USA > Michigan > Marquette County > Marquette > History Of The Diocese Of Sault Ste, Marie And Marquette; Containing A Full And Accurate Account Of The Development Of The Catholic Church In Upper Michigan, With Portraits Of Bishops, Priests And Illustrations Of Churches Old And New, Volume 1 > Part 5
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"About the end of July, I undertook my last missionary tour from this station. In a neighboring village of Arbre Croche, which is quite large, and now wholly con- verted, the Indians have built a small, neat church. I dedicated it on the first of August, in honor of God, to the name of St. Ignatius Loyola, and celebrated Mass in it for the first time. From there I con- tinued my journey to Manistique, where I found everything in the very best order. All inhabitants, with the exception of one stubborn old man, are constant in prayer and faithful in the fulfillment of their Christian virtues. A young Indian wom- an from the North, came some time ago to Manistique with the resolution, to leave home and her pagan parents forever, in order to spend her life in Manistique as a Christian, after the fashion of the In- dians there. I baptized this chosen soul on the 6th of August. From there I went to Little Detroit. In May. on the occa- sion of my first visit there, I advised the converted Indians to build a chapel, and
this time I had the pleasure to find a small bark-chapel, which I blessed in honor of God, on the 9th of August, to the name of St. Vincent de Paul, the founder of the Congregation of Missions. I also blessed a cemetery for the burying of Christians, the same as I have always done in other missions. On the 12th of August I bap- tized there three more Indian women. Be- fore my departure, I gave the Christians a letter of recommendation to the mis- sionary of Green Bay, requesting him kindly to accept the spiritual care over this congregation, and to endeavor or con- vert the remaining heathens of this vil- lage, inasmuch, as it is nearer and easier to reach Little Detroit from Green Bay than from Arbre Croche. Returning home I also landed on Beaver Island, where I found, however, but few Indians, because the most of them had gone to Canada to receive their presents from the English government. The church I found not yet completed. because the heathens of this Island are still hostile to the Christian re- ligion and tear down what is built, and thus hinder the construction of the church. The Christians have, for this reason, come to the conclusion to leave the is- land and to settle in Arbre Croche. I approved of it, leaving word to the absent Christians, that I desire them to move to Arbre Croche. This was the condition of the mission on Beaver Island, when I last visited it. I then returned to my parish." 19
1º Letter 25th, August 1833. Annals VII.
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Chapter II.
Baraga establishes a mission on the Grand River .- He goes to La Pointe, Wisconsin .- His labors in St. Joseph mission .- Visits his native country .- His literary labors.
When Baraga arrived in Arbre Croche he found there his successor in the person of Father Simon Saenderl, Superior of the Redemptorists in America. Just as Baraga had surmised, the Bishop had turned the mission over to the Redemp- torist Fathers, and on the 6th of August one priest and two lay brothers had ar- rived. Brother Aloysius whom Baraga had brought along from Detroit, had been there over ten months.
Thus ended Baraga's missionary labors in Arbre Croche. During two years and four months, he had baptized four hun- dred and sixty one Indians, besides the eighty six at Grand River, five hundred and forty seven in all. Before leaving, Baraga gave the Leopoldine Society a ré- sumé of his labors and the condition in which he left Arbre Croche and depend- ent missions.
The letter is dated August 25th, 1833. Among other things he says: "I am on the point of leaving Arbre Croche to take up my permanent residence in a new place, where Providence and my Superior, have destined me to establish a new mis- sion. I am well aware of the difficulties with which this undertaking is beset, par-
ticularly in the beginning. Still I will- ingly and readily take upon myself all this disagreeableness, if even but few are snatched from eternal perdition, who would not have been saved if no priest had gone there. Perhaps, many of these heathens, who are in the beginning great enemies of Christianity, will be, in a few years, good Christians. The same as it was in Arbre Croche, where they are now all converted, but among whom there are many, who in the beginning gave little hope of conversion, now, however, are exemplary Christians. Perhaps there will be a like success in the new mission on the Grand River. May God grant it !" 1
Baraga's anticipation of great difficul- ties was not without good reason. He had observed on his exploration trip, that there was a Protestant mission with a resident minister. Although he had not met with success, for in nine years he had gained only ten followers to his religion, yet, as Baraga rightly divined, he could prove to be of much annoyance.
