Letter-1840, February 20

Feb. 20, 1840.

“Indian Missions in the Missouri Conference”

Dear Brother,— I have been trying for several days to forecast so as to get time to write to you concerning our prospects among the Indians west of Missouri.

   1.  Indian Manual Labor School. — We labored hard last year, but did not get as many buildings ready for occupancy as we anticipated. The failure was in consequence of the brick mason we had employed not being able to fulfil his contract; he was disappointed in the clay. We have built some houses of brick and some of wood, and commenced our labors at this institution, by holding a centenary meeting on the 25th of Oct. Several of the Missionaries from other stations were present, being on they [sic] way from conference, and notwithstanding the day was unfavorable, the rain falling in torrents, and hindering many who wished to attend, we had an excellent time. The Rev. W. Browning, the principal of the institution, gave us a very interesting discourse embracing the rise, progress, and peculiarities of Methodism. The subscription amounted to something over $1,200, which I suppose would be about $50 for each adult person who subscribed, though the subscriptions ranged from $5 up to $300, and some Indian children gave 50 cts. each, and one Indian man gave $50. I believe that every adult white person gave something with one solitary exception. We do not expect to be able to compete with you rich folks who live in fine cities, but we thought it would do pretty well for us who live in the far, far west. [see Oct. 25, 1839.]

   On the Tuesday following the centenary we opened our school, which has been continued ever since. [see Oct. 29, 1839.] We now have 60 Indian children, and to our great mortification we have been compelled to stop the Indians, and not allow them to bring any more until we can put up more buildings, which we are preparing to commence early in the spring. Upward of 20 children are now held back in reserve, until we get more room, and it our buildings were ready, the number could be increased to over a hundred without any effort on our part. We think that our most sanguine expectations of the success of this school will be fully realized. It is true, our expenses will be heavy until our buildings are finished, but after that they will be comparatively light, for we have already prepared a farm of 500 acres, and will be able to raise the principal part of our provisions at the institution.

   2. Shawnee Mission. — We have two other regular preaching places in the Shawnee nation besides the school above named. At both of which we have societies, end have lately received 19 on probation. The prospects are quite encouraging in this nation at present….

Yours affectionately
Thos. Johnson.

[Christian Advocate and Journal, Mar. 20, 1840. Files at Baker University.]