The Van Buren Press

We copy the following from the Memphis Christian Advocate, of July 31st:

Our Church Among the Indians.

The Rev. John Harrell, Superintendent of the Indian Mission Conference, has lately visited Washington on business connected with the work of educating the Indians, heretofore intrusted to the Churches having missions among them. It was hoped to collect a balance due from the Government for the payment of teachers; and after a while, according to routine custom, this hope may be realized. Upon his return, Brother Harrell spent several days of last week in our city, waiting for a boat to take him on his way. During that time we enjoyed very much the company of this devoted servant of the Church, and besides, it was our privilege to hear two instructive and impressive sermons, preached by him at Springdale, where, for a fortnight now, a series of meetings have been in progress, and not without gracious results.

From Brother Harrell we received much valuable information concerning the state and advancement of religion and education among the Indians, and we firmly believe that if the Church were brought to a clear and full understanding of the great work which Christianity has accomplished for the Red Man of the West, our missionaries, who have been God's honored and successful instruments in this great work, would enjoy in a larger degree the sympathies and prayers of our religious membership, and would also freely receive the material assistance constantly needed by them—a pittance in itself, but shamefully withheld by many professed Christians, of whom God will require an account, as the stewards of his bounty.

We learn from Brother Harrell that the public examination at the Asbury Manual Labor School, in the Creek Nation, took place on the 25th ult. There were eighty students, and they passed a first rate examination—one of the very best that has ever been witnessed in the country. There were classes in spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and English grammar, and the examination of every class was satisfactory in a high degree. A prize of a gold pen was awarded to a young gentleman, and one to a young lady; and besides, a fine hat was given another young girl of the Creek nation—all in testimony of excellence in their deportment and studies.

At the close addresses were made by the Rev. John Harrell and the Revs. James McHenry and George Sickham—the last two being trustees of the school. The Rev. T. B. Ruble is the Superintendent, and the teachers are his son-in-law and daughter, Dr. and Mrs. Williams, who are thoroughly qualified for their duties. For this school, and other educational instrumentalities, as well as for the preaching of the gospel in the Indian country, we wish and pray the greatest success; and this good work we commend to the Church—assured as we are that as thousands have heretofore been brought to Christ, so the gospel will continue to be the power of God unto salvation, even of the remnant of the Indians.

Brother Harrell has promised for himself and others to communicate with the Church through our columns in reference to the work in the Indian Mission Conference—printed slips concerning his correspondence to be forwarded hence to the offices of other Church journals—and from this date we will mail our paper regularly to the preachers of that Conference, or those of them whose names are or may be furnished us. In this way, although unofficially and informally for the present, this paper will serve as the especial organ of the Indian Mission Conference—a relation which we indulge the belief and hope it will soon sustain to each of the several Conferences south of Missouri and north of Louisiana.