USA > Colorado > San Juan County > Pioneering in the San Juan; personal reminiscences of work done in southwestern Colorado during the "great San Juan excitement," > Part 6
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While there is much "bold infidelity" in the mountain towns of Colorado, there are many more faithful followers of Christ than some men would like to have us believe. When the prophet Elijah said, "I have been very jealous for the Lord God of Hosts, because the Children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, thrown down Thine altars, and slain Thy prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life to take it away," God said unto him: "Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which has not kissed him."
Elijah thought the devil must be reigning over Israel, for "I, even I only, am left"; but he was greatly mistaken. Instead of being alone he was one among the thousands in Israel who worshiped the
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true God. In all this there is a lesson, not only for God's children who are laboring in the hardest fields among the Rocky Mountains, but for God's laborers everywhere. We know not what may be going on in the hearts of those among whom we labor. Men do not always speak out the moment they see the error of their ways. Many are thinking about the interests of their souls and, ere long, may join Christ's army. Fight on, faithful ones, and, if need be, suffer on; for victory will surely be yours; whether you labor in the heart of the Rockies, where the scenery is "awfully grand," or in some other place. "For if God be for us, who can be against us?" "He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, what doest Thou?" Remember, that none will be for- gotten or unrecognized by the Master when He comes to render to every man according to his work.
If at any time we become discouraged about our work, let us call to mind that it is God's work in which we are engaged; and although we call it ours, in reality it is His. We are the instruments, therefore He will permit no failure. At seasons He will leave us to ourselves, and, instead of helping, observe, to see if we are doing our duty. It is
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recorded of a Highland chief of the noble house of McGregor that, when he fell wounded at the battle of Preston Pans, his clan, seeing their chief fall, wav- ered and gave the enemy an advantage. The old chieftain, beholding the effects of his disaster, raised himself upon his elbow while the blood gushed in streams from his wounds, and cried aloud : "I am not dead, my children, I am looking at you to see you do your duty." These words revived the sink- ing courage of the brave Highlanders and roused them to put forth their mightiest energies, and they did all that human strength could do to stem and turn the dreadful tide of battle.
And may I not with propriety ask, if the knowledge that their chief was looking at them to see them do their duty nerved those brave men and caused them to press forward in the fight, shall not the knowledge we have that our Commander-in- chief is looking at and commanding us to do our duty nerve us for the conflict?
Surely, as Christians, we have as much for which to contend as any class. But, since it is all for the glory of God and the good of souls, we should not hesitate, but go forward laboring earnestly and faithfully at all times, knowing that God sees and will help. All that we do for him, whether it be
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among his own dear children or that class who per- sist in saying that the "devil reigns over all," will be rewarded.
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord; thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give thee an expected end.
"For God is not unrighteous, to forget your work and labor of love."
"Sow beside all waters, Where the dew of heaven may fall;
Ye shall reap, if ye be not weary, For the Spirit breathes o'er all.
"Sow where the morning breaketh, In beauty o'er the land;
And when the evening falleth, Withhold not thine hand.
"Sow, though the rock repel thee, In its cold and sterile pride;
Some cleft there may be riven, Where the little seeds may hide.
"Watch not the clouds above thee; Let the whirlwind round thee sweep;
God may the seed-time give thee, But another hand may reap.
"Have faith, though ne'er beholding The seed burst from its tomb;
Thou knowest not which may perish Or what be spared to bloom."
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CHAPTER XXIII
TERRIBLE HONESTY IN THE FACE OF DEATH
"Deathbed repentance is burning the candle of life in the service of the devil, then blowing the snuff in the face of heaven." -Lorenzo Dow.
It is generally believed that every man fears death. Such was my belief once; it is not now. Men become so hardened, or else so careless, that it will take something besides death to scare them. Possibly they have such command over self that we cannot discover the least sign of fear when they are called to face eternity, with all its dread realities to those who know not the truth as it is in Jesus, neither the power nor the love of God. I have wit- nessed some queer death-scenes-men waiting as calmly for the dark messenger as they would for a meal, with no preparation to meet him.
