In the early years of the past century, what is now the "Midwest" and the center of our country, was then the "Far West" of American civilization. In its slow advance toward the Pacific, the government, seeking to maintain its costly footholds, set up many pioneer outposts and military forts.
One day in the bleakness of winter, four road-weary Indians appeared in the streets of a settlement which surrounded a fort. They brought a puzzling request to the white settlers—a request that these frontiersmen had never heard before.
"We come," they said, "from the land of the setting sun. We have heard of the white man's God, and we have been told of the white man's Book of heaven. We want it for our people.”
The Indians were presented to the commander of the military post. He received them with the utmost kindness and hospitality. He listened patiently to their story; and when they had rested from their journey, he took them on a tour of the little village. The commander showed the Indians through the newly built church. He explained to them the pictures, and other religious relics, but he ignored their oft repeated requests for the "Book of Heaven.”
Exhausted by the rigors of their long journey, two of the Indians became ill and died. They were accorded every care and honor, and their bodies were buried' near the new church with great pomp and ceremony. The other two, heart-sick and discouraged, prepared to return home.
Ere their departure the commander made a great banquet for his Indian friends. He presented them with many gifts and bade them goodspeed on their journey. One of the Indians was asked to respond. No just idea of his speech can be given, nor of the impression it produced. An English version has been given; but, like all translations, it loses much of the force of the original.
With great dignity and much solemnity the Indian said: "We came to you over the trail of many moons. In days gone by, your fathers were friends to our fathers; and from father to son we heard of the white man's God and of the white man's "Book of Heaven." Now our fathers have all gone the long way, and our people sit in darkness and wait for light. We came to you half-blind-with one eye partly opened, seeking more light. We go back with BOTH EYES CLOSED.
"How can we go back, BLIND, to our people? We made our way to you with strong arms. We came through many enemies and strange lands that we might carry back much to them. We go back with both arms BROKEN AND EMPTY. Two honored fathers came with us. They were braves of many winters and wars. They were wearied through the many moons and their moccasins wore out. They have gone to the happy hunting ground. We leave them asleep by your great water and wigwam.
"Our people sent us to find the white man's "Book of Heaven." We have failed. You showed us where you worship the Great Spirit with candles; but the Book was not there. You showed us pictures of the good land beyond. But the Book was not there to tell us the way. We go back the long, sad trail to our people of the dark land. You have made our feet heavy with many gifts, and our moccasins will grow old in carrying them; but the Book is not among them.
"After one more snow we will tell our poor blind people in the big council that we did not bring back the Book. No word will be spoken by our old men nor by our young braves. One by one they will rise up and go out in silence.
"Our people will die in darkness. They will go on the long path to other hunting grounds. No white man will go with them, for no white man's Book has been found to make the way plain. I have no more words.”
A young man present was so impressed with the touching address that he communicated with some friends in the East. He gave them an account of the fruitless visit, and of the pathetic appeal of the Indians for a Bible. Many Christians were aroused to their responsibilities; and after many months, following a toilsome and dangerous journey, a little band of faithful servants of Christ arrived on the Pacific Coast. At Vancouver, in 1834, they preached their first gospel sermon in the West. Thus was answered the Indian's plea for light for his people; and a work of God was begun which He has prospered through the years.