Sept. 21 .- the tenth anniversary of his priesthood he stood at the mouth of the
1 Ibidem, p. 17.
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Grand River on his way to the new reser- vation.
On the 23d of September Baraga ar- rived in the place of his new mission. "I made it my first business, after I came here," he writes, "to call the savages to a meeting, announcing to them that I am come not as the first time, only for a short visit, but with the intention of remaining with them in order to instruct them and their children in the true and holy relig- ion, as well as in everything else that is good and beneficial to them. The Cath- olic Indians were much pleased, the pa- gans showed themselves unconcerned, be- ing neither against nor for it. The small minority, however, whom the min- ister, during nine years, had gained for his teaching, did not remain indifferent, but at the instigation of their false proph- et, vehemently opposed my project of establishing a new mission in their vil- lage. After some parleying I spoke myself, and explained to them of what great an advantage a Catholic mission would prove to the inhabitants of this region. The foremost of the Protestant Indians, who was always their spokesman, did not know what to answer. He only main- tained that he was not satisfied with the erection of a new mission in their village, but was unable to offer any obvious rea- son, so that even the simple savages could see how unreasonable his objection was. Finally he ventured to offer the proposi- tion, that I better move higher up the Grand River, where there are also large villages, and that there I might establish my mission tent but not in their village. I at once perceived that the silly talker could neither substantiate his opposition nor take an explanation. I plainly told
him that he had no right to hinder the establishing of a Catholic mission in this village, in which there are already so many Catholics, and that the Catholic In- dians have an equal right to permit their priest to build them a church, school, and house, as the Protestant had, to grant same privileges to their preacher. Then my adversary gave in and the dispute was ended. Thereupon we went to the place, which I had selected for my church and other buildings, and we designated the area of ground to belong to the mis- sion.2
Content with the momentary victory, Baraga set about to establish himself. for the time being, as best he might. Pur- posely he had selected his mission site in the Indian reservations, because he be- lieved that it might greatly influence the red man to accept the Christian religion. Hence he had to rely upon them for any possible accommodation. One of his former converts had during the summer constructed a log house, and this he placed at Baraga's disposition. Baraga fitted it out for a chapel, and at the same time opened a school with twenty-five Indian and four white children.
Among the white settlers on the south side of the river Baraga hoped to find a sufficient number of mechanics, who would put up his church. All efforts proved in vain ; he resolved to go to De- troit. We give his own description of this fatiguing trip. He says, "Last month, ( November) I travelled to De- troit to present myself to the Governor of the Territory of Michigan, and to rec- ommend to him my mission. Himself I
- Letter October 12, 1833. Annals VII.
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did not find in Detroit, but his Secretary assured me that it will please the Gover- nor very much, that I have established myself among the Indians of the Grand River, and that, as soon as he shall have returned to Detroit, he will favorably consider my letter in which I had ex- plained the condition of my new mission.
"Detroit is the capital of the territory of Michigan and also the See of my most reverend Bishop Rese. It is two hundred miles away from my mission, and the road extremely bad. I went there on horseback accompanied by an Indian. It took us seven days to make this painful journey one way. The return trip was even harder. I had hired in Detroit one carpenter, whom I need badly, and an- other laborer. We three had thus the use of one horse, while one rode the other two walked. The roads are so bad that often we sank knee-deep into the mud and only with difficulty made headway. During the last two days we found no house. At the last house we bought all the bread we could get, but it did not suf- fice for three persons during two days, and the last day we had nothing to eat. However we made merry and ran so much faster in order to reach home before night. where we found a frugal meal." 3
With the help at his command, Baraga commenced work on the new church, Oc- tober 14th. It progressed slowly. Two carpenters could accomplish but little dur- ing the short days of the approaching winter. But they worked day after day. Log after log was hewn four sided and placed in the structure. And surely the genius of Baraga demanded some archi-
tectural appearance to his new church! The corners had to be squared and made . quoin-shaped. It took a long time to raise the walls to a sufficient height, and ready for the rafters. While the building was slowly going up, Baraga's. spirits, al- though accustomed to hardships, came to the lowest ebb. His letters seldom betray the suffering which he was compelled to endure. About his present situation however, he says: "My condition, for the present, is very unpleasant and well nigh unbearable, and it will remain so, till my church, school. and house are built. If the timber proves to be as scarce here, as in Arbre Croche, I will be reduced to extreme misery. I am living in a miserable hovel, that resembles more an open milk-house than a dwelling. Not- withstanding the unfavorable season, we continue the work on the church and the house. I have only two laborers, but, although I must say it to their credit, that they work well, how little can two men do!" 4
Baraga experienced four score of years ago, what a priest building a church, school or house, has to contend with to- day.