I visited a young man who was dying. He knew for months that he could not live, yet so far as known he had made no preparation for the great change. I had often talked with him, and noticed a terrible honesty in all he said. The day he died I was sitting holding his hand and talking to him.
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After praying with him, as I rose from kneeling, he looked me squarely in the eyes and said: "Mr. Darley" (with shortening breath),
"The devil was sick, The devil a monk would be; The devil was well, The devil a monk was he."
then pressed my hand, and said, "Good-bye."
Often have I stood by the corpse of one who was well instructed in the truths of Christianity, but who had neglected to heed the parting words of parents and friends. As I have looked down at the pale face and then at the stern yet manly coun- tenances of hundreds of miners, my soul has burned within me when I warned them against the putting off the seeking of the "pearl of great price," against preferring earthly treasures before the unsearchable riches of Christ. Some have fallen by the assassin's hand, others have been swept into eternity by the avalanche, that rushes down the mountain side with the rapidity of lightning and from which the hardy prospector has but little chance of escape; others have been killed by premature blasts. One in par- ticular I shall never forget. Young, strong and manly, he looked at his shattered limbs in terror,
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but could not believe he would die until two or three hours before his death; then came a wail for the grief it would cause his aged father, who was depending on him for support and was a thousand miles away. Others have been frozen to death. Yet, notwithstanding the many dangers with which men are surrounded, hundreds are as reckless as it is possible for them to be. Step by step they scale the giddy height, seeking for hidden wealth. They seem to ignore the dangers about them; they appear to think only of the "bonanza" they expect to strike.
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CHAPTER XXIV
EXPERIENCE WITH INDIANS
"I bid you look into the lives of all men as it were into a mirror." -Trent.
A man's opinion of the Indian varies somewhat according to his experience with him. During the summer of '77 "Cap" Cline's cabin in Ouray was the favorite resort of the Ute chiefs and other Indians, as was also the cabin of Major Call. 1 ate with and talked to these red men until I became acquainted with them. Among Ignacio's band of Southern Utes was an Indian named Suckett, who greatly desired to drive the white settlers out of the country. The head chief of the tribe was very friendly to the settlers and told Suckett that the next time he came on the Uncompahgre River for the purpose of trying to make trouble, he would kill him, a thing Ouray never hesitated to do when he thought it necessary. Suckett gave no heed to the warning, but came back; when Ouray told Osepa to kill him, which Osepa did. This made the Southern Utes angry, and, it being an Indian's nature to kill someone if a friend has been killed, Ouray sent
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word to the camp bearing his name for no one to cross the reservation until he told them it would be safe. Col. H. F. Blythe, who was afterwards elected elder of the first church organization in Ouray, and myself, thought there would be no trouble over one dead Indian, so we started with one pack animal and our saddle-horses. Before making our first camp an Indian rode up and began making signs about ponies. We told him we had passed ponies up the Uncompahgre River. He went in the direction in which his ponies were, but in less than ten minutes came back and rode along with us without speaking. As soon as we camped for dinner he sat down and waited until we were ready to eat. We did not invite him to eat, for we needed what provision we had for ourselves; and the Indian was near his own victuals. He came close to what was cooked and sat down, but did not offer to take anything. We emptied a can of peaches on a tin plate, cut some bread and poured our coffee. Colo- nel Blythe asked if he should pour some coffee in the empty can for the Indian. I knew that, like all the Utes, this one could speak English, and it was nonsense for him to sit like "a bump on a log." I answered: "Not unless he asks for it; and if he reaches for anything we will take a finger off."
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After we began eating the Indian said: "Coffee." "You can say coffee, can you?" "Yes," said our self-invited guest. A moment later he said : "Sugar." "You can say sugar, can you?" "Yes." Then, "Read." "So you can talk?" "Yes." Then he talked as well as any one; and after eating helped pack, then left us.
