant," BELLE CRAWFORD.

Preaching the Gospel Under Difficulties. One of our missionaries writes:

"I have many more invitations to come and preach than I can fill, on account of not having horse-feed.”

Another missionary writes:

"My means gave out, my shoes wore out; the tacks which I have put in them, in order to get through, came out, and I was almost ready to give up, but God has blessed me in the work."

Money a Factor in Extending Christ's

Kingdom.

REV. DWIGHT SPENCER.

A brother, in speaking to a friend of a pessimistic turn of mind of the wealth of the Church to-day, said: "She can no longer say, 'Silver and gold have I none."" "No," replied the friend; "neither can she say, ' rise up and walk.'" As if the great need of the Church now was an occasional instance of miraculous healing! And that this idea quite generally prevails is seen in the efforts made in certain quarters to carry the Church back to the age of miracles.

The fact is, this whole question of miracles has been misunderstood by a large part of the Church. It is believed by many that the chief design of the miracles recorded in the New Testament was to prove the divinity of Christ's mission, and that an оссаsional miracle to-day would greatly help many now weak in the faith. But when we carefully study the record we find that almost every miracle was wrought out of compassion for the unfortunate and suffering. Our Saviour, when confronted with a case of suffering, did not stop to inquire whether a miracle would help establish his claim to the Messiahship, but out of the compassion of his heart he exercised divine power. So, in the case of Peter and John, when they met the impotent man at the Beautiful Gate. They did not wait to reason as to the value of a miracle in establishing the divinity of their mission, but as soon as they saw the poor cripple they spoke forth the healing power. Nor did they mean to cast any slight upon "silver and gold" as factors in extending the Redeemer's kingdom. They did not mean to boast of their poverty, but rather to lament that, because of it, they could only heal here and there

one.

In reality, the miracles of the New Testament were intended both as prophecies and promises. Prophecies of the time when the Church by its increase of wealth and power would not only be able to say to individuals here and there, "Rise up and walk," but by a better knowledge of the laws of health and by heavenly ministrations, both prevent disease and cure it when prevention had not been provided. And in the establishing of hospitals and infirmaries the Church is showing, not only her disposition to carry

on these apostolic benevolences, but also her ability to say to the impotent and diseased everywhere, "Rise up and walk."

Then these miracles were promises of the time when there would be no more sickness nor death. The Bible begins with a view of Eden and its sinless pair. Then follows the history of the ruin wrought by sin, with attendant disease and death; and then the Bible closes with a view of Paradise-Eden restored-from which disease and death are forever banished. And from the moment of the fall, this grand consummation is kept before the mind, and miracles were a part of the divine plan.

And the same is true of the use of money for the most wonderful of all miracles, the converting and saving of men. The few cases mentioned in the New Testament were prophecies of the wonderful triumphs of the Gospel, not in a little pent-up corner of the world, but from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth, that are being witnessed to-day. And these triumphs have been made possible by the use of money. Dr. A. J. Gordon most truthfully says that the ratio of a dollar to the conversion of a soul, can to-day be determined with very great exactness. What a sacredness this view of money gives to the dollars in the pockets of Christians!

Some years ago a devoted Christian in Massachusetts gave the writer a sum of money to establish a mission in a growing Montana town. In a few months a plain chapel was built and a missionary faithfully preaching the Gospel. Soon after, a ranchman came in from his distant home in the mountains to buy supplies for his family. It was Sunday morning, and the first sight that attracted his attention was that of the beautiful spire of the Baptist Chapel. For ten years no such sight had greeted his vision. Precious memories of his Eastern home, of a godly father's prayers and a sainted mother's parting words were awakened. He entered the place of worship, and heard once more the songs of his boyhood, and listened to the "old story of Jesus and his love." And there, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, seed that had been sown years before germinated and brought forth the blessed fruit of obedience. He was baptized and returned to his distant home. Here he soon gathered together the few children in the settlement and organized a Sunday

school, and laid the foundation for the future church. How many in our churches have the ability to repeat this, and not only aid in extending the Redeemer's kingdom, but at the same time lay up for themselves treasures in Heaven.

Peoria, Ill., Swedes.

We have just met with a great loss in our young church; one of our best members died. He was the first one that was converted here in our Mission, and the first one that was baptized, and now the first one that went to heaven. I miss him so much, he was such a good help for me in the work.

His wife was converted the same time, and she is still with us. Your work here has been the means, in the hands of the Lord, to bring in one soul of the Swedes in heaven.

I have received thirty-six members here since we started the work April 1st, 1893. So if they had all stayed here we would have quite a little church, but in these times, when it is so hard to get work, we must expect to have changes all the time.

At my out-station in the country, I have about twelve newly converted, who I think will soon join our church. They have been talking about it, but I have not thought it wise for me to urge them, but I have given them tracts about the baptism, and told them to study the Bible, so I am sure they will come soon. They gave me a very nice present for Christmas. I preach there still every Sunday afternoon.

I commenced two weeks ago to have prayer-meetings in private houses, as I had last winter, two or three every week, and it seems to do good. I wish to have at least one meeting in every Swedish family in Peoria. May God bless them! One lady has asked for prayers.

The barrel came all right, and it contained so many nice and useful things. I don't know how I could have pulled through my large family this winter without it. We all thank you heartily for your kindness to

us.

P.S. That lady I mentioned, who asked for prayers, came to our church last night and expressed herself saved. Praise the Lord!

A. P. SWORD, Missionary.

The Influence of Our German Work. BY REV. G. A. SCHULTE, SUPERINTENDENT OF GERMAN WORK.

According to the latest statistics, the membership in the German Baptist churches in this country is at present 20,005. The number of baptisms for the year 1893-94 is reported to be 1,753. Although still comparatively few in numbers, yet the German Baptists must be recognized as a force and agency in the evangelization of their numerous countrymen, and of shaping, in some measure, the moral and Christian character of the people. In order to accomplish this object, they have hitherto considered it advisable to use the mother tongue, for the simple reason that large numbers of their countrymen could not have been reached in any other way.

Some well-meaning brethren have frequently expressed the fear that by using the German language and organizing distinctively German churches, a "little Germany" might be built up in this country and the German language be perpetuated. Any one familiar with the history of the German Baptists, and having an insight in the existing condition of things, will find these fears entirely groundless, but, on the contrary, will recognize the German Baptist churches as a powerful Americanizing agency. In a very able article recently published in the Examiner on What shall we do with the Germans? the writer refers to this point, and affirms, in a very clear and logical manner, the above assertion. We do not intend to go over the same ground, but rather to enlarge on the subject by calling attention to a few plain facts.

Our history shows that if a German church has been organized in a locality where, after a few years of existence, the German population has not increased by immigration, but has perhaps gradually decreased, almost invariably such a church has in the course of time become an English-speaking Baptist church. Several instances occur to the mind of the writer, both in the East and in the West, of churches formerly German, but now English-speaking churches, located in communities where there was no other Baptist church. He recently visited Lycoming Co., Pa., where the cradle of our work in this country once stood. Of the five churches originally or