The Indians Want the Book
There is a well authenticated story that Rev. T. Gideon Sjolander relates to at length in the "Minnesakrift," published in the year 1924, to commemorate our 40th anniversary.
"The Indians of
Eastern Oregon, the Nez Perce tribe some say, had heard from some one, some
white trader perhaps, about the white man's book from heaven. They were
told that some day a messenger would come from the East to bring them the
book. Some of them had heard the same story from the members of the Lewis
and Clark expedition.
The interest and expectation increased more and more as the
Indians gathered at camp fires and tribal festivals. They waited with
marvelous patience year after year, but no one came with the book.
At one gathering after the subject had been again thoroughly
discussed and all sat silent, one of the elders broke the silence with the
startling suggestion. 'The white men do not come to us. Why do we
not go to them? It is a long and troublesome journey, many moons away, but
we must fetch the book.'
All the difficulties discussed and objections made were met
with the growing conviction, 'We must go!'
Finally four Indians chiefs were selected to make the journey
of 2,000 miles. These set out to break their own trails through the
trackless forests and wilderness over high mountains and deep valleys and
finally on October, 1833, arrive at St. Louis. It was then a town of about
3,000 inhabitants.
Before long they stood before General William Clark, who was
the Captain Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1904-1806. Dressed
in their tribal costumes they presented an unusual spectacle to the people of
St. Louis and the town itself was no doubt the cause of much wonderment on the
part of these Indian Chiefs.
For days the Indians remained silent and General Clark
waited patiently for them to reveal the reason for undertaking so long and
arduous journey.
Finally the hour came when they reveled that they had come to
locate the wonderful white man's book from heaven and take it back with them to
the waiting tribesman on the banks of the Columbia River. They asked for a
teacher who could go with them to the land of the setting sun and instruct them
in the deep secrets of life and teach them to know the mysterious Great Spirit
that some of the trappers had told them about.
General Clark had no book in the language of the
Indians and he had no missionary to send. The Indians waited all winter
hoping that something would be done for them. Before long the new manner
of living among the whites began to affect the health of the Indians. Soon
the oldest of them died and was buried in the city. Not long after the
second chief passed away and was buried. They had gone out
in faith seeking God who surely had called them. Their knowledge of God
was limited but they 'believed' He is and is a rewarder of them that diligently
seek Him.'
When Spring came, the two remaining Indians decided to return
to their people and General Clark saw to it that they were loaded with gifts to
take with them. On the evening before their departure, a great banquet was
arranged in their honor. After the dinner 'Chief No Horns on His Head,'
was asked to speak, and in response expressed his deep feelings as follows:"
"I came here to you from the setting
sun over the road many moons long. You were friends of my fathers that
have now all gone on a long journey away from us. I came here with one eye
half open for my people who sit in darkness. I go back with both eyes
closed. How can I go back blind to my blind people? With strong arms
I made my way through strange country and its enemies in order that I might
bring much back to my people. I go back now with my arms empty and broken.
Two of the fathers came with us here. They were mighty
through many battles and snows. We leave them sleeping here by your
lodgings and your waters. They became weary of the many changes of the
moon and their moccasins had worn out. My people sent me here to fetch the
white man's book from heaven.. You have taken me to places where you
permit your women to dance, as we do not permit our to do, but the book was not
there. You have brought me to places where you worship the Great Spirit
with candles but the book, it was not there. You have shown me pictures of
the Great Spirit and pictures of the good land on the other side, but was not
among them, the book that shows the way.
I am now going back the long journey to my people in the land
of darkness. You make my feet heavy with the many gifts and my moccasins
become old in the carrying of them, and yet the book is not among them.
When after the next snow I relate to my poor, blind people in
the great council meeting of the tribes that I do not have the book with
me. Not a word will be uttered by our old men or by our young
braves. One by one they will stand up and go out from the council in
silence. My people will die in darkness and will go the long journey to
other hunting grounds. No white man will accompany them and no white man's
book will show us the way. I have no other word to say."
"The Chief who spoke at the banquet died on the way back near Yellowstone Park and of those who started on the long journey, only one returned to his country again."
"Word of his coming had preceded him and great crowds of tribesmen were gathered to await the return of the messengers they had sent. At last, the lone survivor appeared, and his people hurried forward to receive the greetings he bore. This is what he said, "There will come a man with the Book."
" The story of the hunger and desire of Indians for the Word of God was widely published in the East and much amazement and enthusiasm was aroused among believers. An urgent call for volunteers to carry the gospel to the tribes in the West was not in vain and before long, first one and then another missionary started on the hazardous journey that led to Oregon."
These accounts and others following, were written by Harley Hallgren for the 1934, Temple's Golden Jubilee Celebration.
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