We had a delightful trip; the nights were beauti- ful, and, with our blankets, we kept warm. With the exception of being followed by a party of young "bucks" who demanded "whisky," we had no unpleasant words with the Indians. At one point we found a large crowd watching horse-races. We stopped to enjoy the sport. The Utes have some good horses and understand getting the speed out of them.
At the present day a great deal is said for and as much against the Indian; and most that is said on either side is by those who have studied the question at "long range." In the fall of '60 I first moved to a territory where there were plenty of Indians. Nebraska City was a small place, inhabited princi- pally by the freighters who made it their head- quarters. Among them was Alexander Majors, "Pete" and "Gus" Byron and other well-known western men.
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The old log fort (old Fort Kearney) was still standing, being used for a jail. I was young, and, having lived until then in St. Louis, Mo., the change was great; everything interested me, especially the Indians. The agent for the Otoes lived in the town, so we saw much of the Indians. One winter several hundred Pawnees camped near us and then we saw more Indians than we cared to see; they were a perfect nuisance. They would walk into our houses without knocking, put their faces against the windows and scare the women almost out of their wits. Occasionally the fingers of an Indian would stick to what did not belong to him. That winter, one who acted as interpreter for the agent of the Otoes, began coasting with us boys. He looked to be about thirty years of age and wanted to be "big Indian." While one of the boys was passing him on the hill (the boy having a faster running sled), the Indian struck him. After the Indian started up the hill the boy said: "If that Indian strikes me again I will knock him down." Another boy said: "You dare not say that to his face." A stone about the size of the boy's hand lay near. He picked it up and started for the top of the hill in company with four other boys.
The Indian was waiting for us. So soon as the
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hill-top was reached the boy said: "If you strike me again I will knock you down." The Indian struck the boy in the face; and the boy not only knocked him down, but knocked out his front teeth and cut a terrible gash through both lips, from his nose to his chin. As soon as the Indian came to and got up, he started for the agent's house and came run- ning back with a double-barreled shotgun in his hands. We saw him coming, but the boy who knocked him down refused to run; but he finally "lit out," and reached home in safety. The matter was settled, but it was thought best to keep an eye on the Indian.
Having moved to the San Juan when Colorado was a territory, and having lived near the Ute reser- vation, crossing it frequently, eating with the Indians and sleeping among them, I know some- what of their character. I have been with them in Montana, as well as in Nebraska and Colorado. Wherever I went I found them to be as lazy mortals as ever lived.
Yet an Indian has rights that should be respected. To rob him or his tribe of land, whether through misrepresentation or by selling stuff that is use- less, or by cutting a double blanket in two and calling it two blankets, is robbery for which no
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honest man attempts to offer an apology and for which God will call men to account.
Let us not forget that an Indian is a savage and unacquainted with refined, polite and elevated rascality that will rob you in such a way that you are almost compelled to say: "Thank you."
These gentlemanly wolves should not be per- mitted to deal with the Indian; for savages cannot understand just how it is. All they know is they have been robbed and their only desire is for revenge on some other white man. As a rule it is the innocent man who reaps the revenge of the Indian. Then this outrage is as hard for the whites to understand as the polished way in which the Indian is robbed is for him to understand. Hence our troubles with the Indian.
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CHAPTER XXV
A PRESBYTERIAN ELDER'S PLUCK
"A diamond with a flaw in it is better than a perfect peb- ble." -Selected.
Sometimes godly men are compelled to do that which seems ungodly to those who have never dealt, worked and associated with rough, boorish and selfish men. Ministers as well as elders have been obliged to use a little "muscular Christianity," that others may understand that ministers, like elders, are only human. Since the elder is a good man to put to the front the minister can remain in the background.
I knew a very devout, intelligent, good-natured elder who had a most surly and irreligious man for a partner. Together they were working a leased mine. They were first-class miners and both were very close run financially. Before signing a con- tract the elder said: "I want it distinctly understood that I will not work on the Lord's Day, and that will necessitate that we work about one-half day Monday to get the water out that will accumulate in the mine." To this his partner agreed and they
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began work. The first Sabbath nothing unpleasant was said; but the second (they "bached" in a log cabin) the surly one began growling about "knock- ing off Sunday" and that it took "a half-day Monday to get the water out of the mine."
