ITEMS FROM INDIAN MISSIONS.
SECRETARY C. J. RYDER.
At Santee Industrial School and Mission in Nebraska they have suffered a sad bereavement. The place left vacant by Mrs. Frederick B. Riggs, who has just been taken away from the loving circle of missionary workers at this station cannot be filled. Her absence will be much more than the loss of one faithful missionary. She was the life, the light and the inspiration of any circle in which she moved. The brief tribute in another column to her memory calls attention to her wide usefulness. When we met in the Mission Council last year at Oahe, S. D., Mrs. Riggs's bright and confident faith lifted up all our hearts bowed down as they were by discouragement in view of the vast work to be accomplished and the retrenchment in funds. All who were present at this Council will remember how sure she was that light would come after the darkness, and that joy would come in the morning. There[pg 168] has come to her the richest, fullest light and joy of the better country. When we meet at the Council this year we shall be the richer for her strong faith and the abiding presence of her self-sacrificing love.
Santee Industrial School, through the rigid economy of Dr. Riggs and his faithful assistants, has enrolled more pupils than the appropriation permitted. Notwithstanding this, hundreds have been turned from the school because the funds were not sufficient to furnish them Christian instruction.
From Oahe comes the report that Rev. T. L. Riggs is gradually recovering the use of his eyes. Rev. James F. Cross, of Rosebud, has been assisting Brother Riggs during his sore affliction.
We are sometimes asked whether the hospital at Fort Yates is now in operation. It is not. Last year, by special solicitation, additional funds were gathered sufficient to conduct the hospital for one year. This was done. A hospital plant is always expensive, as it involves the salary of a trained physician and an assistant, together with medicines and other supplies. This year the funds have not come in outside of current receipts sufficient to provide for the expenses of the hospital, and it is, therefore, closed. This is to the serious loss of the religious work. Word comes from the prairie that the Indians, women and children especially, mourn sorely the loss of this hospital and the considerate and skillful care of our faithful physician.
Miss M. P. Lord, whose address at the annual meeting in Lowell attracted so general interest, remained in the East for some weeks presenting the Indian work to the churches, Christian Endeavor Societies and women's missionary societies. Her work was confined to New England. She remained as long as it seemed wise for her to be absent from the pressing duties of her mission, to which she has now returned.
The following letter was recently received from her.
"In the Land of the Dakotas,
Little Eagle's Village, March 25, 1895.