About the labor he says. "Since the first day here, I endeavored to obtain laborers. I wrote to different places to have them come here, and had almost hope of suc- cess, but in the end no one would come so far, because everyone had enough to do in his own locality. Finally, I found the two who now work for me, but for not less than one dollar and a half a day. To the carpenter, who came with me from Detroit, I pay, however, only one dollar
3 Letter to Leop. Soc .. dated, Grand River, Dec. 1, 1833. Annals VIII., p. 25.
+ Ibidem.
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a day, but must furnish him board, lodg- ing, light and washing. It is hard to be- lieve how high priced the artisans are. These three carpenters, whom I now em- ploy, are not even skilled, but just about passable workmen. Master workmen de- mand commonly three dollars a day." And about the cost of material he contin- ues, "The erection of a new mission, so far from the cities, costs enormously. I am building my church, school, and house as plain as possible, only of logs. Later, in the summer, if I receive sufficient means, I will have them plastered, after the fash- ion so common in America. But even these wooden buildings, hardly large enough for our purposes, cost more than big stone buildings in Europe. Not only mechanics but also materials, boards, nails etc., cost incredibly much money. And yet, such buildings are absolutely necessary to a missionary, even if he should have to pay for them himself, because without them it is impossible to open a successful mis- sion." 5
Numerous conversions gave Baraga great consolation and new courage for en- durance. In less than ten weeks he added upward of one hundred souls to his flock. Attendance at school had also increased to thirty-eight. "O how anxious I am, soon to have a becoming church and a spacious, neat school! The founding of a mission in such a wild and distant country costs much. very much indeed! But, consid- ered from a Christian point of view, all these expenses are nothing when com- pared to the great good accomplished. How many souls are saved from ruin, through the erection of a new mission,
who otherwise would have perished ! And is not one immortal soul worth more than all the moneys of this world Would not Jesus Christ be ready to be crucified anew, if it could not be saved otherwise ? O that the temporal want of means may never hinder my progress in the conversion of these poor savages! I begin to fear this when I reflect on the great outlays, which are absolutely necessary in the establish- ing of my new mission. In this my anxi- ety and fear, I today appear before you, my dear benefactors in my beloved father- land, as intercessor in behalf of my poor savages, deserving of so much pity. I implore you with outstretched hands to have compassion on your unfortunate brethern in this part of the world, who are drifting upon the ways of blind pag- anism toward perdition. You have the great happiness of being christened, and of knowing God and of being on the way that leads to Life. Assist, as much as it is in your power, your pitiable brethren in this country, to obtain the same ines- timable blessing !"
"I am not begging for myself or seek- ing my personal comforts. Those who know me are aware that I am satisfied with few things. However, when I see that only lack of money prevents me from attaining my end. succoring my beloved brethren, then I wish I were rich, in order that with such perishable treasures I may procure for them eternal life." 6
Poverty did not have such dishearten- ing effect upon Baraga as the disrepu- table surroundings in which he was com- pelled to live and move. Paganism, per- meated by the vices of the whiteman, be-
" Letter Dec. 1, 1833. Annals VIII.
6 Letter Dec. 1. 1833. Annals VIII.
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came hideous and repugnant to the ex- treme." The savages are, as a rule, very much addicted to drunkenness, but they have not everywhere an opportunity to
go, offering liquor in exchange for valu- able pelts, so that the Indians in this neighborhood, and in this place particu- larly, are almost continually intoxicated.
LECTURIS SALUTEM!
Presentibus hisce literis testamur, 2. Baraga Frideric. Trebinio - Hypo farmolanum in C. R. Labacensi Scientiarum Lyceo prelectiones, ex arabismo Iligentrofimo exceprofe , atque in examine
publico fecund. semestris in classem primam.
relatum esse.