The elder made no reply. The third Sabbath, as he was getting ready for church, his partner began swearing at him. This was more than he could stand, and, being a powerful man, he grabbed his partner by the throat and bumped his head against the side of the cabin till he begged for mercy. The elder let him go with the promise to "finish him the next tiwie he dared to swear as he had."
That morning, during church service; the elder looked rather glum, which was so contrary to the man's nature that I knew something was wrong with our good brother. After the close of service he said he wanted to talk with me. He told me what had occurred and added that he ought to have kept his temper; that an elder held a sacred office and his action might injure the church. "What do you think?" I replied: "I think you did just right, and my advice to you is, keep your promise if he ever dares to swear at you again ; for you know that I have great faith in 'muscular Christianity,' when properly applied."
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ELDER JAMES K. HERRING AND REV. GEO. M. DARLEY, D. D., READY FOR A SWIFT RUN.
A PRESBYTERIAN ELDER'S PLUCK
Such men are worth their weight in gold. Manly, conscientious, kindly, good-natured, yet no one can run over them or the church in which they rule in spiritual things.
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CHAPTER XXVI
A BARREL HALF-FULL OF ROTTEN ONIONS FOR A PULPIT
"I don't like these cold, precise, perfect people, who, in order not to speak wrong, never speak at all, and in order not to do wrong, never do anything." -Beecher.
I sent word to a saloon-keeper that I would be in his camp on the following Sunday and that I expected to preach in his saloon. On my arrival a man very kindly offered to take care of my horse, so I was at liberty to go where I pleased. When entering the saloon I found that I was to have the use of the room, as requested; but instead of a faro- table, a barrel was placed for a pulpit, with a small box on top which was covered with a white napkin. So soon as I saw that everything was arranged, I was surprised and a little suspicious. Nearing the barrel I discovered what was the matter, and decided to turn the tables on those who had "put up the job" by not seeming to notice that there was anything wrong.
I placed my Bible on the box, and then walked around the room, talking to different ones until time for services.
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The text chosen was St. Luke 16: 31-"And he said unto him, if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." The saloon-keeper sat in front of me on a whisky barrel that was laid on its side, so got the full benefit.
When services began he was sitting on the high- est part of the barrel. Soon he slid down to one end; then he edged his way up to the middle and then slid down to the other end; thus he put in the time, much to the amusement of those present, and I trust with profit to his soul. Evidently he did not agree with my Calvinistic view of future punish- ment. I preached for thirty minutes, although almost ready "to quit before I began," and unless those who "put up the job" on the preacher read this, they will never know that the preacher saw the point.
As I was leaving a pleasant-appearing man took my hand and said, "Come again." I felt something soft, and held to it. After taking a few steps I examined what was in my hand and found a twenty-dollar bill. Since then I have preached in large churches without receiving anything more than expressions of appreciation. One peculiarity about drinking men in "live" mining camps is their
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sense of honor when dealing with a minister; they insist on paying for their preaching and for funeral services.
Often when refusing to accept money for officiat- ing at a funeral, men have said: "Parson, you can't live without money any more than the rest of us." That is so; and if Christians everywhere were of the same opinion the treasury of our Board of Home Missions would never be empty. No doubt min- isters are often reminded of the story in which the deacon remarked, after the installation services: "My dear brother, if the Lord will only keep you humble we will keep you poor." A little more generosity would not be a great burden to the Church at large; yet it would be highly appreciated by home missionaries as well as by the boards of our beloved Church.
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CHAPTER XXVII
THE KIND OF MEN NEEDED AT THE FRONT
'A great deal of talent is lost to the world for the want of a little courage." -Sydney Smith.
"The servants of the Lord should be as bold for their Master as the Devil's servants are for theirs."
