The church membership, 178, has had some twenty-five additions the past year, as the result of a revival in the fall and winter of ’77–78. Two or three of its members have been licensed to preach the gospel. Exception to the rules of the Methodist Church is made, and Mr. Ford is now on his sixth year at this post, being found peculiarly fitted for work among the Indians, whom he well understands, having lived with this and other tribes of the State.
The Episcopal Mission-school has enrolled 114, many of whom are induced to come by gifts of clothing, etc., supplied by the Episcopal Mission. Average attendance for the year forty-five and two-ninths. The Episcopal Church is well attended by a serious and devout congregation on the Sabbath. Membership 150.
Although there is a lodge of Good Templars with this tribe, I regret to say that some of the members do not realize the sacredness of their oath as they should, and falling from grace is no uncommon occurrence; yet it has brought about a radical change with some who have been confirmed drunkards for many years.
The Menomonees have shown a wonderful spirit of thrift and enterprise the past year, putting 200 or more acres of new land under cultivation. Permission having been granted by the Department, it is proposed to hold a fair the last week in September, with a list of prizes for the best and second best productions of their crops, stock of all kinds, and manufactured articles by the women. Two hundred dollars in silver coin is to be given. This is creating a spirited impetus to good work, and lively times are expected on Fair-day.
The schools of this tribe have, we regret to say, taken a step backwards. In 1876, through the advice of Inspector Watkins, the day-schools were consolidated into a Manual Labor and Boarding School at Keshena, which far exceeded our most sanguine expectations in numbers and interest. The breaking out of the scarlet fever, in the fall term of 1877, compelled us to close the school, with but four or five weeks’ teaching. It was renewed on the 6th of January, but, owing to the non reply to letters, and the omission of instructions from the bureau, only eight weeks’ schooling has been had since January 1st.
At the present time we are waiting permission to employ a matron (as necessary to the success of the school as a teacher). This delay is to be greatly regretted, as fifty children could be easily gathered (the limit of our poor accommodations), while the day-school has an average of less than ten.
Crime and drunkenness is greatly on the decrease; not a case of any magnitude of the former, and but a very few cases of the latter, coming to my notice for the past year. This is a very hopeful sign with this tribe, many of whom are wishing to become citizens.
With the exception of scarlet fever, in a very mild form, among the Menomonees, the sanitary condition has been excellent with these people.
As you are aware, the religion of this tribe is about equally divided between the Pagan and Catholic, the former adhering closely to their rites and ceremonies, as for worship and the burial of their dead; and, when standing by, as they render their thanks to the Great Spirit for “our homes,” “our friends,” “our food,” asking His protection “from storms,” “from disease,” and, “when taken into the happy hunting-ground,” to be “found in favor,” etc., one cannot but feel that “He” who “is no respecter of persons” accepts their thanks and hears their petitions, although accompanied with the shaking of gourds and the pounding upon an Indian drum, instead of the grand Te Deum from the organs of our city churches.
While the soil for Christian labor is unfavorable, and tares find root, to the choking out of good seed sown, yet we should take heart in the increasing desire on their part for better homes and farms, and the laying aside of the wigwam for good houses, the gun and rod for the plow and hoe. A slow and certain improvement in their habits from year to year is observable, and with kindness, honest dealing and right influence, the time is not so very far in the future when they can and will take a place in our nation, not a whit behind many pale faces.