CLOSING EXERCISES AT SANTEE NORMAL TRAINING SCHOOL.
A beautiful feature of the Commencement season here at Santee was the communion service of last Sunday, at which time six young Indian men came forward from among their companions and publicly united themselves to God’s people! We call them boys, but they are not boys; they are old enough to realize the position they now occupy, and it has come to them only after the long, hard struggle which seems always to insure earnest lives for the future. Most beautiful of all was the baptism! Tears rolled down their cheeks as they bent for a blessing from the white man’s God and their God.
The eyes of the teachers, who had prayed and labored so earnestly for this very occasion, were filled to overflowing. Five different tribes were represented by these boys: Mandan, Ree, Assinaboine, Yanktonais and Titon. Two of the young men are the sons of chiefs still in their blankets, who, recognizing the great needs of their people, are urging their sons on to more earnest study, so that they may come back as missionaries to those who wait for them as for deliverers.
It would seem enough of an achievement that these scores of Indian boys and girls have been brought out of the superstition, the unbelief, the savagery of their tribes, into the customs, manners and religion of civilization, even if the work stopped there; but the three days following the communion Sabbath have shown such results in regard to a growth as well as change of mind, that to one seeing the work for the first time it is simply marvelous.
It is one thing to sit in an Eastern audience and listen to the most earnest recital of the needs of, and work among, the Indians, and to say, “O, yes, the needs are very great; the work is glorious; we fully understand your solution of the ‘Indian problem’; we agree with you and aid you!” (while in a day the needs are forgotten, and the work is overlooked). It is another thing to stand here on the ground and listen to the silent appeals of these hundreds of thirsty human souls—appeals that are all the stronger because of their utter helplessness. Another thing is it to stand and behold the work already done, and the change already made! To see with our own eyes is to wonder and believe, in such a way that we can never forget. Would that all men might not only hear, but see!
On Friday, the 24th, began the yearly examinations of the Santee Normal Training School. Teachers and scholars were alive to the duties placed upon them, and the end of the seventeenth year found all active as ever. The recitations extended throughout Friday, Monday and Tuesday, and visitors from the Agency and surrounding towns were made welcome. The school-rooms, thrown open together, were well filled during most of the sessions. Especially interesting was the map-drawing and accompanying recitation by the older geography students. The recitation showed that an Indian may have as clear and correct an idea of the formation of this earth and its divisions into hemispheres, countries, etc., as any white boy. The maps were accurately and admirably drawn. The language lessons were novel, and showed good work on the part of the teachers. Stories were read to the students which they were asked to re-write in as good English as possible. The following from a boy brought into the school last fall, is a good illustration of the way in which they think and speak in English: “We get all our silk from a little creature called worm. The little creature is green color. She lay number of eggs and then died, and they have never seen their children and father.”
Music is by no means drudgery to the Indians. Passionately fond of it, they practice with patience, and the results have been more than satisfactory. Considering the lack of all discipline in their natures, the examinations this year, both in vocal and instrumental music, have been remarkable. Those thousands in the East who heard, last winter, the singing of the Santee quintette, can easily believe that this is true.
Gymnastics have been practiced as a means of teaching accuracy and quickness of thought. The precision acquired by the students shows that it has been a good discipline, and would do credit to any school.
The recitations in mathematics were good. The work in algebra deserves special mention. One thing is very evident in studying the school work here; that is, that while in everything requiring simple memory the Indian is fully equal to the white boy, perhaps more than equal, his reasoning faculties are much behind, on account of the lack of such faculties in the generations of his ancestors; so mathematical work requires patient plodding, month after month, for each step gained. There is very great need of such discipline among this people, and it is one of the most difficult things in this work of education and Christianization.
Twenty minutes were given on Monday to the workings of a model normal class in botany. It was most unique, carried on wholly by the advanced students. They showed clearly the most approved manner and methods not only of teaching, but also of learning. The whole was skillfully and understandingly done.
Tuesday evening was devoted to a literary entertainment. Space allows only of a word or two in regard to it. A former graduate of Santee, who is now one of its teachers, read an essay on “Civilization” well worth repeating. He began with the earliest known civilization before Christ; came down through the centuries with examples proving Christianity to be the mainspring of modern civilization, ending with a touching picture of the angels of God looking down upon this, the greatest nation of the world, and watching anxiously to see it turn a listening ear to the plea of the poor Indian for this very knowledge of God, which he realizes is his only salvation, his only path to the civilization for which he longs. Beautifully pathetic were the words in which he spoke of our common brotherhood and of the longing of his people for better things.
On Wednesday morning the exercises opened with a battalion drill, and later, time was given to an exhibition of the industrial work of the students. The blacksmith, carpenter and shoe shops held proof of good solid work on the part of the boys; while the needle-work of the girls and small boys was exceptional. The talent for free-hand drawing is very general among the Indians, and the collection of specimens was good.
The exercises closed on Wednesday evening with a social gathering in the large dining hall. There were present all the boys and girls of the school, the teachers, employees, and many visitors. Blanketed Indians mingled with the rest, and many nationalities were represented. It was a novel company, but all were happy and glad. With the close of the evening, Santee finished a successful year. Very early on Thursday morning nearly a score of the students were busy with preparations for departure. In the quiet of the dawn some of us heard the sound of music, most unusual at this hour; and one of the teachers venturing to the chapel, found the young men holding a meeting for prayer. It was their own idea; they had waked one another quietly for it. It was the surest safeguard against the temptations they were going out to meet. This single incident shows better than words the missionary spirit pervading the whole school. And so, to-day, with the departure of the students, goes out the gospel influence of Santee—far North into Canada, East into Minnesota, and West into Montana, never to diminish, but to grow and spread until the white man’s God shall be indeed the God of all the Indians.
What is true of the advance of the pupils of Santee is indicative of the advance of the whole people. There is surely a bright day coming for the Indian.
MRS. CHAS. W. SHELTON.