Mores quod attinet, legibus academicis myprimis conformer- exhibuit.
In quorum fidem has ei manu nostra subscriptas, et Lycei sigillo munitas dedimus.
Labaci die J. mensis Septembris 18212.
Vidi Urbanis Afalbym In thel. Dr: Exciter call. Labancafin Canonica, C. R. Studii Preologici
Director
Siljan SupanMia Professor publ. TUN
FACSIMILE OF BISHOP BARAGA'S ATTENDANCE AT THE CLASSES OF EASTERN LANGUAGES AT THE SEMINARY AT LAIBACH.
indulge in this vice, because they cannot always obtain liquor. But here on the Grand River there are so many fur-trad- ers who follow the Indians wherever they
I have spoken to several of these de- praved traders, who sell their own and the souls of these poor Indians to the hel- lish enemy. In answer I have received
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only insults and threats. They hearken to my words even less than the rudest savage. In revenge they even bring more liquor to the savages, advising them strongly neither to listen to me nor to believe me. They also slander me as much as possible. Under such circum- stances it is evidently difficult to hold mis sions and to convert pagans. However, against God there is no counsel! And yet the number of converts is steadily on the increase, and, through Baptism, many are received into our Holy Church.
"It is a terrible sight to see a savage in a state of intoxication, especially the women. They are then real furies. There are many Indian women here who have no noses. When I came here for the first time, I did not know how to account for it. Inquiring I learned that, when drunk, they attack one another like raging wolves and bite off each others nose. Others, again, have lost one or more fingers in like bacchanalian figlits. The men attack each other with their large knives which they always carry with them. We often hear of murders perpe- trated in drunkenness. My life is here in danger. Every evening I must care- fully and securely bar my doors to guard against a visit of these monsters.
"A few days ago there were many drunken savages in our village. A fur- trader had brought them such quantities of whisky that they kept on drinking four days and four nights. Our Christ- ians were much saddened at this and were in danger themselves. One of my best men almost lost his life in those unlucky days. A drunken wretch came to his house and spoke terribly against religion, and finally wanted to stab him with his
knife. Only with greatest difficulty the Christian Indian averted the calamity. During these same unhappy days I had myself a nocturnal visit from these in- ebriated savages. While they were yet a great distance from the house, their ter- rible shouting aroused me from sleep. When they came to my door they tried to enter and shouted terribly, but I could not understand anything they said. I remained quiet, trusting in the Provi- dence of God. When they realized that they could not get in, they went away howling. Now, when I notice that there are drunken savages in the location, I lock my door as soon as it gets dark.
"In Arbre Croche I had no such un- pleasantness and dangers to face, because almost all the Indians there are converted and the few pagans still there are harm- less. Nevertheless, I have never repented that I have come here, because Arbre Croche is better cared for by my succes- sor, the judicious and zealous Father Saenderl, than it was under my charge. Besides I have the consolation of know- ing that. by the help and grace of God, many have embraced Christian religion, and now lead exemplary lives, who form- erly had no idea of Christianity." Such noble, inspiring words could be penned only by men like Baraga ; men self-sacri- ficing for the betterment of their fellow men and the glory of God. Many a one would have abandoned the field under so extremely difficult circumstances, but Baraga held out! For what? Gold, hon- or? This is his own answer; "Were it not for the ardent desire and the fond hope I cherish that some unhappy souls, now groping in the ways of paganism, which leads to perdition, shall be saved,
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nothing in this world could induce me to stay here, where heathenism, with all its vices, is so deeply rooted, and where be- fore me, no missionary has ever endeav- ored to root it up."?
