The Ontario Indian Camp-Meeting
By A. O. Burrill
THIS meeting was held at the Indian church known as Kenyengeh. The Indian brethren had come from east and west, so there was quite a nice little congregation. This is the residence of Dr. Hill, the Indian chief. On his farm was a small grove, in which the meeting tent was pitched; but the weather was so cold that it could be used for only a few services. However, we had a good church building to which to go. This, at times, was packed to its utmost capacity. There are two Seventh-day Adventist Indian churches on this reservation, and both have good church buildings. There are about four thousand five hundred Indians on this reservation. Their land is most excellent, and considering the short period of time since they began to adopt civilized methods for obtaining a livelihood, they have made remarkable progress. This land was once heavily covered with the best of timber, but it has nearly all been cut away, so that they are now driven to the cultivation of the soil, which is a most excellent thing. The reservation is about twelve miles long and eight miles wide. Elder A. L. Miller and Brethren Noftsger and T. H. Robinson attended the meeting a portion or all the time. There were a number who could not understand English, so it was necessary to have an interpreter. Brother A. G. Smith, one of the Indians, was able to act in this capacity in a very satisfactory manner. The meeting continued for ten days. On the last Sunday six received baptism by the hand of Elder Miller. Most of the preaching was upon the coming of the Lord and the necessary preparation for it, and was well received both by our people and by the public. The social meetings were characterized by a good spirit. As they spoke in their native tongue, the writer could not understand their testimonies, but could see that the Spirit of the Lord was greatly moving the hearts of this simple people. It was voted that the next annual meeting should be held with the Oneida church, near Southwold, in the month of September. At the close of the meeting at this place, in company with Elder Miller, I went to the east end of the reservation, and held meetings for nearly a week. At the latter place a full corps of church officers was elected. The subject of church-schools was dwelt upon, and if the plans carry, two church-schools will soon be in operation. Quite a number of orders were taken for “Christ’s Object Lessons.” We left the Indian brethren much encouraged. If they will all be faithful in paying their tithes and supporting their church-schools, we shall see a marked change for the better among this people.