-Countess of Warwick.
We read about "the relations of higher education to the Christian ministry." The Presbyterian Church papers, in particular, have much to say on this subject; but very little to say on the relations of a higher idea of grace and self-sacrifice to the Christian ministry. Many believe there are fewer inducements for young men to enter the ministry at the present day than there were a half-century ago.
Is there less to draw young men to the ministry now than in the days of the Apostles, or during the first century of the Christian era? Have ministers fewer opportunities to show true heroism now than had those of the Reformation?
There is less inducement along certain lines. We have not so many chances to suffer and, therefore, fewer opportunities of glorying in tribulation. We
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are not permitted to "take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions and in distresses for Christ's sake," as was Paul. But this should not deter young men from entering the ministry.
The early Christian ministers "were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection, and others had trials of cruel mockings and scourgings; yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonments; they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, were slain with the sword; they wandered about in sheepskins, being destitute, afflicted and tortured, of whom the world was not worthy." The Lord Jesus said of himself: "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head."
What about the sufferings of Polycarp? How did Luther fare in the forests of Germany? What enjoyment had Bunyan in Bedford Jail? What inducements were offered to those who entered the ministry in the dark ages of the Reformation, when the souls of men were tried as by fire? More inducements then than now. Still there are left some for young men of grace, grit, nerve, consecra- tion, energy and intellectual ability.
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Think of the pleasures such men have when they see the waste places of the "Far West" blossoming and blooming like the rose! Churches built in which to worship our Creator, and sinners brought to a saving knowledge of God in Christ Jesus! There is yet very much to be done before the battle cry of the Church, "Our Land for Christ," is fully answered, as we pray God it soon may be.
On the frontier, among the highest ranges of the Rockies, you can find work that will try all the love for Christ that is in your heart, work, the faithful performance of which will lead you across the track of many a wild and awfully sweeping avalanche, whose roar makes the stoutest heart tremble. Never fear that you will not have oppor- tunities of showing whether or not your religion is the kind that will bear testing. Occasionally the chance will be given of making your bed in the snow; and should darkness overtake you-as it has other missionaries when in a storm-above "timber line," you can spend the night above the clouds.
Young men, say not that the nineteenth century has lost all inducements for you to enter the minis- try and endure hardness as good soldiers of Christ. Our land, and especially the Great West, wants men,-brave men, men with Christ in their hearts,
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men with strong wills, strong faith and an abun- dance of physical strength. I repeat it, the Great West wants inen, brave men, for the enemy's works are strong and the pirate flag of sin has waved already too long in many of our villages and mining camps. Young men, come. Do not doubt but that you will find inducements enough and fields wide enough for usefulness. No matter how tal- ented you may be, all your talents will be needed to make your field bear fruit.
You will find use for your hands as well as for your heart and head, and, when tired and worn and needing rest, even then the cry will be heard:
"Not now, for I have wanderers in the distance, And thou must call them in with patient love; Not now, for I have sheep upon the mountains, And thou must follow them where'er they rove."
Young men, if love for God, for Christ and for souls is not inducement enough for you to enter the ministry, my advice to you is to stay out. If inducements to enter the ministry mean a fine church-building, a wealthy congregation, a pleasant parsonage, a library (such as every minister desires), a session, trustees, superintendent of Sabbath School and everything up to the mark, with a
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model prayer-meeting thrown in-then I admit that the inducements to enter the ministry are few. But if hard work on fields where souls are perishing for the lack of a faithful minister to point them to the "Lamb of God," and to wield the "sword of the Spirit," as a good soldier, holding it up in all its brightness that it may cut sinners to the heart, putting them into proper shape, making them fit stones for the great temple God is building; or where you may be compelled to labor for months, yea, for years, without gathering one golden sheaf for the Master-then come, if these things mean sufficient reasons for entering the Christian min- istry. Get the highest education you are capable of receiving. Then look for a field where you can work and endure hardness, and you will find it.
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