Santee Agency, Neb.—We remembered the week of prayer by services in the chapel every evening, except on Thursday and Saturday, when we held the meetings in the afternoon for the convenience of our Indians who live at a distance from the Mission. The spirit of prayer rested upon all of our several school boarding halls, and we felt that the mercy seat had come near.
The line of instruction in these meetings was concerning the Holy Spirit as enlightening the mind, convicting of sin, revealing Christ to the soul, and abiding with the believer.
Our young men very generally took part in prayer. And their prayers showed a clear understanding of the truths spoken, and deep feeling with regard to their own needs and the wonderful revelation of the mercy of Christ. And they seemed to open their hearts to the ministry of the Spirit.
The same spirit of tender prayerfulness and devotion to the Master was manifest among the girls, a number of them coming out as candidates for church membership and eagerly forming a class for the study of the Catechism.
In the middle of these days of prayer, we were startled by the word that came from a brother missionary's family, the Rev. J. P. Williamson, at Yankton Agency, Dakota, that his children were all sick with scarlet fever, that one was dead and another dying. We took their burden on our hearts in prayer. And the merciful Father spared the one on the borders of death.
By this I was called away from Santee for two days to attend the burial of the dear missionary child that was taken. But I found no interruption of interest when I returned. Thus, all in all, the experiences of this week have been very precious, and we believe that larger fruits of it are yet to appear.
Alfred L. Riggs.