Baraga met the anticipated difficulties in full. He applied himself all the more to labor and above all to prayer. At no time do his letters betray so great a spirit of prayer as those written from the Grand River. In one of them he earn- estly requests the prayers of his Austrian benefactors for himself and for the suc- cess of his mission. The winter of 1833- 1834 was a mild one. The sugar-making season therefore came early. On the 26th of February some Arbre Croche Indians came to the village with the invi- tation to visit them, in their winter camp, about a day's journey distant. Baraga did not hesitate but undertook at once the tedious journey through swamps and trackless forests. He was as he states himself deeply repaid for the wearisome journey by the hearty reception accorded him by his much beloved former children from Arbre Croche. The earnest and zealous practice of their religion edified him. In the center of their sugar camp they had even erected a temporary chapel. There they assembled daily to perform their devotions in common. They now also made use of the opportunity and went to their Easter duties. Fifteen In- dians were even permitted to receive first Holy Communion. Another day's jour- ney farther were some more Indians, at a place called Mash-Kigong. Baraga went. there principally to visit two, old, sick In- dians. At the same time, as all the In-
7 Letter Feb. 1. 1834. Annals VIII., p. 29. et seq.
dians, of whom only 30 were Christians, promised to accept the Christian religion, upon their request, he selected a site for a new church, which he hoped to dedicate in honor of St. Joseph.
The mission building at the Grand River was in the meanwhile going toward completion. It was a combination of church, school, and house, all under one roof, 50 feet long. 30 feet wide, and 12 feet in height. Contrary to his calcula- tions, Baraga was able to dedicate it much sooner than he expected. He says: "I had hoped to dedicate this new church to the honor of the Blessed Virgin on Pen- tecost Sunday. However, through the special efforts of my carpenters and the blessing of Heaven, I was able to dedi- cate it on the 20th of April. It is not as yet completely finished, but we can with decorum hold our services in it. The dedication day, being the third Sunday after Easter, was really the most solemn we have yet seen in this mission. It was a beautiful spring-day. The serenity of the firmament harmonizing lovely with the joyous festivity. The usual hour for services we walked with happy feelings. in solemn procession to the church. An Indian carried ahead of us the peaceful banner of the cross and planted it in front of the church. Quite a number of pagan Indians and Americans, of whom the greater part profess no religion, followed the procession to witness the dedication ceremony, a thing never seen here be- fore." S
On the 13th of June Baraga paid an- other visit to Mash-Kigong, or St. Jos- eph, as he named it. "The Indians of
8 Letter 24, May 1834. Annals VIII.
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this place anxiously expected me. I have visited this place which the Indians call Mash-Kigong, several times before. Al- though there are many Christians here, there are yet many pagans who will per-
ans work on their church. While I was with them I daily read holy Mass in an Indian house and immediately after Mass they all went to work refreshed and cheered up by religious consolations. I
LECTURIS SALUTEM!
P rasentibus hisce literis testamur AD. Baraga Fridericam Carnial. Sheffiniens in C. R. Labacensi Scientiarum Lyceoprobitioner x universa Theologia morali perdeligenter acpiften , atque in examine publico finali in classem eminentes primam
relatum esse. Mores quod attinet, legibus academicis maxim is conformes exhibuit.
In quorum fidem has ei manu nostra subscriptas, et Lycei sigillo munitas dedimus. Labaci die 30. mensis augusti 1894.
Vidi
Culundi comunicas C. R. Studii Robyn
Professor publ. eso. Theologia moralis .
Director.
FACSIMILE OF BISHOP BARAGA'S CERTIFICATE OF MORAL THEOLOGY AT THE SEMINARY OF LAIBACH.
haps be converted by and by. At the time of my last visit, last winter, we had se- lected a site where the new church shall be built, and this time I had the consolation of seeing with what zeal these good Indi-
baptized on this occasion ten, mostly grown up Indians, who had been prepar- ing for the holy baptism, since my pre- vious visit." 9
" Letter June 26, 1834. Annals VIII.
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The Grand River region had many set- tlements of Indians, but they were usually far apart. Baraga found it therefore dif- ficult to visit them often, which was nec- essary to effect conversions. All summer he went from village to village. His suc- cess must have been remarkable, for al- ready the 26th of June, he writes to the Leopoldine Society: "With heartfelt sat- isfaction, I make known to you that con- siderable progress has been made in the conversion of the poor pagan savages of this new mission, and that there are ever new hopes for advancement. I have firm hopes of bringing to the fold, through the Sacrament of Baptism, many pagans from this village as well as from other outside places, within the precinct of this mission."
In September Baraga made a two days' excursion up the river, in order to reach a small village of only five or six wig- wams. He had sent there, during high summer, a well instructed Indian, who prepared the way for him. Some he found well disposed and others stub- bornly resisting the grace of conversion. Four whole families, men, women and their children, were christened.
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