Show THE INDIAN MISSION by courtesy of elber eld andrew Ki ball we are enabled to glean the following from letters received by him from andian territory under date of jan ath a pr clinent citizen of the caie cherokee nation writes that the cherokee Ohe council which had just juat closed an eight weeks session at tahlequah tallequah Tahle quah was noted among the people tor for not dot caving done anything of benefit to the nation As a result of the policy that is being pursued the nation will be bankrupt in two or three years u unless alms something occurs to bring about a radical change the united states commissioners having withdrawn their offer of 1 per acre for cherokee lauds it is now believed thea that the recommendations they will make to congress will be adverse ad verse to indianu interests the weather at the date of writing was uncommonly fine for the season instead of snow on the te ground as usual in some localities peach trees are aft in lull full bloom and lettuce onions anione and other spring vegetables are on the tables united states maro marshals bals are sta eta ed to be im as thick as hope all over b 6 territory dragging the indians 0 fort smith by hundreds 11 the principal charge that is preferred is the sale of whisky from letters from missionaries it is ascertained that during the mouth of december elders D B broadhead and F M anderson And ereon made a trip to the northwest portion of the territory to labor among the tribes there which are now but remnants of once powerful nations within the put past few months brief visite have been made to the by elders eiden jack ashton woolley and anderson An derBon but none of them went as for far north as the agency they were treated ver very kindly by the Se as a rule rul though bough many who had heard anti mormon nl falsehoods manifested opposition on december elders broadhead and anderson came in sight of the agency buildings the united states indian agent is ia a methodist minister named thomas tholon moore who has charge over the Se wyan dottes pearlas Pe orias orlas Qua paws chip chippe was shawnees delawarek Dela wares an and ottaway Ot tawas after waiting several hours the elders had an opportunity of meeting the rev mr moore and making known their object on the reservation As he be entered the room where they were it was apparent from his hie manner that he had learned their purpose and was in no friendly mood towards them they introduced themselves when he at once exclaimed no I 1 will not allow you to pread preach or teach your doctrine in any part of the reserve under my ch charge argel but sir air what are your reasons for refusing us here are our articles of faith Is there anything in them thern that is contrary to scripture 1 I am a man inan of few words said the reverend agent and time to take up a lengthy scriptural discussion with with you you have my answer 1 l are not the instructions to you frova the secretary of the interior that all ministers or missionaries have the liberty to labor or preach on ary any of the indian reservations 1 I will not answer that question said the agent Is it not a proper inquiry but your answer to is not necessary we know that such are buur instructions and you are disregarding them in taking the course you have can you give us any reason we ask again yes a thousand of thern them one will do please your doctrine is the greatest heresy on the face of the earth he declared in a very angry tone we beg to differ with you and the bible wont sustain you in your as assertion bertion that you well know your opinion is not supported by the evidence of the facts but dont you believe in polygamy yes sir air we believe that le true when practiced righteously tut se ut we do not teach it confining ourselves to the first principles of the gospel and those essential to salvation you are aware laws of the united states forbid the practice of polygamy are you not well but you believe it true and I 1 can condemn it with the bible I 1 wont allow you to preach at all I 1 tell you excuse us but you cant prove our belief wrong by scripture 11 babl ah now I 1 see you t ballenge rhal lenge me to a debate that is what you came for when I 1 anything better to do I 1 will talk and ami discuss such stuff he said this very angrily his hia whole frame trembling with passion when he finished his speech he walked hurriedly away remaining within hearing distance barely long enough for the elders to thank him for giving them an audience and to suggest that they would appeal to a higher authority to get their rights the elders then took up their journey southward feeling regretful that through rev mr moores unjustifiable action many of the aborigines were for the present deprived of the privilege of hearing the gospel yet dealt realizing Z ing that the effort to awk check the sp spread read of truth would only have the effect of adding force to its onward movement in passing through the seneca nation two meetings were held and the elders listened to with close attention at one of these meetings after the closing hymn had bad been given outa man arose saying he be wished to state his religious belief he went on to say the cormons mormons Mor mons admitted the bible to be the word of god but were try trying dg to es establish some other doctrine he demanded a sign the gift of tongues by speaking in an indian language and he would then be convinced he continued for several minutes and the audience getting uneasy he was requested to keep quiet and the meeting was dismissed after singing and prayer an invitation was given for the people to remain and hear what the man had bad to say aay none of them accepted the invitation and his opposition brought the litters elders friends friend instead of turning any against them meetings were held at other places as the elders had opportunity and the attention which was wae given to their teachings evidenced that their labor was not in vain while on the way to the cherokee nation the missionaries were surrounded by a lot of young men under the influence of liquor they threw rocks and went so far as to draw pistols 0 o a in their demonstrations but cading finding that the elders exhibited no fear they th eleft left them there were however a number of reckless persons r who would as soon ki kill ira a 6 mormon as eat their dinner were it not for fear of the law the health of all the missionaries in that field is good at present and they have made many friends who show to them every kindness it was expected that before this date the missionaries would be on a preaching tour to the choctaw nation where on a former occasion they were well received |