HUT AND HEAVEN.
BY REV. C. L. HALL, FT. BERTHOLD, N. D.
Three years ago in our visit to the Indian homes, we found Netkuschiripas (Little Eagle) on his bed unable to get out of the house. Mary, his wife, washed for white people, hoed corn, and tenderly cared for him. He told me he believed in Jesus and would join us as soon as he could come out. It did not seem that he ever would get better then, but his faith put new life into his body, and two years and a half ago he was baptized in church, and got about to do a little work now and then. This fall his working days came to an end. He could only lie on his bed or sit in the sun at the door. Mary had to haul the firewood and nurse him, as well as work out. For a while they stayed at a neighbor's house, but an old Indian woman insisted that he should wear his beads and other heathen adornments. He refused to do so, saying that now he was a different person. As this annoyance was kept up he and Mary left and stayed by themselves in a dug-out on the south side of a bank on the edge of a willow bottom. His bed was a few boards with a straw mattress and a few quilts. The room was lighted by a single sash—the rude shelter of two of God's children. When he felt himself sinking, he said: I do not know what God's will for me is, but whatever it is I am ready. I have no fears. The day before he died he said: I have one heart. I trust only in Jesus; I have said this to you often. We laid him away just after the morning meeting last Sunday. This is not extraordinary; we are glad so many are like John and Mary. Twice the gates have opened this winter for us, and now part of our church gather above and part here. Five more are to confess their faith at the next communion. Pray for these little ones.